Department of Health & Human Services
Administration for Children and Families

Federal Agency Name
Administration for Children and Families, Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB)

Funding Opportunity Title: FY 2004 Basic Center Program (BCP)

Announcement Type: Initial

Funding Opportunity Number: HHS-2004-ACF-ACYF-CY-0011

CFDA Number: 93.623

Due Date: The due date for receipt of applications is June 4, 2004.

 
I. Funding Opportunity Description

A. Background: Basic Center Program

    The Runaway and Homeless Youth Act of 1974 was a response to 
widespread concern regarding the alarming number of youth who were 
leaving home without parental permission, crossing State lines and who, 
while away from home, were exposed to exploitation and other dangers of 
street life. The purpose of Part A of the RHY Act is to establish or 
strengthen locally-controlled, community-based and faith-based programs 
that address the immediate needs of runaway and homeless youth and 
their Families. Services must be delivered outside of the law 
enforcement, child welfare, mental health and juvenile justice systems.
    The Basic Center Program was one of the programs authorized under 
Part A of the Act to address the runaway and homeless youth problems. 
The goals of the Basic Center Program are as follows:
    . Alleviate problems of runaway and homeless 
youth;
    . Reunite youth with their Families and encourage 
the resolution of intra-family problems through counseling and other 
services;
    . Strengthen family relationships and encourage 
stable living conditions for youth; and
    . Help youth decide upon constructive courses of 
action.

    Each Basic Center program is required to provide outreach to 
runaway and homeless youth; temporary shelter for up to fifteen (15) 
days; food; clothing; individual, group and family counseling; 
aftercare and referrals, as appropriate. Basic Center programs are 
required to provide their services in residential settings. Some 
programs also provide some or all of their shelter 
services through host homes (usually private homes under contract to 
the centers) with counseling and referrals being provided from a 
central location. Basic Center programs shelter youth through 18 years 
of age at risk of separation from the family and who have a history of 
running away from the family. Basic Centers must provide age 
appropriate services or referrals for homeless youth ages 18-21.
    The primary presenting problems of youth who receive shelter and 
non-shelter services through FYSB-funded Basic Centers include: (1) 
Family conflicts; (2) physical, sexual and emotional abuse; (3) 
divorce, death or sudden loss of income; and (4) personal problems such 
as drug use, problems with peers, school attendance and truancy, bad 
grades, inability to get along with teachers and learning disabilities.
    The Family and Youth Services Bureau has worked to promote a 
positive youth development framework for all FYSB funded grant programs 
(including the Basic Center Programs) and activities. Applicants are 
advised to be mindful of this fact in responding to the evaluation 
criteria.
    The positive youth development approach is predicated on the 
understanding that all young people need support, guidance and 
opportunities during adolescence, a time of rapid growth and change. 
With this support, they can develop self-assurance and create a 
healthy, successful life.
    Key elements of positive youth development are:
    . Healthy messages to adolescents about their 
bodies, their behaviors and their interactions;
    . Safe and structured places for teens to study, 
recreate and socialize;
    . Strengthened relationships with adult role 
models, such as parents, mentors, coaches or community leaders;
    . Skill development in literacy, competence, work 
readiness and social skills; and
    . Opportunities to self-esteem.

    If these factors are being addressed, young people can become not 
just ``problem free'' but ``fully-prepared'' and engaged constructively 
in their communities and society.
    These key elements result in the following outcomes:
    . Increased opportunities and avenues for the 
positive use of time;
    . Increased opportunities for positive self-
expression; and
    . Increased opportunities for youth participation 
and civic engagement.
    It is FYSB's hope and expectation that awareness of this positive 
youth development approach and its importance for serving youth will 
increase. The FYSB publication, Understanding Youth Development: 
Promoting Positive Pathways of Growth and Reconnecting Youth and 
Community: A Youth Development Approach is widely distributed as source 
documents for positive youth development concepts and applications. It 
is currently available from FYSB National Clearinghouse on Families and 
Youth (NCFY) at http://www.ncfy.com (301-608-8098). Additionally, a 
recent Statement of Principles for Positive Youth Development, endorsed 
by a broad range of agencies, institutions and organizations, may be 
found in the brochure: Toward A Blueprint For Youth: Making Positive 
Youth Development A National Priority. Multiple copies of this resource 
are available from NCFY or it can be found online at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/fysb.


B. Legislative Authority

    Grants for Runaway and Homeless Youth programs are authorized by 
the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (Title III of the Juvenile Justice 
and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974), as amended by the Runaway, 
Homeless, and Missing Children Protection Act of 2003, Public Law 108-
96. Text of the statute may be found at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/fysb.


C. Definitions

    These definitions may be found at section 387 of the RHY Act, as 
amended in 1999.
    Homeless Youth--The term ``homeless youth'' means an individual who 
is not more than 21 years of age, in the case of a youth seeking 
shelter in a center under part A, not more than 18 years of age, and 
for the purposes of part B, not less than 16 years of age, for whom it 
is not possible to live in a safe environment with a relative; and who 
has no other safe alternative living arrangement.
    Street Youth--The term ``street youth'' means an individual who is 
a runaway youth; or indefinitely or intermittently a homeless youth; 
and spends a significant amount of time on the street or in other areas 
that increase the risk to such youth for sexual abuse, sexual 
exploitation, prostitution, or drug abuse.
    Youth at Risk of Separation from the Family--The term ``youth at 
risk of separation from the family'' means an individual who is less 
than 18 years of age; and who has a history of running away from the 
family of such individual whose parent, guardian, or custodian is not 
willing to provide for the basic needs of such individual; or who is at 
risk of entering the child welfare system or juvenile justice system as 
a result of the lack of services available to the family to meet such 
needs.
    Drug Abuse Education and Prevention Services--The term ``drug abuse 
education and prevention services'' means services to runaway and 
homeless youth to prevent or reduce the illicit use of drugs by such 
youth; and may include individual, family, group, and peer counseling; 
drop-in services; assistance to runaway and homeless youth in rural 
areas (including the development of community support groups); 
information and training relating to the illicit use of drugs by 
runaway and homeless youth, to individuals involved in providing 
services to such youth; and activities to improve the availability of 
local drug abuse prevention services to runaway and homeless youth.
    Home-Based Services--The term ``home-based services'' means 
services provided to youth and their Families for the purpose of 
preventing such youth from running away, or otherwise becoming 
separated, from their Families; and assisting runaway youth to return 
to their Families; and includes services that are provided in the 
residences of Families (to the extent practicable), including intensive 
individual and family counseling; and training relating to life skills 
and parenting.
    Street-Based Services--The term ``street-based services'' means 
services provided to runaway and homeless youth, and street youth, in 
areas where they congregate, designed to assist such youth in making 
healthy personal choices regarding where they live and how they behave; 
and may include identification of and outreach to runaway and homeless 
youth, and street youth; crisis intervention and counseling; 
information and referral for housing; information and referral for 
transitional living and health care services; advocacy, education, and 
prevention services related to alcohol and drug abuse; sexual 
exploitation; sexually transmitted diseases, including human 
immunodeficiency virus (HIV); and physical and sexual assault.
    Transitional Living Youth Project--The term ``transitional living 
youth project'' means a project that provides shelter and services 
designed to promote a transition to self-sufficient living and to 
prevent long-term dependency on social services.
    Public Agency--The term ``public agency'' means any State, unit of 
local government, Indian tribe and tribal organization, combination of 
such States or units, or any agency, department, or
instrumentality of any of the foregoing. This definition applies to all 
runaway and homeless youth programs funded under this announcement.
    Shelter--The term ``shelter'' includes host homes, group homes and 
supervised apartments. As currently understood in the field: ``Host 
homes'' are facilities providing shelter, usually in the home of a 
family, under contract to accept runaway and/or homeless youth assigned 
by the RHY service provider and are licensed according to State or 
local laws. ``Group homes'' are single-site residential facilities 
designed to house RHY clients who may be new to the program or may 
require a higher level of supervision. These dwellings operate in 
accordance with State or local housing codes and licensure. 
``Supervised apartment'' is a single unit dwelling or multiple unit 
apartment house operated under the auspices of the TLP service provider 
for the purpose of housing program participants.
    Street Based Outreach and Education--The term ``street-based 
outreach and education'' includes education and prevention efforts 
directed at youth that are victims of offenses committed by offenders 
who are and are not known to the victim.
    Temporary Shelter--The term ``temporary shelter'' means the 
provision of short-term (maximum of 15 days) room and board and core 
crisis intervention services on a 24-hour basis.
    State--The term ``State'' means any State of the United States, the 
District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin 
Islands, Guam, American Samoa and the Commonwealth of the Northern 
Marianas.
    Training--The term ``training'' means the provision of local, 
State, or regionally based instruction to runaway and homeless youth 
service providers in skill areas that will directly strengthen service 
delivery.
    Technical Assistance--The term ``technical assistance'' means the 
provision of expertise, consultation and/or support for the purpose of 
strengthening the capabilities of grantee organizations to deliver 
services.
 
