Cuban and Haitian Entrant Resettlement Program (97.009)
Program
97.009 Cuban and Haitian Entrant Resettlement Program
Federal Agency
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Authorization
Refugee Education Assistance Act of 1980, as amended, Title V, Section 501 C, Public Law 96-422, 94 Stat. 1809; Executive Order 12341, January 21, 1982; Economy Act of 1932, 31 U.S.C. 1535, as amended.
Program Number
97.009
Last Known Status
Active
Objectives
(1) To provide primary resettlement services to Cubans and Haitians, paroled into the United States by the INS for humanitarian reasons; (2) to provide secondary resettlement assistance to Cuban and Haitian entrants living in south Florida whose initial resettlement did not lead to their achievement of economic self-sufficiency; and (3) to provide residential shelter care and other child care related services, including family reunification to alien unaccompanied minors in the legal custody of the INS.
Types of Assistance
Project Grants (Cooperative Agreements).
Uses and Use Restrictions
Assistance is limited to Cuban and Haitian entrants as defined in the authorizing Act and alien unaccompanied minors as defined in various Memoranda of Agreements. Federal policy governs further eligibility factors. The scope of services for which funds are available to grantees, or cooperative agreement recipients, are defined in program announcements published in the Federal Register dated March 9, 1981, January 5, 1983, July 5, 1985, May 29, 1987, August 13, 1987, April 12, 1988, June 26, 1989, October 27, 1992, January 5, 1995, and July 26, 1995.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Public or Private, nonprofit organizations or agencies, and under certain conditions for-profit organizations, agencies, or institutions.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Cuban and Haitian nationals who meet the definition of entrant set forth in Title V, Section 501(e) of Public Law 96-422 and various Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) appropriations acts, and alien unaccompanied minors as defined in the Flores v. Reno Settlement.
Credentials/Documentation
Persons for whom assistance is authorized through resettlement programs are limited to Cuban and Haitian nationals who possess Immigration and Naturalization Service documentation as described in Title V of the Refugee Education Assistance Act of 1980 (Public Law 96-422). This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87. Persons for whom shelter care assistance is authorized are alien unaccompanied minors 17 years of age and younger held in the legal custody of the INS.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
Preapplication coordination is not required. 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. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102.
Application Procedure
In response to program announcement and upon submittal of competitively acceptable proposal and standard Form 424 (Federal Assistance Applications) by an eligible nonprofit or for- profit organization, the grantee is eligible for Federal funds to be expended on behalf of the entrant(s) assigned to them. This program is subject to the provisions of OMB Circular Nos. A-110, A-122, A-133 and FAR. 32.1.
Award Procedure
Applications will be reviewed and evaluated by a panel of experts in the fields of social service delivery and refugee/ entrant resettlement. Evaluation is based upon weighted evaluation criteria which are detailed in the Federal Register Program Announcement. Each proposal is completely reviewed, evaluated and ranked according to the weighted criteria published in the program announcement. The review panel will make recommendations to the Director, Humanitarian Affairs Branch, Office of International Affairs, (IAO), INS, who makes the final determinations regarding funding. Awards made to provide shelter care and related child welfare services to alien unaccompanied minors in the custody of the INS are subject to the availability of funds and the concurrence of the Assistant Commissioner, Detention and Deportation, Immigration and Naturalization Service. Upon approval, Notices of Award (NOAs) are sent to grant/cooperative agreement recipients. Three copies of the NOA must be signed by the duly authorized representative and returned to INS.
Deadlines
Proposals submitted in response to program announcements are reviewed and paneled soon after the closing date.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Appeals
Not applicable.
Renewals
A grant or cooperative agreement may be amended in order to extend the program and budgetary period if funds are available and the proposed amendment does not represent a substantive deviation from previous services or costs. Applications may also be renewed through the competitive process after the end of the program period.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
This program has no statutory formula or matching requirements.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Awards are usually made for project periods of 1 to 4 years, and may be extended following application review and approval. Budget periods are for not more than 12 months.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Quarterly Financial (and related statistics) as well as programmatic progress reports, are submitted by the grantee.
