Child Welfare Services-State Grants (93.645)

Program

93.645 Child Welfare Services-State Grants

Federal Agency

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

Authorization

Social Security Act, Title IV-B, Part Subpart 1; as amended.

Program Number

93.645

Last Known Status

Active

Objectives

The purpose of the Stephanie Tubbs Jones Child Welfare Services program is to promote State flexibility in the development and expansion of a coordinated child and family services program that utilizes community-based agencies and ensures all children are raised in safe, loving families.

Types of Assistance

FORMULA GRANTS

Uses and Use Restrictions

Funds may be used for the following purposes: (a) protecting and promoting the welfare of all children; (b) preventing the abuse, neglect, or exploitation of children; (c) supporting at-risk families through services that allow children to remain with their families or return to their families in a timely manner; (d) promoting the safety, permanence, and well-being of children in foster care and adoptive families; and (e) providing training, professional development, and support to ensure a well-qualified workforce.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

States, the District of Columbia, Indian Tribes, Puerto Rico, the Northern Marianas, the Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Families and children in need of child welfare services will benefit.

Credentials/Documentation

The State department which administers the services program under Title XX must be the designated single State agency to administer child welfare services. Costs will be determined in accordance with 45 CFR Part 92. OMB Circular No. A-87 applies to this program.

Application and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

Intergovernmental Review is excluded. 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. A 5-year State plan must be submitted. The plan must be jointly developed by the Secretary and the State or Indian Tribe and written after State agency consultation with appropriate public and nonprofit private agencies and community-based organizations. The plan must coordinate the provision of services under Title IV-B with services under other Federal or federally-assisted programs serving the same populations.

Award Procedure

Funds will be awarded after the State plan, or annual update, is submitted and approved.

Deadlines

Jun 30, 2009 States, Territories and Indian Tribes are encouraged to submit application in accordance with Department requirements. The Plan or update submitted is due by June 30 of each year.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

The Plan or update that is due on June 30 of each year must be approved by 9/30 in order to receive timely funding.

Appeals

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

Renewals

Not Applicable.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

Statutory Formula:

Matching Requirements: Percent: 25.%. Each State receives a base amount of $70,000 for child welfare services. The Stephanie Tubbs Jones Federal Child Welfare services appropriation is further allotted on a variable formula which takes into account the child population under 21 and the complement of the State per capita income compared to the U.S. per capita income. The statistical factors used to fund allocations are: (1) the population of children under 21 years of age by State and the source is "Current Population Reports", P-25 Bureau of the Census; and (2) 3-year average per capita income by State and the source is the Bureau of Economic Analysis, Department of Commerce. Income factors for eligibility do not apply to this program. Grantees receive Federal matching at a rate of 75 percent of their expenditures up to the limit of their allocation.

This program does not have MOE requirements.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Grant awards are made quarterly on a fiscal year basis through a letter of credit. The Electronic Transfer System will be used for monthly cash draw-downs from Federal Reserve Banks. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: quarterly.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

At the end of the fifth fiscal year, a final review of progress toward accomplishment of goals is due. Quarterly PSC-272. Interim review of progress toward accomplishment of the goals of the plan are due at the end of each of the first four fiscal years. Annual SF-269. Performance monitoring is not applicable.

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

Records

States are required to maintain adequate fiscal records, and to make reports as required by DHHS.

Program Accomplishments

Fiscal Year 2008: In fiscal year 2008, 213 grants were awarded. Fiscal Year 2009: It is anticipated for FY 2009 that 213 grants will be awarded. Fiscal Year 2010: It is anticipated for FY 2010 that 213 grants will be awarded.

Financial Information

Account Identification

75-1536-0-1-506.

Obligations

(Formula Grants (Apportionments)) FY 08 $281,744,408; FY 09 est $281,744,000; FY 10 est $281,744,000

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

States and Territories: $155,411 to $32,836,943 with an average of $5,292,636
Tribes: $1,314 to $937,529 with an average of $37,558.

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

45 CFR 1355 and 45 CFR 1357.

Related Programs

93.556 Promoting Safe and Stable Families; 93.600 Head Start; 93.648 Child Welfare Services Training Grants; 93.658 Foster Care_Title IV-E; 93.659 Adoption Assistance; 93.667 Social Services Block Grant

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

See Regional Agency Offices. Contact Regional Administrator, ACY. (See Appendix IV of the Catalog for a list of addresses of the Regional offices.).

Headquarters Office

Eileen West 1250 Maryland Ave, SW, Washington, District of Columbia 20024 Phone: 202-205-8438

Web Site Address

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

Examples of Funded Projects

Not Applicable.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Not Applicable.