 
II. Award Information

Funding Instrument Type: Grant.
Anticipated Total Priority Area Funding: $17.4 million in FY2004.
Anticipated Number of Awards: 180.
Ceiling on Amount of Individual Awards: $200,000 per budget period.
Floor of Individual Award Amounts: None.
Average Anticipated Award Amount: $128,000 per budget period.
Project Periods: This announcement invites applications for project 
periods up to three years. Awards, however, will be made on a 
competitive basis for a one-year budget period. Applications for 
continuation grants funded under these awards beyond the one-year 
budget period but within the three year project period will be 
entertained in subsequent years on a noncompetitive basis, subject to 
availability of funds, satisfactory progress of the grantee and a 
determination that continued funding would be in the best interest of 
the Government.
 
 
III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

    County governments, city or township governments , special district 
governments, State controlled institutions of higher education, Native 
American tribal governments (federally recognized), Native American 
tribal organizations (other than federally-recognized tribal 
governments), nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status, nonprofits that do 
not have a 501(c) with the IRS, other than institutions of higher 
education, and faith-based organizations.

Additional Information on Eligibility
    Faith-based organizations are eligible applicants.
    Current Basic Center grantees with project periods ending on or 
before September 29, 2004, and all other eligible applicants not 
currently receiving Basic Center funds may apply for a new competitive 
Basic Center grant under this announcement.
    Current Basic Center Program grantees (including subgrantees) with 
one or two years remaining on their current grant and the expectation 
of continuation funding in FY 2004 may not apply for a new Basic Center 
grant for the community they currently serve. These grantees will 
receive instructions from their respective ACF Runaway and Homeless 
Youth (RHY) Regional Office contacts on the procedures for applying for 
noncompetitive continuation grants. Current grantees that have 
questions regarding their eligibility to apply for new funds, should 
consult with the appropriate Regional Office Youth Contact, listed in 
Part VIII, Appendix B, to determine if they are eligible to apply for a 
new grant award.
    The funds available for new awards and continuations in each State 
and insular area are listed in the Table of Allocations by State (Part 
VIII, Appendix D). In this Table, the amounts shown in the ``New 
Awards'' column are the amounts available for competition under this 
announcement. The number of new awards made within each State depends 
upon the amount of the State's total allotment less the amount required 
for non-competing continuations, as well as on the number of acceptable 
applications. Therefore, where the amount required for non-competing 
continuations in any State equals or exceeds the State's total 
allotment, it is possible that no new awards will be made in the State. 
However, agencies in States where zero ($ -0-) funding is reflected on 
the BCP Table of Allocation are highly encouraged to apply for grant 
funding in the event that additional funding becomes available.
    All applicants under this competitive grant area will compete with 
other eligible applicants in the State in which they propose to deliver 
services. In the event that there are insufficient numbers of 
applications approved for funding in any State or jurisdiction, the 
unused funds will be reallocated to other Basic Center Program 
applicants.
    Non-profit organizations applying for funding are required to 
submit proof of their non-profit status.
    Proof of non-profit status is any one of the following:
    (a) A reference to the applicant organization's listing in the 
Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) most recent list of tax-exempt 
organizations described in the IRS code.
    (b) A copy of a currently valid IRS tax exemption certificate.
    (c) A statement from a State taxing body, State Attorney General, 
or other appropriate State official certifying that the applicant 
organization has a non-profit status and that none of the net earnings 
accrue to any private shareholders or individuals.
    (d) A certified copy of the organization's certificate of 
incorporation or similar document that clearly establishes non-profit 
status.
    (e) Any of the items in the subparagraphs immediately above for a 
State or national parent organization and a statement signed by the 
parent organization that the applicant organization is a local non-
profit affiliate.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

    Yes.
    Applicant Share of Project Costs: The applicant must provide a non-
Federal share or match of at least ten percent (10%) of the Federal 
funds awarded. (There may be certain exceptions for tribes with ``638'' 
funding pursuant to Pub. L. 93-638, under which certain Federal grants 
may qualify as matching funds for other Federal grant programs, e.g., 
those which contribute to the
purposes for which grants under section 638 were made.) 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 three-year project costing $600,000 in 
Federal funds (based on an award of $200,000 per 12-month budget 
period) must provide a match of at least $60,000 ($20,000 per budget 
period).

3. Other

    All applicants must have a DUNS & Bradstreet Number. On June 27, 
2003, the Office of Management and Budget published in the Federal 
Register a new Federal policy applicable to all Federal grant 
applicants. The policy requires all Federal grant applicants to provide 
a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number when 
applying for Federal grants or cooperative agreements on or after 
October 1, 2003. The DUNS number will be required whether an applicant 
is submitting a paper application or using the government-wide 
electronic portal (http://www.Grants.gov). A DUNS number will be 
required for every application for a new award or renewal/continuation 
of an award, including applications or plans under formula, entitlement 
and block grant programs, submitted on or after October 1, 2003.
    Please ensure that your organization has a DUNS number. You may 
acquire a DUNS number at no cost by calling the dedicated toll-free 
DUNS number request line on 1-866-705-5711 or you may request a number 
on-line at http://www.dnb.com.
 

IV. Application and Submission Information

1. Address To Request Information

    ACYF Operations Center, c/o the Dixon Group, Inc., 118 Q Street, 
NE., Washington, DC 20002-2132; telephone: 1-866-796-1591, e-mail: FYSB@dixongroup.com.


2. Content and Form of Application Submission

    An original and two copies of the complete application are 
required. The original and two copies must include all required forms, 
certifications, assurances, and appendices, be signed by an authorized 
representative, have original signatures and be submitted unbound. All 
applications must be stapled well in the upper left corner to prevent 
separation of any part of the complete application and submitted in a 
single package. Applicants have the option of omitting from the 
application copies (not the original) specific salary rates or amounts 
for individuals specified in the application budget.
    You may submit your application to us in either electronic or paper 
format. To submit an application electronically, please use the http://www.Grants.gov
apply site. If you use Grants.gov, you will be able to 
download a copy of the application package, complete it off-line, and 
then upload and submit the application via the Grants.gov site. You may 
not e-mail an electronic copy of a grant application to us.
    Please note the following if you plan to submit your application 
electronically via http://www.Grants.Gov.

    . Electronic submission is voluntary.
    . When you enter the Grants.gov site, you will 
find information about submitting an application electronically through 
the site, as well as the hours of operation. We strongly recommend that 
you do not wait until the application deadline date to begin the 
application process through Grants.gov.
    . To use Grants.gov, you, as the applicant, must 
have a DUNS Number and register in the Central Contractor Registry 
(CCR). You should allow a minimum of five days to complete the CCR 
registration.
    . You will not receive additional point value 
because you submit a grant application in electronic format, nor will 
we penalize you if you submit an application in paper format.
    . You may submit all documents electronically, 
including all information typically included on the SF 424 and all 
necessary assurances and certifications.
    . Your application must comply with any page 
limitation requirements described in this program announcement.
    . After you electronically submit your 
application, you will receive an automatic acknowledgement from 
Grants.gov that contains a Grants.gov tracking number. The 
Administration for Children and Families will retrieve your application 
from Grants.
    . We may request that you provide original 
signatures on forms at a later date.
    . You may access the electronic application for 
this program on http://www.Grants.gov.
    . You must search for the downloadable application 
package by the CFDA number.
    Private non-profit organizations may voluntarily submit with their 
applications the survey located under ``Grant Related Documents and 
Forms'' titled ``Survey for Private, Non-Profit Grant Applicants'' at 
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm.

Application Requirements
    Each application will be duplicated, therefore, do not use or 
include separate covers, binders, clips, tabs, plastic inserts, folded 
maps, brochures or any other items that cannot be processed easily on a 
photocopy machine with an automatic feed. Do not bind, clip, staple, or 
fasten in any way separate subsections of the application, including 
supporting documentation.
    Project Description: Each application may include only one proposed 
project. Describe the project clearly in 40 pages or less (not counting 
budget narrative justification, supplemental documentation, letters of 
support) using the outline and guidelines for each program area. The 
description must be 12-point Times Roman font, double spaced, and 
single-sided on 8\1/2\ x 11 inches plain white paper with at least 1 
inch margins. Pages over the limit will be removed from the application 
and will not be reviewed.
    Project Summary/Abstract (one page maximum): Clearly mark this page 
with the applicant name as shown on item 5 of the SF 424 and the 
service area as shown in item 12 of the SF 424. Also, include telephone 
number and e-mail address. The summary description is limited to one 
page. Care should be taken to produce a summary which accurately and 
concisely reflects the proposed project. It should describe the 
objectives of the project, the approach to be used and the results and 
benefits expected.
    Supplemental Documentation: The maximum number of pages for 
supplemental documentation is 10 pages. The supplemental documentation, 
subject to the 10-page limit, must be numbered and may include brief 
resumes, position descriptions, maps, organization charts, etc. 
Supplemental documentation over the 10-page limit will not be reviewed.
    Letters of Support: Applicants are encouraged to provide letters of 
support, if appropriate or applicable, in relationship to the project 
description. Letters of support are limited to 10.
    Sub-grant/Contractual Agreements: Applicants should provide brief 
summaries of proposed sub-grants or contractual agreements. Applicable 
agreements are those between the grantee and cooperating entities which 
support or complement the provision of mandated services to runaway and 
homeless youth as reflected in the project description. Summaries of 
agreements are not counted as part of the 40-page project description 
limit, nor the 10-page supplemental documentation limit.