Audits
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $300,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $300,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133. Nonprofit organizations are subject to periodic inspection by HQIAO Financial Management Personnel. Recipients may also be subject to financial audits conducted by the Department of Justice, Office of the Inspector General. These audits must be made of the recipient organization in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. These audits should be performed via scheduled intervals, usually annually, but not less frequently than every two years. A copy of each audit report and description of its resolution, shall be furnished to the appropriate regional audit office of DOJ. A copy of each audit transmittal letter should be sent to Humanitarian Affairs Branch, HQIAO, Grants Management Personnel and to Audit Services, Office of the Comptroller, Office of Justice Programs, 810 7th Street, NW., Washington, DC 20531.
Records
Separate financial records must be maintained by the grantee for 3 years from the day on which the grantee submits its last expenditure report for the report period. Records shall be retained beyond the 3 year period if audit findings have not been resolved.
Program Accomplishments
For fiscal year 2002, it is estimated that 7,500 Cuban and Haitian entrants will be served. In fiscal year 2001, the program will serve a projected 8,000 Cuban and Haitian entrants and 250 Cuban and Haitian unaccompanied minors.
Financial Information
Account Identification
70-0504-0-1-999.
Obligations
(Grants) FY 02 $8,400,000; FY 03 est $7,500,000; FY 04 est not available.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Financial assistance ranges up to $2.0 million for a primary resettlement project. The average financial assistance level is approximately $1 million.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
Several regulations apply to the resettlement grants. Until further notice, these include but are not limited to: 28 CFR Part 42, Sub-parts C,G,H and OMB Circular Nos. A- 110, A-122, A-133, and Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Sub-part 32.1. Additional materials are available upon request from the INS, HQIAO, Humanitarian Affairs Branch, 111 Massachusetts Ave., NW., 3rd Floor, Washington, DC 20536.
Related Programs
None.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
INS, HQIAO, HAB, Miami Office: Southeast (Miami office), Room 424, 51 1st Ave., SW., Miami, FL 33130. Telephone: (305) 536-4262.
Headquarters Office
Department of Homeland Security 245 Murray Drive, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20528 Tel. (202) 282-8000.
Web Site Address
Examples of Funded Projects
Projects funded in the past have included services to eligible Cubans and Haitians paroled from Immigration and Naturalization Service. These services included the resettlement in various parts of the United States. Also included are child welfare shelter care programs providing protection and services to entrant and alien unaccompanied minors.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Per the program announcement published in the Federal Register soliciting applications: after consultation with members of the staff of the INS, HQIAO, and other experts in related fields or ad hoc groups, as deemed necessary, the Director of the Humanitarian Affairs Branch will approve the award of grants and cooperative agreements which best promote the primary and secondary resettlement purposes of this program. The Director, HAB, HQIAO will consider the following factors: (1) Organizational and Financial History: (a) Organizational history - philosophy, government mechanism, senior board members, personnel, and members; (b) Financial history - IRS tax status, financial management system, audit history, previous Federal program/projected funds, current funding source; (2) Agency Associations: (a) Experience with volunteer agencies; (b) Experience with social services delivery systems - subcontracts with State and municipal agencies, membership on governmental service boards, association and/or affiliation with other nonprofit or related organizations and groups; (3) Program and Services History: (a) Understanding of service issues and population; (b) Previous refugee services experience; (c) Current program focus - direct services, information and referral activities, counseling/crisis intervention; (d) Current and potential volunteer assistance; (e) Project growth; (4) Resettlement plan: (a) Program specifics - numbers of refugees to be settled, duration of program; (b) Program strategy - employment/training, housing/household goods, clothing, health care, 5. English as a Second Language education, acculturation/counseling, transportation services, crisis intervention, follow-up; (c) Sponsorship breakdown plan; (d) Networking and coordination with on-going State and municipal service systems; (e) Program organization - staff organization/management, staff experience, extent of participation by volunteers; (5) Financial Management Plan: (a) Per capita cost; (b) Administrative costs; (c) Direct service cost categorized. The Director, HAB, HQIAO will also consider the results of the applications review conducted by panels of experts in the field of primary and secondary resettlement of Cubans and Haitians or in the field of social services. These panels will use the following weighted criteria to evaluate the proposals: A. The qualifications of the applicant organization or agency and the local organization if applicable, with respect to: 1. Demonstrated experience in the resettlement/placement of or provision of services to Cuban/Haitian entrants or other Nationalities; and, 2. demonstrated capacity for effective programmatic and fiscal management and accountability. (10 