Child Support Enforcement Demonstrations and Special Projects (93.601)

Program

93.601 Child Support Enforcement Demonstrations and Special Projects

Federal Agency

Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Office: Administration for Children and Families

Authorization

Social Security, Title IV, Part D, Section 452(j), Public Law 104-193, 42 U.S.C 652j.

Program Number

93.601

Last Known Status

Active

Objectives

To design and carry out special projects of regional and national significance relating to the improvement of the Child Support Enforcement Program.

Types of Assistance

PROJECT GRANTS

Uses and Use Restrictions

Grants are awarded for innovative special improvement projects and demonstrations that improve the effectiveness of the child support enforcement program on the regional and national levels. These activities must be consistent with the goals of the national child support mission to ensure all children receive financial and medical support from both parents and strengthen the ability of the nation's child support programs to collect support on behalf of children and families.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Funds authorized under section 452(j)(42 USC 652(j))of the Social Security Act are available to all types of domestic applicants other than individuals.

Beneficiary Eligibility

State/local agencies, Tribal governments, nonprofit organizations and other organizations involved in child support enforcement will benefit.

Credentials/Documentation

When appropriate, applicants should present written evidence of other agencies' willingness to cooperate when the project involves their cooperation or the utilization of their facilities or service. Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87 for State and local governments and federally- recognized tribal governments. For other grantees, costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-21 for educational institutions, OMB Circular No. A-122 for nonprofit organizations, and any amendments to the aforementioned. OMB Circular No. A-87 applies to this program.

Application and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

Preapplication coordination is required. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.

Application Procedure

OMB Circular No. A-102 applies to this program. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110. The standard application forms, as furnished by DHHS and required by OMB Circular No. A-102, must be used for this program. Application forms and supplemental descriptive information on the priority projects are available from: Administration for Children and Families, Child Support Enforcement Program, 4th floor, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW., Washington, DC 20447. Applications may be submitted to this address or via grants.gov. See the actual program announcement for details. The application shall be executed by an individual authorized to act for the applicant agency or organization and to assume for the agency or organization the obligations imposed by the terms and conditions of the grant. The application must clearly indicate whether the application submitted is in response to a program announcement (e.g. CFDA 93.601) and must reference the announcement number for which the application is to compete. Applications are reviewed and evaluated by a review panel of not less than three knowledgeable people. Written assessment of each application is made.

Award Procedure

Official notice of approved grant applications is made through issuance of a Notice of Grant Award. This provides the amount of funds awarded, the purpose of the award, the term and conditions of the award, the budget period for which support is given, the total project period for which support is contemplated, and the total grantee participation.

Deadlines

Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

From 60 to 120 days. Generally, solicited grants will be acted upon within 90 days.

Appeals

There are no formal appeals procedures. If an application is disapproved, the reasons for disapproval will be fully stated. In the case of unsolicited proposals, applicants are free to resubmit applications with attention to the changes suggested by the reasons for disapproval. In the case of solicited proposals, reworking time may be allowed to prepare addenda which clarify various aspects of projects. If an applicant is not awarded a grant, the applicant can request a written response that will address: (1) Weak and deficient areas of the proposal; (2) impact of weaknesses or deficiencies in not being selected; and (3) factors that were the basis of the selection of the successful grantee.

Renewals

Generally, project and budget periods vary according to priority area (up to three years). Projects of a longer duration will be considered if unique circumstances warrant. If projects are approved for a period longer than 12 months, funding will be provided in discrete 12-month increments, or "budget periods." Funding beyond the first 12- month budget period is not guaranteed. Future funding will depend on the grantee's satisfactory performance and the availability of future appropriations.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

This program has no statutory formula.
This program has no matching requirements.
This program does not have MOE requirements.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Generally, project and budget periods vary according to the priority area (up to three years). For multi-year projects, support beyond the first year is contingent upon acceptable evidence of satisfactory progress and availability of funds. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: by letter of credit.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Semi-annual program reports are required. Semi-annual 269A reports are required. Quarterly narrative reports are required. Semi-annual reports of expenditures are required from the 396A. Periodic monitoring are done when progress reports are reviewed.

Audits

In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.

Records

Proper accounting records, identifiable by grant or contract number and including all receipts and expenditures, must be maintained for 3 years in accordance with 45 CFR 74 or 92. Records must be maintained until all questions are resolved, or at the end of the regular 3-year period, whichever is later.

Program Accomplishments

Fiscal Year 2009: No Current Data Available Fiscal Year 2010: OCSE estimates that 8 grants will be awarded in FY 2010. Fiscal Year 2011: No Current Data Available

Financial Information

Account Identification

75-1553-0-1-609.

Obligations

(Project Grants) FY 08 $1,246,000; FY 09 est $1,270,000; FY 10 est $1,025,000

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

$100,000 to $200,000; $100,000.

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

"Grants Administration Policies," and application kits may be obtained from the ACF, Office of Child Support Enforcement, 4th Floor, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW., Washington, DC 20447.

Related Programs

93.558 Temporary Assistance for Needy Families; 93.563 Child Support Enforcement; 93.564 Child Support Enforcement Research; 93.597 Grants to States for Access and Visitation Programs; 93.647 Social Services Research and Demonstration

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

See Regional Agency Offices. Contact Regional Administrators. (See Appendix IV of the Catalog for Regional Offices).

Headquarters Office

Susan Greenblatt, 370 L' Enfant Promenade, S.W., Washington, District of Columbia 20447 Email: sus.greenblatt@acf.hhs.gov Phone: (202) 401-4849.

Web Site Address

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

Examples of Funded Projects

Not Applicable.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

(1) Objectives and need for assistance; (2) approach; (project management and staffing plan); (3) evaluation and how success will be measured; (4) reasonableness of project costs; and (5) cooperation of CSE agency.