Forms and Certifications
    An Application for Federal Assistance (Standard Form 424) must be 
fully completed and submitted by the due date to the address stated 
above. If more than one agency is involved in submitting a single 
application, one entity must be identified as the applicant 
organization which will have legal responsibility for the grant. Use 
the addition guidance below to complete the form:
    . Item 6: Insure the accuracy of Employer 
Identification Number (EIN). This number is provided to an organization 
by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
    . Item 10: clearly state the Catalog of Federal 
Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number (93.623) and title of the program 
(Basic Center Program).
    . Item 13: Proposed Project Start Date is 09/30/
2004; End Date is 09/29/2007.
    . Item 14: Include the Congressional District 
where the applicant is located in (a) and other district(s) affected by 
the project in (b). An applicant may insure the accuracy of its 
district(s) via the following Web site address: http://www.house.gov/writerep/.
 Once in the site: Select your State, enter your zip code, 
including the 4-digit zip code extension, then click ``contact my 
representative''.
    Standard Form 424A (Budget Information Form and Budget 
Justification): The budget justification includes a detailed budget and 
a narrative justification. Refer to the ``Budget and Budget 
Justification'' evaluation criteria in Part II for more guidance. The 
budget justification should be typed on standard size plain white 
paper. The detailed budget must include breakdowns for major budget 
categories. In the budget narrative, describe and justify all costs. 
List amounts and sources of all funds, both Federal and non-Federal, 
proposed for this project.

    Note: Applicant should refer to the UPD Requirement guidance 
when preparing the budget and narrative budget justification. Place 
the budget/narrative budget justification after form 424A. These 
documents do not count against any page limitation.
    Assurances Form: Applicants requesting financial assistance for 
non-construction projects must file the Standard Form 424B, 
``Assurances: Non-Construction Programs.'' Applicants must sign and 
return the Standard Form 424B with their applications.
    Certification Regarding Lobbying, Standard Form LLL Disclosure of 
Lobbying Activities: Applicants must disclose lobbying activities on 
the form when applying for an award in excess of $100,000. Applicants 
who have used non-Federal funds for lobbying activities in connection 
with receiving assistance under this announcement shall complete a 
disclosure form to report lobbying. Applicants must sign and return the 
disclosure form, if applicable, with their applications.
    Certification Regarding Environmental Tobacco Smoke: Applicants are 
not required to return a signed certification. As stated on the 
certification, by signing and submitting an application , the applicant 
certifies compliance with the requirements of Pub. L. 103227, part C, 
Environmental Tobacco Smoke.
Availability of Forms and Other Materials
    Legislation referenced in section I of this announcement may be 
found at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/fysb/grant.htm (click on the 
link to
    ``Missing, Exploited, and Runaway Children Protection Act'').
    Additional copies of this announcement may be downloaded from this 
Web site: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/fysb.

    Many standard forms can also be downloaded and printed from the 
following ACF Web page: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/grants/form.htm.


3. Submission Date and Time

    The closing time and date for receipt of applications is 4:30 p.m. 
eastern standard time (e.s.t.) on June 4, 2004. Mailed or hand carried 
applications received after 4:30 p.m. on the closing date will be 
classified as late. Mailed applications shall be considered as meeting 
an announced deadline if they are received on or before the deadline 
time and date at the following address: ACYF Operations Center, c/o the 
Dixon Group, Inc., 118 Q Street, NE., Washington, DC 20002-2132; 
telephone: 1-866-796-1591.
    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, other 
representatives of the applicant, 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 a.m. 
and 4:30 p.m., e.s.t., at the following address:
    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 application deadlines when 
circumstances such as acts of God (floods, hurricanes, etc.) occur, or 
when there are widespread disruptions of mails service. Determinations 
to extend or waive deadline requirements rest with the Chief Grants 
Management Officer.

Required Forms:

What to submit	Required Content	Required Form or Format	When to Submit
Project Description	Responsiveness to Evaluation Criteria	Format described in Part V; 40-pages limit, 12 font,Times Roman, double spaced, single spaced, 1 inch margin.	By application due date.
Project Summary/Abstract	Summary of Application Request.	Consistent with guidance in ``Application Format'' section of this announcement. May be found at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm	By application due date.
SF 424 and SF 424A	Per required form.	May be found at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm	By application due date.
SF 424B, Assurances--Non-construction Programs	Sign and submit.	May be found at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm	By application due date.
Certification Regarding Lobbying and associated Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF LLL)	Sign and submit if applicable.	May be found at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm	By application due date.
Proof of Non-profit status	As described in Section IV.	Format described in Section IV.	By application due date.

Additional Forms:

    Private non-profit organizations may voluntarily submit with their 
applications the survey located under ``Grant Related Documents and 
Forms'' titled ``Survey for Private, Nonprofit Grant Applicants'' at
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm.

What to submit	Required content	Required form or format	When to submit
Survey for Private, Non-Profit Grant Applicants.	Per required form......	May be found at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm.	By application due date.

 
4. Intergovernmental Review

Single Point of Contact (SPOC)
    This program is covered under Executive Order (E.O.) 12372, 
``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs,'' and 45 CFR part 100, 
``Intergovernmental Review of Department of Health and Human Services 
Programs and Activities.'' Under the Order, States may design their own 
processes for reviewing and commenting on proposed Federal assistance 
under covered programs.
    As of October 2003, of the most recent SPOC list, the following 
jurisdictions have elected not to participate in the Executive Order 
process. Applicants from these jurisdictions or for projects 
administered by federally-recognized Indian Tribes need take no action 
in regard to E.O. 12372: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, 
Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, 
Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, 
Oregon, Palau, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, 
Virginia, Washington and Wyoming.
    Although the jurisdictions listed above no longer participate in 
the process, entities which have met the eligibility requirements of 
the program are still eligible to apply for a grant even if a State, 
Territory, Commonwealth, etc. does not have a SPOC. All remaining 
jurisdictions participate in the Executive Order process and have 
established SPOCs. Applicants from participating jurisdictions should 
contact their SPOCs as soon as possible to alert them of the 
prospective applications and receive instructions. Applicants must 
submit any required material to the SPOCs as soon as possible so that 
the program office can obtain and review SPOC comments as part of the 
award process. The applicant must submit all required materials, if 
any, to the SPOC and indicate the date of this submittal (or the date 
of contact if no submittal is required) on the Standard Form 424, item 
16a. Under 45 CFR 100.8(a) (2), a SPOC has 60 days from the application 
deadline to comment on proposed new or competing continuation awards.
    SPOCs are encouraged to eliminate the submission of routine 
endorsements as official recommendations. Additionally, SPOCs are 
requested to clearly differentiate between mere advisory comments and 
those official State process recommendations which may trigger the 
``accommodate or explain'' rule.
    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., Washington, DC 20447.
    The official list, including addresses, of the jurisdictions 
elected to participate in E.O. 12372 can be found on the following URL: 
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.htm.


5. Funding Restrictions

    Grant funds are not allowable for construction of a facility.
    Grant funds are not allowable for pre-award costs.
    A minimum of $100,000 will be awarded to each State, the District 
of Columbia and Puerto Rico. A minimum of $45,000 will be awarded to 
each of the four insular areas: Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth 
of the Northern Marianas and the Virgin Islands.

6. Other Submission Requirements

    Electronic Address to Submit Application: http://www.Grants.Gov.

    Submission by Mail: Mailed applications shall be considered as 
meeting an announced deadline if they are received on or before the 
deadline time and date at:
    ACYF Operations Center, c/o the Dixon Group, Inc., 118 Q Street, 
NE., Washington, DC 20002-2132; telephone: 1-866-796-1591.
    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.
    Hand Delivery: Applications hand-carried by applicants, applicant 
couriers, other representatives of the applicant, 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 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., e.s.t., at ACYF Operations Center, 
c/o the Dixon Group, Inc., 118 Q Street, NE., Washington, DC 20002-
2132, telephone: 1-866-796-1591, between Monday and Friday (excluding 
Federal holidays). This address must appear on the envelope/package 
containing the application. Applicants are cautioned that express/
overnight mail services do not always deliver as agreed. ACF cannot 
accommodate transmission of applications by fax.
    Electronic Submission: Please see ``Section IV. 2. Content and Form 
of Application Submission,'' for guidelines and requirements when 
submitting applications electronically.
    Hard Copy Address Submission: ACYF Operations Center, c/o the Dixon 
Group, Inc., 118 Q Street, NE., Washington, DC 20002-2132.
 