POINTS) B. The rationale for the proposed selection of resettlement site(s) location as evidenced by: 1. The quantitative and qualitative descriptions of the characteristics of the proposed resettlement city; 2. The institutional presence or broad support base of the applicant agency, or, the presence of a local organization in the proposed resettlement city; and, 3. Documentation of community support. (10 POINTS) C. The adequacy of the overall general program design in terms of: 1. Proposed phase activities, services, and times; 2. Proposed plans for overall agency management and program management, including clear organizational charts reflecting lines of authority and responsibility; and 3. Staff qualifications, staffing patterns, and proposed staff training. (15 POINTS) D. The capacity for providing required program services, as demonstrated by: 1. The program plan to provide basic services during all periods and phases of the program; 2. an integrated program plan to provide all program services during the Reception/Processing and resettlement phases; 3. sensitivity to the issues of culture, race, ethnicity; and 4. utilization of resources in a manner which promotes and fosters cultural identification and mutual support. (20 POINTS) E. The degree to which the applicant provides for effective program structure and accountability as demonstrated by administrative and programmatic controls, as well as program and client records and reports. (10 POINTS) F. The adequacy of the program evaluation plan, including the methodology and criteria for evaluating effective of the program in resettling the clients. (10 POINTS) For those applications submitted in response to the Federal Register notice soliciting proposals to operate the alien unaccompanied minors shelter care program, the Director, HAB, HQIAO will consider the following factors in selecting applications for funding: (1) Organizational capability for developing implementing and administering a shelter care program, quality of program management and staffing plan demonstrating program management and plan for intra-program coordination; (2) Plan for coordination with community and government agencies; (3) Qualifications of organization as a provider of child welfare or other Social Services; (4) Capacity for effective fiscal management and accountability including sub-recipients; (5) Plan for staff supervision and intra- program communication; (6) Plan for hiring of staff with relevant education and experience; (c) Documented program resources which support proposed program services; (d) Ability to demonstrate effective program control and accountability in the program design; (e) Reasonable budget and budget narrative; (f) Documented evidence of community and program support. The Director, HAB, HQIAO will also consider the results of the application review conducted by a panel of experts in the area of child welfare and child care shelter programs. This panel will use the following evaluation weighted criteria: 1. The degree to which the entire proposed plan for developing, implementing and administering a shelter care program is clear, succinct, integrated, efficient, cost effective and likely to achieve program objectives. (15 POINTS) 2. The quality of the applicant's program management and staffing plans as demonstrated by: a. The adequacy of the plan for program management and the plan for coordination between the components of the program. b. The adequacy of the plan for coordination with community and governmental agencies. c. The adequacy of the qualifications of the applicant organization, and the extent to which this organization has a demonstrated record as a provider of child welfare or other social services. d. The extent to which the applicant has a demonstrated capacity for effective fiscal management and accountability. e. The extent to which sub-recipient(s)/subcontractor(s) have a demonstrated capacity for effective fiscal and program management and accountability. f. The adequacy of the plans for staff supervision and intra-program communication. g. The adequacy of the staffing plans in terms of the relationship between the proposed functions and responsibilities of the staff in the program, and the education and relevant experience required for the position. h. Clear organizational charts delineating organizational relationships and levels of authority, including the identification of the staff position accountable for the overall management, direction and progress of the program. (20 POINTS) 3. Program Services - The applicant's response to the required program services, including a description of program resources which demonstrates: a. The capacity of the program to offer comprehensive, integrated and differential services which meet the needs of the clients. b. Utilization of resources in a manner which enhances program control, structure and accountability. c. Provision of services in a manner which promotes and fosters cultural identification and mutual support. d. Sensitivity to the issues of culture, race, ethnicity and native language. (20 POINTS) 4. The degree to which the applicant provides effective strategies of programmatic control, predictability and accountability as evidenced by the structure and continuity inherent in the program design. (15 POINTS) 5. The adequacy of the plans for: a. developing and updating individual client service plans; and, b. the proposed system of case management. (10 POINTS) 6. The reasonableness of the proposed budget and budget narrative, in relation to proposed program activities. (10 POINTS) 7. The plan for program evaluation, including the methodology and criteria for evaluation the program. (5 POINTS) 8. The degree to which the application has provided written documented evidence of community support and acceptance of the program. (5 POINTS)
