Chafee Foster Care Independent Living (93.674)

 

Program

93.674 Chafee Foster Care Independent Living

 

Federal Agency

ADMINISTRATION FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

 

Authorization

Social Security Act, Sections 471, 472, 474, 475, and 477 of Title IV-E; Public Law 106-169; Foster Care Independence Act of 1999, Title I; Promoting Safe and Stable Families, Public Law 107- 133.

 

Program Number

93.674

 

Last Known Status

Active

 

Objectives

To assist States and localities in establishing and carrying out programs designed to assist foster youth likely to remain in foster care until 18 years of age and youth who have left foster care because they attained 18 years of age, have not yet attained 21 years of age, to make the transition from foster care to independent living.

 

Types of Assistance

Formula Grants.

 

Uses and Use Restrictions

Grants may be used to assist youth: to make the transition to self-sufficiency; to receive education, training and services; to obtain employment; to prepare for and enter post secondary training and educational institutions; to provide personal and emotional support to youth through mentors and the promotion of interactions with dedicated adults; and to provide financial, housing, counseling, employment, education, other appropriate support and services to current and former foster care recipients up to the age of 21, and to make available vouchers for education and training, including postsecondary training and education to youth who have aged out of foster care.

 

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

State governments, including the 50 States, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Children and youth "who are likely to remain in foster care" and former foster care recipients up to age 21.

Credentials/Documentation

Costs will be determined in accordance with 45 CFR Part 92.

 

Application and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

Applications must include the information and assurances required from the States. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure

Applications must be submitted by a State to the appropriate Regional Administrator for the Administration for Children (ACF).

Award Procedure

Quarterly awards are made up to the amount of one-fourth of the State's annual allotment.

Deadlines

June 30, of each year.

 

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Appeals

Appeals are processed in accordance with HHS regulations in 45 CFR Part 16.

Renewals

Not applicable.

 

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

Each State is allotted an amount of funds which bears the same ratio as the number of children in foster care in that State bears to the total number of children in foster care in all States in the most recent fiscal year for which such information is available. Data submitted by States into the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System's (AFCARS) national database will be used to calculate State allotments. The Federal government will pay 80% of the total amount of funds expended by the States (less any penalties) up to the amount of CFCIP funds allotted to the State. The State must provide matching contributions to cover the additional 20% of the costs.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Grant awards are made quarterly on a fiscal year basis.

 

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

States are required to submit expenditure reports and annual program reports.

Audits

Audits are conducted in accordance with the requirements in 45 CFR 74 and 92.

Records

States are required to maintain supporting documentation of activities and adequate fiscal records.

 

Program Accomplishments

In fiscal year 2002, 52 grants were made. It is estimated that the same number of grants will be awarded in fiscal years 2003 and 2004.

 

Financial Information

Account Identification

75-1545-0-1-506.

Obligations

(Formula Grants) FY 02 $140,000,000; FY 03 est $140,000,000 ($41,727,000 for Training Voucher Program); and FY 04 est $140,000,000 ($60,000,000 for Training Voucher Program).

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

$500,000 to $26,757,011; $2,651,923.

 

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

Program Instruction (PI) ACYF-CB-PI-01-02, dates February 13, 2001.

 

Related Programs

93.550, Transitional Living for Homeless Youth; 93.556, Promoting Safe and Stable Families; 93.645, Child Welfare Services_State Grants; 93.658, Foster Care_Title IV-E.

 

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

Contact Regional Administration for Children and Families. (See Appendix IV of the Catalog for addresses.)

Headquarters Office

Associate Commissioner, Children's Bureau, Administration for Children and Families, P.O. Box 1182, Washington, DC 20013. Telephone: (202) 205-8618.

Web Site Address

http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/cb

 

Examples of Funded Projects

Not applicable.

 

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

States meeting requirements for entitlement funds will receive grants.