 
V. Application Review Information

1. Criteria

The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13)
    Public Reporting Burden for this collection of information is 
estimated to average 20 hours per response, including the time for 
reviewing instructions, gathering and maintaining the data needed and reviewing 
the collection information.
    The project description is approved under OMB Control No. 0970-
0139.
General Instructions for the Uniform Project Description
    The following are instructions and guidelines on how to prepare the 
``project summary/abstract'' and ``Full Project Description'' sections 
of the application. Under the evaluation criteria section, note that 
each criterion is preceded by the generic evaluation requirement under 
the ACF Uniform Project Description (UPD).
    An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required 
to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a 
currently valid OMB control number.

Approach
    Outline a plan of action which describes the scope and detail of 
how the proposed work will be accomplished. Account for all functions 
or activities identified in the application. Cite factors which might 
accelerate or decelerate the work and state your reason for taking the 
proposed approach rather than others. Describe any unusual features of 
the project such as design or technological innovations, reductions in 
cost or time, or extraordinary social and community involvement. 
Provide quantitative monthly or quarterly projections of the 
accomplishments to be achieved for each function or activity in such 
terms as the number of people to be served and the number of activities 
accomplished. When accomplishments cannot be quantified by activity or 
function, list them in chronological order to show the schedule of 
accomplishments and their target dates.
    If any data is to be collected, maintained, and/or disseminated, 
clearance may be required from the U.S. Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB). This clearance pertains to any ``collection of information that 
is conducted or sponsored by ACF.''
    List organizations, cooperating entities, consultants, or other key 
individuals who will work on the project along with a short description 
of the nature of their effort or contribution.
Results or Benefits Expected
    Identify the results and benefits to be derived. For example, 
describe how the intermediary's assistance to faith-based and community 
organizations will increase their effectiveness, enhance their ability 
to provide social services, diversify their funding sources, and create 
collaborations to better serve those most in need.
Objectives and Need for Assistance
    Clearly identify the physical, economic, social, financial, 
institutional, and/or other problem(s) requiring a solution. The need 
for assistance must be demonstrated and the principal and subordinate 
objectives of the project must be clearly stated. Supporting 
documentation, such as letters of support and testimonials from 
concerned interests other than the applicant, may be included. Any 
relevant data based on planning studies should be included or referred 
to in the endnotes/footnotes. Incorporate demographic data and 
participant/beneficiary information, as needed. In developing the 
project description, the applicant may volunteer or be requested to 
provide information on the total range of projects currently being 
conducted and supported (or to be initiated), some of which may be 
outside the scope of the program announcement.

Staff and Position Data
    Provide a biographical sketch for each key person appointed and a 
job description for each vacant key position. A biographical sketch 
will also be required for new key staff as appointed.
Organizational Profiles
    Provide information on the applicant organization(s) and 
cooperating partners, such as organizational charts, financial 
statements, audit reports or statements from CPAs/Licensed Public 
Accountants, Employer Identification Numbers, names of bond carriers, 
contact persons and telephone numbers, child care licenses and other 
documentation of professional accreditation, information on compliance 
with Federal/State/local government standards, documentation of 
experience in the program area, and other pertinent information. Any 
non-profit organization submitting an application must submit proof of 
its non-profit status in its application at the time of submission.

Budget and Budget Justification
    Provide line item detail and detailed calculations for each budget 
object class identified on the Budget Information form. Detailed 
calculations must include estimation methods, quantities, unit costs, 
and other similar quantitative detail sufficient for the calculation to 
be duplicated. The detailed budget must also include a breakout by the 
funding sources identified in Block 15 of the SF-424.
    Provide a narrative budget justification that describes how the 
categorical costs are derived. Discuss the necessity, reasonableness, 
and allocability of the proposed costs.
General
    The following guidelines are for preparing the budget and budget 
justification. Both Federal and non-Federal resources shall be detailed 
and justified in the budget and narrative justification. For purposes 
of preparing the budget and budget justification, ``Federal resources'' 
refers only to the ACF grant for which you are applying. Non-Federal 
resources are all other Federal and non-Federal resources. It is 
suggested that budget amounts and computations be presented in a 
columnar format: First column, object class categories; second column, 
Federal budget; next column(s), non-Federal budget(s), and last column, 
total budget. The budget justification should be a narrative.

Personnel
    Description: Costs of employee salaries and wages.
    Justification: Identify the project director or principal 
investigator, if known. For each staff person, provide the title, time 
commitment to the project (in months), time commitment to the project 
(as a percentage or full-time equivalent), annual salary, grant salary, 
wage rates, etc. Do not include the costs of consultants or personnel 
costs of delegate agencies or of specific project(s) or businesses to 
be financed by the applicant.

Fringe Benefits
    Description: Costs of employee fringe benefits unless treated as 
part of an approved indirect cost rate.
    Justification: Provide a breakdown of the amounts and percentages 
that comprise fringe benefit costs such as health insurance, FICA, 
retirement insurance, taxes, etc.

Travel
    Description: Costs of project-related travel by employees of the 
applicant organization (does not include costs of consultant travel).
    Justification: For each trip, show the total number of traveler(s), 
travel destination, duration of trip, per diem, mileage allowances, if 
privately owned vehicles will be used, and other transportation costs 
and subsistence allowances. Travel costs for key staff to attend ACF-
sponsored workshops should be detailed in the budget.

Equipment
    Description: ``Equipment'' means an article of nonexpendable, 
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.

(Note: Acquisition cost means the net invoice unit price of an item of 
equipment, including the cost of any modifications, attachments, 
accessories, or auxiliary apparatus necessary to make it usable for 
the purpose for which it is acquired. Ancillary charges, such as 
taxes, duty, protective in-transit insurance, freight, and 
installation shall be included in or excluded from acquisition cost 
in accordance with the organization's regular written accounting 
practices.)


    Justification: For each type of equipment requested, provide a 
description of the equipment, the cost per unit, the number of units, 
the total cost, and a plan for use on the project, as well as use or 
disposal of the equipment after the project ends. An applicant 
organization that uses its own definition for equipment should provide 
a copy of its policy or section of its policy which includes the 
equipment definition.

Supplies
    Description: Costs of all tangible personal property other than 
that included under the Equipment category.
    Justification: Specify general categories of supplies and their 
costs. Show computations and provide other information which supports 
the amount requested.

Contractual
    Description: Costs of all contracts for services and goods except 
for those which belong under other categories such as equipment, 
supplies, construction, etc. Third-party evaluation contracts (if 
applicable) and contracts with secondary recipient organizations, 
including delegate agencies and specific project(s) or businesses to be 
financed by the applicant, should be included under this category.
    Justification: All procurement transactions shall be conducted in a 
manner to provide, to the maximum extent practical, open and free 
competition. Recipients and subrecipients, other than States that are 
required to use part 92 procedures, must justify any anticipated 
procurement action that is expected to be awarded without competition 
and exceed the simplified acquisition threshold fixed at 41 U.S.C. 
403(11) (currently set at $100,000). Recipients might be required to 
make available to ACF pre-award review and procurement documents, such 
as request for proposals or invitations for bids, independent cost 
estimates, etc.

    Note:
    Whenever the applicant intends to delegate part of the project 
to another agency, the applicant must provide a detailed budget and 
budget narrative for each delegate agency, by agency title, along 
with the required supporting information referred to in these 
instructions.

Indirect Charges
    Description: Total amount of indirect costs. This category should 
be used only when the applicant currently has an indirect cost rate 
approved by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) or 
another cognizant Federal agency.
    Justification: An applicant that will charge indirect costs to the 
grant must enclose a copy of the current rate agreement. If the 
applicant organization is in the process of initially developing or 
renegotiating a rate, it should immediately upon notification that an 
award will be made, develop a tentative indirect cost rate proposal 
based on its most recently completed fiscal year in accordance with the 
principles set forth in the cognizant agency's guidelines for 
establishing indirect cost rates, and submit it to the cognizant 
agency. Applicants awaiting approval of their indirect cost proposals 
may also request indirect costs. It should be noted that when an 
indirect cost rate is requested, those costs included in the indirect 
cost pool should not also be charged as direct costs to the grant. 
Also, if the applicant is requesting a rate which is less than what is 
allowed under the program, the authorized representative of the 
applicant organization must submit a signed acknowledgement that the 
applicant is accepting a lower rate than allowed.

Program Income
    Description: The estimated amount of income, if any, expected to be 
generated from this project.
    Justification: Describe the nature, source and anticipated use of 
program income in the budget or refer to the pages in the application 
which contain this information.

Non-Federal Resources
    Description: Amounts of non-Federal resources that will be used to 
support the project as identified in Block 15 of the SF-424.
    Justification: The firm commitment of these resources must be 
documented and submitted with the application in order to be given 
credit in the review process. A detailed budget must be prepared for 
each funding source.
Total Direct Charges, Total Indirect Charges, Total Project Costs
    Self-explanatory.
	
Evaluation Criterion I: Approach (Maximum: 35 points)
    The Program Performance Standards in Appendix A define the minimum 
standards of which RHY Basic Center projects funded by ACF must 
conform. They address operational features such as outreach, individual 
intake and group counseling, family counseling, service linkages, 
recreational program, case disposition, aftercare, individual client 
files, staffing and staff development, youth participation, ongoing 
center planning, periodic reports to the Secretary of HHS and Board of 
Directors/Advisory Body.
    Applications will be evaluated based on the acceptability of the 
description of the factors below and plans and/or procedures for 
assuring all Basic Center Program Performance Standards are met.
    Factors: a. Application describes the program's positive youth 
development philosophy and approach and indicate how it underlies and 
integrates all proposed activities, including provision of services to 
runaway and homeless youth and involvement of the youth's parents or 
legal guardians. Specific information must be provided on how youth 
will be involved in the design, operation and evaluation of the 
program.
    b. Application states the expected or estimated ratio of staff to 
youth and explain how it will be sufficient to ensure adequate 
supervision and treatment.
    c. Application describes how runaway and homeless youth and their 
Families will be reached and how services will be provided consistent 
with the Basic Center Program Performance Standards listed in Part V, 
Appendix A.
    d. Application describes the strategies and activities for 
encouraging awareness of and sensitivity to the diverse needs of 
runaway and homeless youth who are persons of low English proficiency, 
or represent particular ethnic and racial backgrounds, sexual 
orientations, or who are street youth.
    e. Application describes plans for conducting an outreach program 
that, where applicable, will attract members of ethnic, cultural, and 
racial minorities and/or persons with limited ability to speak English.
    f. Application proposes to serve a specific RHY population (e.g., 
single-sex programs, gay and lesbian youth, a particular ethnic group, etc.) and 
describe plans for providing focused services to meet the special needs 
of this population and how the applicant will make referrals or 
otherwise provide for the needs of RHY youth who are not in the 
specific population the applicant will serve.
    g. Application describes the plans for ensuring coordination with 
schools to which runaway and homeless youth will return and for 
assisting the youth to stay current with the curricula of these 
schools.
    h. Application describes procedures for dealing with youth who have 
run from foster care placements and from correctional institutions and 
must show that procedures are in accordance with Federal, State and 
local laws.
    i. Application describes procedures for maintaining confidentiality 
of records on the youth and Families served. Procedures must insure 
that no information on the youth and Families is disclosed without the 
consent of the individual youth, parent or legal guardian. Disclosures 
without consent can be made to another agency compiling statistical 
records if individual identities are not provided or to a government 
agency involved in the disposition of criminal charges against an 
individual youth.
    j. To provide optional home-based services, an applicant must 
include assurances that in providing such services the applicant will:
    . Provide counseling and information to youth and 
the Families (including unrelated individuals in the family households) 
of such youth, including services relating to basic life skills, 
interpersonal skill building, educational advancement, job attainment 
skills, mental and physical health care, parenting skills, financial 
planning, and referral to sources of other needed services;
    . Provide directly, or through an arrangement made 
by the center, 7 day, 24-hour service to respond to family crises 
(including immediate access to temporary shelter for runaway and 
homeless youth, and youth at risk of separation from the family);
    . Establish, in partnership with the Families of 
runaway and homeless youth, and youth at risk of separation from the 
family, objectives and measures of success to be achieved as a result 
of receiving home-based services;
    . Provide initial and periodic training of staff 
who provide home-based services; and
    . Ensure that (a) caseloads will remain 
sufficiently low to allow for intensive (5 to 20 hours per week) 
involvement with each family receiving such services; and (b) staff 
providing such services will receive qualified supervision.
    k. To provide optional drug abuse education and prevention 
services, an applicant must provide a description of:
    . The types of such services that the applicant 
proposes to provide;
    . The objectives of such services;
    . The types of information and training to be 
provided to individuals providing such services to runaway and homeless 
youth; and
    . An assurance that in providing such services the 
applicant must conduct outreach activities for runaway and homeless 
youth.
    l. To provide optional street-based services, the applicant must 
include assurances that in providing such services the applicant will:
    . Provide qualified supervision of staff, 
including on-street supervision by appropriately trained staff;
    . Provide backup personnel for on-street staff;
    . Provide initial and periodic training of staff 
who provide such services; and conduct outreach activities for runaway 
and homeless youth, and street youth.

Evaluation Criterion II: Results or Benefits Expected (Maximum: 20 
points)
    Applications will be evaluated based on the acceptability of the 
description of the following factors:
    Factors: a. Application specifies the annual number of qualifying 
runaway and homeless youth (RHY) and their Families expected to be 
directly served (e.g., sheltered and counseled), the number of beds 
available for runaway and homeless youth (at least 4 youth and a 
maximum capacity of not more than 20 youth, except where the applicant 
assures that the State or local law or regulations that requires a 
higher maximum to comply with licensure requirements for child and 
youth serving facilities; and a ratio of staff to youth that is 
sufficient to ensure adequate supervision) and the types and quantities 
of services to be provided. (Runaway and homeless youth are distinct 
from other youth, e.g., youth currently in foster care or other 
systems.)
    b. Application describes the anticipated changes in attitudes, 
values and behavior of the youth served and improvements in individual 
and family functioning that will occur as a consequence of the services 
provided.
    c. Application describes the criteria to be used to evaluate the 
results and success of the program.

Evaluation Criterion III: Objectives and Need for Assistance (Maximum: 
15 points)
    Applications will be evaluated based on the acceptability of the 
description of the following factors:
    Factors: a. Application specifies the goals and objectives of the 
project and how implementation will fulfill the purposes of the 
legislation described above in the ``Background''
    b. Application states the need for assistance by describing the 
conditions of youth and Families in the area to be served and the 
estimated number and characteristics of runaway and homeless youth and 
their Families. The discussion must include matters of family 
functioning and the health, education, employment and social conditions 
of the youth, including at-risk conditions or behaviors such as drug 
use, school failure and delinquency.
    c. Application proposing to focus services on a specific RHY 
population (e.g., single-sex programs, gay and lesbian youth, a 
particular ethnic group, etc.) identifies the youth to be served. 
Additional information on ``focused'' services is requested under 
``Approach'' criteria.
    d. Application discusses the existing support systems for ``youth 
at risk of separation from the family'' in the area, with specific 
references to law enforcement, health and mental health care, social 
services, schools and child welfare. In addition, other agencies 
providing shelter and services to runaway and homeless youth in the 
area must be identified. Supporting documentation of need from other 
community groups may be included. Additional information about other 
organizations is requested under ``Organizational Profile'' Criteria. 
It must be clear that the applicant will complement or enhance, not 
duplicate, existing available services.
    e. Application describes the area to be served, indicate the 
precise locations of program services and demonstrate that the services 
will be located in an area which is frequented by and/or easily 
accessible by runaway and homeless youth. Maps or other graphic aids 
may be included as part of the supplementary documentation 10-page 
limit.

Evaluation Criterion IV: Staff and Position Data (Maximum: 10 points)
    Applications will be evaluated based on the acceptability of the 
description of the following factors:
    Factors: 
	a. Application discusses key staff experience in working 
with runaway, homeless, and the street youth populations.

    b. Application includes information on skills, knowledge and 
experience of the project director and other key project staff. 
Biographical sketches or brief resumes of current and proposed staff, 
as well as job descriptions, should be included. Resumes must indicate 
what position the individual will fill and position descriptions must 
specifically describe the job as it relates to the proposed project. 
Such documents count against the 10-page supplemental documentation 
limit. They do not count against the overall 40-page project 
description limit.
    c. Application lists consultants who will work on the program along 
with a short description of the nature of their effort or contribution.
    d. Application provides information on plans for training project 
staff as well as staff of cooperating organizations and individuals.
Evaluation Criterion V: Organizational Profiles (Maximum 10 points)
    Applications will be evaluated based on the acceptability of the 
description of the following factors:
    Factors: a. Application discusses organizational experience in 
working with runaway, homeless and street youth populations. As 
required by the RHY Act, priority for funding shall be given to 
organizations with demonstrated experience providing long-term 
residential services to runaway, homeless and street youth. Application 
documents the services it provides to this specific population and the 
length of time the applicant has been involved in the provision of 
these services.
    b. Application provides a short description of the applicant 
agency's organization; the types, quantities and costs of services it 
provides and must identify and briefly describe the role of other 
organizations or multiple sites of the agency that will be involved in 
direct services to runaway and homeless youth through this grant. List 
all these sites, including addresses, phone numbers and staff contact 
names if different from the address on the SF 424. If the agency is a 
recipient of funds from the Administration on Children and Families for 
services to runaway and homeless youth for programs other than that 
applied for in this application, show how the services supported by 
these funds are or will be integrated with the existing services. 
Organizational charts may be provided.
    c. Application provides a plan for project continuance beyond grant 
support, including a plan for securing resources and continuing project 
activities after Federal assistance has ceased and a listing of 
applicant's funding sources. Applicant must describe how the activities 
implemented under this project will be continued by the agency once 
Federal funding for the project has ended and must describe specific 
plans for accomplishing program phase-out in the event the applicant 
cannot obtain new operating funds at the end of the 36-month project 
period.
    d. Application includes letters of support and statements from 
community, public and commercial leaders and organizations that support 
the project proposed for funding.

    (Note: Letters of support are limited to 10. They do not count 
against the 40-page project description limit nor the 10-page 
supplemental documentation limit.)

Evaluation Criterion VI: Budget and Budget Justification (Maximum: 10 
points)
    Applications will be evaluated based on the acceptability of the 
description the following factors:
    Factors: a. Application provides a proposed detailed line item 
budget related to the types and quantities of activities to be 
implemented as discussed in the full project description for the first 
year (12 months) of the proposed project . The detailed line items must 
be consistent with the Budget Categories listed on standard form 424A, 
Section B. In this section of the form reflect total costs for each of 
the following categories: personnel, fringe benefits, travel, 
equipment, supplies, contractual, other, total direct charges, indirect 
charges, and total budget. Non-Federal share must also be reflected 
among the same categories where appropriate.
    b. Application includes a narrative budget that describes how each 
category of costs are derived, i.e., detailed calculations that include 
estimation methods, quantities unit costs, etc., that equate to the 
total costs proposed in a particular category. Applicants must adhere 
to the following additional guidance in preparing the budget 
justification:

    Note: Proposed indirect costs must be supported by a current 
indirect cost rate (IDC) agreement. Indirect Costs cannot be 
proposed as direct costs too. Place the budget/ narrative budget 
justification after grant application form 424A. These documents do 
not count against any page limitation. Applicant must include brief, 
concise summaries of proposed written agreements, if applicable, 
between grantee and sub-grantee or contractor or other cooperating 
entities which support or complement the provision of mandated 
services to runaway and homeless youth. Summaries of agreements do 
not count against the 40-page project description limit.)

    c. Application describes the fiscal control that will be used to 
ensure prudent use, proper disbursement and accurate accounting of 
funds received under this program announcement.

    (Note: Do not submit an entire audit report. If available, an 
applicant may provide an executive summary of the organization's 
current audit report.)

2. Review and Selection Process

    Applications received by the due date will be reviewed and scored 
competitively. Experts in the field, generally persons from outside the 
Federal government, will use the evaluation criteria listed in Part V 
of this announcement to review and score the applications. The results 
(scores) of this review will be a primary factor in making funding 
decisions. ACF may also solicit comments from Regional Office staff. 
ACF may consider a variety of factors in addition to the review 
criteria identified above, including geographic and types of applicant 
organizations, in order to ensure that the interests of the Federal 
Government are met in making the final selections. Please note that 
applicants that do not comply with the requirements in the section 
titled ``Eligible Applicants'' will not be included in the review 
process.
    Approved but Unfunded Applications: In cases where more 
applications are approved for funding than ACF can fund with the money 
available, the Grants Officer shall fund applications in their order of 
approval until funds run out. In this case, ACF has the option of 
carrying over the approved applications up to a year for funding 
consideration in a later competition of the same program. These 
applications need not be reviewed and scored again if the program's 
evaluation criteria have not changed. However, they must then be placed 
in rank order along with other applications in the later competition
 
 
VI. Award Administration Information

1. Award Notices

    The successful applicant will be notified through the issuance of a 
Financial Assistance Award (FAA) document, signed by an authorized 
Grants Officer, which will set forth the amount of funds granted, the 
terms and conditions of the grant, the effective date of the grant, the 
budget period for which initial support will be given, the non-Federal 
share to be provided and the total project period for which support is 
contemplated.

    Organizations whose applications will not be funded will be 
notified in writing by the Administration on Children, Youth and 
Families. The Compilation of Reviewers' Comments will also be made 
available to unsuccessful applicants as a means of providing technical 
assistance for preparing future proposals.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

    Runaway Youth Program Administration Requirements (45 CFR part 
1351). Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grant Awards (45 CFR 
parts 74 and 92).

3. Reporting Requirements

    Programmatic Reports: Semi-annually with final report due 90 days 
after project end date.
    Financial Reports: Semi-annually with final report due 90 days 
after project end date.
 
 
VII. Agency Contacts

1. Program Office Contact

    Dorothy W. Pittard, Family and Youth Services Bureau, 330 C Street, 
SW., Washington, DC 20447.
    E-mail: dpittard@acf.hhs.gov, telephone number: 202-205-8906.

2. Grants Management Office Contact

    William Wilson, Office of Grants Management, 330 C Street, SW., 
Washington, DC 20447.
    E-mail: wwilson@acf.hhs.gov, telephone number: 202-205-8913.
    All Basic Center grants are managed out of the ACF Regional 
Offices. See ACF Regional Office Youth Contacts in your area listed in 
Appendix B.
 
 
VIII. Other Information

1. Special Requirements

    By signing and submitting an application, the applicant is agreeing 
to the following special requirements:
    RHYMIS (Runaway and Homeless Youth Management Information System)--
Applicant must agree to keep adequate statistical records profiling the 
youth and Families served under the Federal grant and to gather and 
submit program and client data required by FYSB. This information is 
required by the RHY program legislation and defined in user-friendly 
Runaway and Homeless Youth Management Information System (RHYMIS or 
RHYMIS-LITE). Recipients of a FYSB grant are required and expected to 
submit the data via RHYMIS or in an approved format which RHYMIS can 
receive. Grantees have the option of using RHYMIS for internal 
management improvement or for research and other program needs. A 
RHYMIS hotline/help desk is available at 888-749-64, and/or at rhymis_help@csc.com.

    The Family and Youth Services Bureau will fund computer software 
for RHY program data collection through RHYMIS. An applicant lacking 
the computer equipment for RHYMIS data collection must include an 
estimated cost for such equipment in their proposed budget. If the 
applicant already has such equipment, this fact must be noted.

    (Note: Existing grantees generally report that their staff has 
been able to easily train themselves to operate RHYMIS due to its 
user-friendliness, prompts and help features, and FYSB's technical 
support service.)

    . Research or Evaluation--Applicant must agree to 
cooperate with any research or evaluation efforts sponsored by the 
Administration for Children and Families.
    . Annual Report--Applicant must agree to submit 
data required for the Family and Youth Services Bureau Annual Report to 
the Secretary of HHS on program activities and accomplishments with 
statistical summaries describing the number and characteristics of 
runaway and homeless youth, and youth at risk of family separation, who 
participate in the project and the services provided to such youth by 
the project.
    . Other Reports--Applicant must also agree to 
submit other required program and financial reports, as instructed by 
FYSB.

2. Appendices

    Appendix A: Basic Center Program Performance Standards.
    Appendix B: Administration for Children and Families Regional 
Office Youth Contacts.
    Appendix C: Training and Technical Assistance Providers.
    Appendix D: Table of Basic Center Program Allocations by State.

Dated: April 9, 2004.
Frank Fuentes,
Deputy Commissioner, Administration on Children, Youth and Families.

Appendix A. Basic Center Program Performance Standards

I. Background, Purpose, Goals and Objectives

    The Program Performance Standards established by the Family and 
Youth Services Bureau (FYSB) are minimum standards for its funded 
basic centers. They relate to the basic program components 
enumerated in section 312 of the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act as 
reauthorized and as further detailed in Regulations and other 
guidance from FYSB governing the implementation of the Act. They 
address the methods and processes by which the needs of runaway and 
homeless youth and their Families are being met, as opposed to the 
outcome of the services provided to the clients served. Nine of 
these standards relate to service components (outreach, individual 
intake process, temporary shelter, individual and group counseling, 
family counseling, service linkages, aftercare services, 
recreational programs, and case disposition), and six to 
administrative functions or activities (staffing and staff 
development, youth participation, individual client files, 
reporting, ongoing project planning, and board of directors/advisory 
body).
    Although fiscal management is not included as a program 
performance standard, it is viewed by FYSB as being an essential 
element in the operation of its funded projects. Therefore, as 
validation visits are made, the Regional ACF youth specialist and/or 
staff from the Office of Fiscal Operations will also review the 
project's financial management activities.
    The standards are designed to serve as a developmental tool for 
use by the project staff and the Regional ACF staff specialists in 
identifying those services and administrative components of projects 
which require strengthening through internal action on the part of 
staff or through the provision of external technical assistance.

II. Basic Center Program Performance Standards

    The following are the program performance standards applicable 
to funded basic centers:

1. Outreach

    The project shall conduct outreach efforts directed towards 
community agencies, youth and parents based on a written plan that 
takes diversity into consideration.

2. Individual Intake Process

    The project shall conduct an individual intake process with each 
youth seeking services from the project. The individual intake 
process shall provide for:
    a. Direct access to project services on a 24-hour basis.
    b. The identification of the emergency service needs of each 
youth and the provision of the appropriate services either directly 
or through referrals to community agencies and individuals.
    c. An explanation of the services which are available and the 
requirements for participation, and the securing of a voluntary 
commitment from each youth to participate in project services prior 
to admitting the youth into the project.
    d. The recording of basic background information on each youth 
admitted into the project.
    e. The assignment of primary responsibility to one staff member 
for coordinating the services provided to each youth.
    f. The contact of the parent(s) or legal guardian of each youth 
provided temporary shelter within the timeframe established by State 
law or, in the absence of State requirements, preferably within 24 
but within no more than 72 hours following the youth's admission 
into the project.

3. Temporary Shelter

    The project shall provide temporary shelter and food to each 
youth admitted into the project and requesting such services.
    a. Each facility in which temporary shelter is provided shall be 
in compliance with State and local licensing requirements.
    b. Each facility in which temporary shelter is provided shall 
accommodate at least 4 youth and no more than 20.
    c. Temporary shelter funded by the Basic Center program shall 
not be provided for a period exceeding 15 days during a youth's 
given stay at the project.
    d. Each facility in which temporary shelter is provided shall 
ensure nutritional needs are met as appropriate for individual 
youth.
    e. At least one adult shall be on the premises whenever youth 
are using the temporary shelter facility.
    f. The shelter shall maintain a ratio of staff to youth that is 
sufficient to ensure adequate supervision and treatment.

4. Individual and Group Counseling

    The project shall provide individual and/or group counseling to 
each youth admitted into the project.
    a. Individual and/or group counseling shall be available daily 
to each youth admitted into the project on a temporary shelter basis 
and requesting such counseling.
    b. Individual and/or group counseling shall be available to each 
youth admitted into the project on a non-residential basis and 
requesting such counseling.
    c. The individual and/or group counseling shall be provided by 
qualified staff.

5. Family Counseling

    The project shall make family counseling available to each 
parent or legal guardian and youth admitted into the project.
    a. Family counseling shall be provided to each parent or legal 
guardian and youth admitted into the project and requesting such 
services.
    b. The family counseling shall be provided by qualified staff.

6. Service Linkages

    The project shall establish and maintain linkages with community 
agencies and individuals for the provision of those services which 
are required by youth and/or their Families but which are not 
provided directly by the centers.
    a. Arrangements shall be made with community agencies and 
individuals for the provision of alternative living arrangements, 
medical services, psychological and/or psychiatric services, and the 
other assistance required by youth admitted into the project and/or 
by their Families which are not provided directly by the project.
    b. Specific efforts shall be conducted by the project directed 
toward establishing working relationships with law enforcement and 
other juvenile justice system personnel.

7. Recreational Program

    The project shall provide a recreational/leisure time schedule 
of activities for youth admitted to the project for residential 
care.

8. Case Disposition

    The project shall determine, on an individual case basis, the 
disposition of each youth provided temporary shelter, and shall 
assure the safe arrival of each youth home or to an alternative 
living arrangement.
    a. To the extent feasible, the project shall provide for the 
active involvement of the youth, the parent(s) or legal guardian, 
and the staff in determining what living arrangement constitutes the 
best interest of each youth.
    b. The project shall assure the safe arrival of each youth home 
or to an alternative living arrangement, following the termination 
of the crisis services provided by the project, by arranging for the 
transportation of the youth if he/she will be residing within the 
area served by the project; or by arranging for the meeting and 
local transportation of the youth at his/her destination if he/she 
will be residing beyond the area served by the project.
    c. The project shall verify the arrival of each youth who is not 
accompanied home or to an alternative living arrangement by the 
parent(s) or legal guardian, project staff or other agency staff 
within 12 hours after his/her scheduled arrival at his/her 
destination.

9. Aftercare Services

    The project shall provide for continuity of services to all 
youth served on a temporary shelter basis and/or their Families 
following the termination of such temporary shelter both directly 
and through referrals to other agencies and individuals.

10. Individual Client Files

    The project shall maintain an individual file on each youth 
admitted into the project.
    a. The client file maintained on each youth should, at a 
minimum, include an intake form which minimally contains the basic 
background information needed by FYSB; counseling notations; 
information on the services provided both directly and through 
referrals to community agencies and individuals; disposition data; 
and, as applicable, any follow-up and evaluation data which are 
compiled by the center.
    b. The file on each client shall be maintained by the project in 
a secure place and shall not be disclosed without the written 
permission of the client and his/her parent(s) or legal guardian 
except to project staff, to the funding agency(ies) and its (their) 
contractor(s), and to a court involved in the disposition of 
criminal charges against the youth.

11. Periodic Reports to the Secretary, HHS

    The project shall meet its data reporting requirements via the 
Runaway and Homeless Youth Management Information System (RHYMIS) or 
in an approved form which RHYMIS can receive and shall submit 
reports as required by FYSB, including an annual report for the 
Secretary of HHS no later than 3 months after the end of each year 
in which Federal RHY funds were received.
    a. The report to the Secretary shall include information 
regarding the activities carried out with RHY funds, the 
achievements of the project carried out by the applicant and 
statistical summaries describing the number and the characteristics 
of the runaway and homeless youth and youth at risk of family 
separation who participate in such project, and the services 
provided to such youth by such project, in the year for which the 
report is submitted.
    b. The project shall submit timely and complete program and 
financial reports, and data reports under RHYMIS requirements, 
according to the instructions of FYSB.

12. Staffing and Staff Development

    Each center is required to develop and maintain a plan for 
staffing and staff development.
    a. The project shall operate under an affirmative action plan.
    b. The project shall maintain a written staffing plan which 
indicates the number of paid and volunteer staff in each job 
category.
    c. The project shall maintain a written job description for each 
paid and volunteer staff function which describes both the major 
tasks to be performed and the qualifications required.
    d. The project shall provide training to all paid and volunteer 
staff (including youth) in both the procedures employed by the 
project and in specific skill areas as determined by the project.
    e. The project shall evaluate the performance of each paid and 
volunteer staff member on a regular basis.
    f. Case supervision sessions, involving relevant project staff, 
shall be conducted at least weekly to review current cases and the 
types of counseling and other services which are being provided.

13. Youth Participation

    The center shall actively involve youth in the design and 
delivery of the services provided by the project.
    a. Youth shall be involved in the ongoing planning efforts 
conducted by the project.
    b. Youth shall be involved in the delivery of the services 
provided by the project.

14. Ongoing Center Planning

    The center shall develop a written plan at least annually.
    a. At least annually, the project shall review the crisis 
counseling, temporary shelter, and aftercare needs of the youth in 
the area served by the center and the existing services which are 
available to meet these needs.
    b. The project shall conduct an ongoing evaluation of the impact 
of its services on the youth and Families it serves.
    c. At least annually, the project shall review and revise, as 
appropriate, its goals, objectives, and activities based upon the 
data generated through both the review of youth needs and existing 
services (13a) and the follow-up evaluations (13b).
    d. The project's planning process shall be open to all paid and 
volunteer staff, youth, and members of the Board of Directors and/or 
Advisory Body.

15. Board of Directors/Advisory Body (Optional)

    It is strongly recommended that the centers have a Board of 
Directors or Advisory Body.
    a. The membership of the project's Board of Directors or 
Advisory Body shall be composed of a representative cross-section of
the community, including youth, parents, and agency representatives.
    b. Training shall be provided to the Board of Directors or 
Advisory Body designed to orient the members to the goals, 
objectives, and activities of the project.
    c. The Board of Directors or Advisory Body shall review and 
approve the overall goals, objectives, and activities of the 
project, including the written plan developed under standard 14.

Appendix B. Administration for Children and Families Regional Office 
Youth Contacts

    Region I: Maryellen Connors, Administration for Children and 
Families, John F. Kennedy Federal Building, Room 2011, Boston, MA 
02203, (CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT), (617) 565-1119.
    Region II: Junius Scott, Administration for Children and 
Families, 26 Federal Plaza, Room 4114, New York, NY 10278, (NJ, NY, 
PR, VI), (212) 264-2890, Ext. 145.
    Region III: Dick Gilbert, Administration for Children and 
Families, 150 S. Independence Mall West, Suite 864, Philadelphia, PA 
19104-3499, (DC, DE, MD, PA, VA, WV), (215) 861-4031.
    Region IV: Ruth Walker, Administration for Children and 
Families, 61 Forsyth Street, S.W., Suite 4M60, Atlanta, GA 30303, 
(AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, SC, TN), (404) 562-2901.
    Region V: Bill Clair, Administration for Children and Families, 
233 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 400, Chicago, IL 60601, (IL, IN, 
MI, MN, OH, WI), (312) 353-0166.
    Region VI: Ralph Rogers, Administration for Children and 
Families, 1301 Young Street, Dallas, TX 75202, (AR, LA, NM, OK, TX), 
(214) 767-2977.
    Region VII: Dale Scott, Administration for Children and 
Families, Federal Office Building, Room 384, 601 East 12th Street, 
Kansas City, MO 64106, (IA, KS, MO, NE), (816) 426-5401, Ext. 181.
    Region VIII: Al Martinez, Administration for Children and 
Families, Federal Office Building, 1961 Stout Street, 9th Floor, 
Denver, CO 80294, (303) 844-1172, (CO, MT, ND, SD, UT, WY), (303) 
844-1167.
    Region IX: Deborah Oppenheim, Administration for Children and 
Families, 50 United Nations Plaza, San Francisco, CA 94102, (AZ, CA, 
HI, NV, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Marshall 
Islands, Federated States of Micronesia), (415) 437-8426.
    Region X: Steve Ice, Administration for Children and Families, 
2201 Sixth Avenue, RX 32, Seattle, WA 98121, (AK, ID, OR, WA), (206) 
615-2210.

Appendix C. Training and Technical Assistance Providers

    The Family and Youth Services Bureau funds 10 regionally based 
organizations to provide training and technical assistance to 
programs funded under the Basic Center, Transitional Living and 
Street Outreach Programs, and to other agencies serving runaway and 
homeless youth.
    Each of the training and technical assistance providers offers 
on-site consultations; regional, State and local conferences; 
information sharing and skill-based training.
    For more information, contact the training and technical 
assistance provider in your region.

Region I

    New England Network, 156 College Street, Suite 302, Burlington, 
VT 05401-8423.
    Contact: Melanie Goodman, (802) 658-9182, Fax (802) 951-4201; 
information@nenetwork.org. CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT


Region II

    Empire State Coalition of Youth and Family Services, 121--6th 
Avenue, Room 507, New York, NY 10013-1505.
    Contact: Margo Hirsch, (212) 966-6477, Ext. 307, Fax (212) 226-
6817; EMPIREST@empireStatecoalition.org. NJ, NY, PR, VI

Region III

    Mid-Atlantic Network of Youth and Family Services, 135 
Cumberland Road, Suite 201, Pittsburgh, PA 15237.
    Contact: Nancy Johnson, (412) 366-6562, Fax (412) 366-5407; 
Nancy@MANYNET.org. DC, DE, MD, PA, VA, WV


Region IV

    Southeastern Network of Youth and Family Services, 3780 C Via 
Del Rey, Bonita Springs, FL 34134.
    Contact: Sherry Allen, (239) 949-4414, Ext. 14, Fax (239) 949-
4911; sherryallen@senetwork.org. AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, SC, TN

Region V

    Youth Network Council, 200 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 400, 
Chicago, IL 60601.
    Contact: Denis Murstein, (312) 704-1257, Fax (312) 704-1265; 
Murstein@youthnetworkcouncil.org. IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI


Region VI

    Southwest Network of Youth Services, Inc., 2525 Wallingwood 
Drive, Suite 1503, Austin, TX 78746.
    Contact: Theresa Tod, (512) 328-6860, Fax (512) 328-6863; 
TTOD@TNOYS.org. AR, LA, NM, OK, TX


Region VII

    M.I.N.K Youth Services Network, 9082 Parkhill, Lenexa, KS 66215.
    Contact: Amy Gray, (913) 888-5992, Fax (913) 888-5774; 
MINKNET@aol.com. IA, KS, MO, NE


Region VIII

    Mountain Plains Network for Youth, 410 E. Thayer Avenue, 
2, Bismarck, ND 58501.
    Contact: Linda Garding, (701) 355-0721 or 1-800-665-8682, Fax 
(701) 255-0848; MTNPLAINS@aol.com. CO, MT, ND, SD, UT, WY

Region IX

    Western States Youth Services Network, 1309 Ross Street, Suite 
B, Petaluma, CA 94954.
    Contact: Nancy Fastenau, (707) 763-2213, Fax (707) 763-2704; 
wsysn@aol.com. AZ, CA, HI, NV, AS, GU, NMI, MI, MICRONESIA


Region X

    Northwest Network for Youth, 603 Stewart Street, Suite 609, 
Seattle, WA 98101.
    Contact: Gary Hammons, (206) 628-3760, Fax (206) 628-3746; 
Gary@nwny.org. AK, ID, OR, WA


Appendix D: Table of Basic Center Program Allocations by State

                                FY 2004 Basic Center Program: Allocation By State
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                 Continuations     New Awards         Totals
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Region I:
     Connecticut.............................................          255,000          244,645          499,645
     Maine...................................................          134,371           53,974          188,345
     Massachusetts...........................................          705,892          203,145          909,037
     New Hampshire...........................................                0          190,923          190,923
     Rhode Island............................................          221,382                0          221,382
     Vermont.................................................           99,992                8          100,000
                                                              ------------------
         Region I Total......................................        1,416,637          692,695        2,109,332
                                                              ==================
 Region II:
     New Jersey..............................................          571,721          627,086        1,198,807
     New York................................................        2,315,166          500,328        2,815,494
     Puerto Rico.............................................          344,149          303,452          647,601
     Virgin Islands..........................................                0           45,000           45,000
                                                              ------------------
         Region II Total.....................................        3,231,036        1,475,866        4,706,902
                                                              ==================
 Region III:
     Delaware................................................           37,857           80,744          118,601
     District of Columbia....................................           50,000           50,000          100,000
     Maryland................................................          300,000          510,672          810,672
     Pennsylvania............................................          673,568        1,103,956        1,777,524
     Virginia................................................          680,175          369,188        1,049,363
     West Virginia...........................................                0          251,054          251,054
                                                              ------------------
         Region III Total....................................        1,741,600        2,365,614        4,107,214
                                                              ==================
 Region IV:
     Alabama.................................................          315,000          368,053          683,053
     Florida.................................................        1,076,639        1,130,646        2,207,285
     Georgia.................................................          708,974          585,472        1,294,446

     Kentucky................................................          350,000          253,070          603,070
     Mississippi.............................................          447,299                0          447,299
     North Carolina..........................................          724,578          451,943        1,176,521
     South Carolina..........................................          328,906          290,779          619,685
     Tennessee...............................................          568,981          274,827          843,808
                                                              ------------------
         Region IV Total.....................................        4,520,377        3,354,790        7,875,167
                                                              ==================
 Region V:
     Illinois................................................          526,501        1,414,832        1,941,333
     Indiana.................................................          407,255          546,119          953,374
     Michigan................................................        1,181,542          392,199        1,573,741
     Minnesota...............................................          640,272          145,984          786,256
     Ohio....................................................        1,129,219          621,512        1,750,731
     Wisconsin...............................................          320,790          525,580          846,370
                                                              ------------------
         Region V Total......................................        4,205,579        3,646,226        7,851,805
                                                              ==================
 Region VI:
     Arkansas................................................          301,070          111,023          412,093
     Louisiana...............................................          728,489                0          728,489
     New Mexico..............................................          281,920                0          281,920
     Oklahoma................................................          165,060          379,807          544,867
     Texas...................................................        2,417,036        1,084,111        3,501,147
                                                              ------------------
         Region VI Total.....................................        3,893,575        1,574,941        5,468,516
                                                              ==================
 Region VII:
     Iowa....................................................          337,239          117,740          454,979
     Kansas..................................................          203,844          229,893          433,737
     Missouri................................................          500,000          370,927          870,927
     Nebraska................................................          265,475                0          265,475
                                                              ------------------
     Region VII Total........................................        1,306,558          718,560        2,025,118
                                                              ==================
 Region VIII:
     Colorado................................................          447,881          211,687          659,568
     Montana.................................................                0          144,106          144,106
     North Dakota............................................           56,425           46,060          102,485
     South Dakota............................................          100,000                0          100,000
     Utah....................................................          415,000                0          415,000
     Wyoming.................................................                0          100,000          100,000
                                                              ------------------
         Region VIII Total...................................        1,019,306          501,853        1,521,159
                                                              ==================
 Region IX:
     American Samoa..........................................  ...............  ...............  ...............
     Arizona.................................................          615,265          192,725          807,990
     California..............................................        2,829,188        2,437,297        5,266,485
     Guam....................................................           45,000                0           45,000
     Hawaii..................................................          174,214                0          174,214
     Northern Marianas.......................................  ...............           45,000           45,000
     Nevada..................................................          171,878          123,832          295,710
                                                              ------------------
         Region IX Total.....................................        3,835,545        2,798,854        6,634,399
                                                              ==================
 Region X:

     Alaska..................................................           94,835           19,360          114,195
     Idaho...................................................                0          224,955          224,955
     Oregon..................................................          698,521                0          698,521
     Washington..............................................          830,965           85,803          916,768
                                                              ------------------
         Region X Total......................................        1,624,321          330,118        1,954,439
                                                              ==================
         FY 2004 BCP TOTAL...................................       26,794,534       17,459,517       44,254,051
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Note: Agencies in States where zero ($ -0-) funding is reflected 
on the BCP Table of Allocation are highly encouraged to apply for 
grant funding in the event that additional funds becomes available.

[FR Doc. 04-8787 Filed 4-19-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-01-P


 

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