Food Stamp Program Research Grants To Improve Access Through New Technology And Partnerships (10.580)

Program

10.580 Food Stamp Program Research Grants To Improve Access Through New Technology And Partnerships

Federal Agency

Agency: Department of Agriculture
Office: Food and Nutrition Service

Authorization

Section, 17a(1), Food Stamp Act of 1977, 7 U.S.C. 2026(a)(a); Section 17(b)(1), 7 U.S.C. 2026(b)(1); Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002, Public Law 107-171.

Program Number

10.580

Last Known Status

Active

Objectives

Outreach Grants: The purpose of these grants is to study effective strategies to inform and educate eligible low-income people not currently participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (Formally known as the Food Stamp Program) about the nutrition benefits of the program, eligibility rules, and how to apply so that they can make an informed decision about whether to participate in the program. Program Participation Grants: The purpose of the Program Participation grants is to support efforts by State agencies and their community-based and faith-based partners to develop and implement: 1) Simple SNAP application and eligibility systems; or 2) Measures to improve access to SNAP benefits by eligible applicants.

Types of Assistance

PROJECT GRANTS

Uses and Use Restrictions

Program Participation Grants: Funds for program participation projects are to be used to improve the quality and efficiency of operations within SNAP offices and no more than 25 percent of the grant funds may be used for outreach activities. Applications must comply with criteria listed in the Request for Application package. Outreach Grants: Funds are used for research into SNAP outreach strategies to one or more of the targeted groups of people who are eligible for the program but traditionally underused food stamp benefits. Applications must comply with criteria listed in the Request for Application package. Applications must comply with criteria listed in the Request for Application package.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Outreach Grants: Public organizations, with the exception of State and local SNAP agencies; and Private, nonprofit organizations; specific instructions provided in Request for Application. Program Participation Grants: State agencies that administer the SNAP, State or local governments; agencies that provide health or welfare services; public health or educational entities and private nonprofit entities such as community-based or faith-based organizations, food banks, or other emergency feeding organizations.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Persons potentially eligible for SNAP benefits (low-income individuals or families).

Credentials/Documentation

Proof of nonprofit status is required of nonprofit organizations and institutions. Nonprofits must also submit an IRS Determination Letter, Form 501C (3). Specific instructions provided in Request for Application. OMB Circular No. A-87 applies to this program.

Application and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

Instructions provided in Request for Application. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure

OMB Circular No. A-102 applies to this program. OMB Circular No. A-110 applies to this program. Application package should be prepared in accordance with instructions in a specific Request for Application (RFA) and sent to the grant officer identified in the RFA.

Award Procedure

A Grant Review Technical Panel objectively reviews all complete and timely applications according to established review criteria provided in the Request for Applications and makes recommendations to Agency officials, who make final award decisions.

Deadlines

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

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Provided in Request for Application.

Appeals

Instructions provided in Request for Application.

Renewals

Instructions provided in Request for Application.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

Statutory formulas are not applicable to this program.

Matching requirements are not applicable to this program.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this program.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Provided in Request for Application. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: by letter of credit.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

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. In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133; Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations; State governments that expend Federal financial assistance of $500,000 or more within any fiscal year shall have either a single audit or (in certain cases) a program specific audit made for that year. Audits may be conducted less frequently under conditions specified in A-133.

Records

State agencies must maintain records as necessary to support the use of SNAP Grant funds in accordance with the Grant Agreement. Such records must be retained for a period of 3 years after the date of submission of the final report for the fiscal year to which the records pertain, except that if audit findings have not been resolved, the records shall be retained beyond the three year period as long as required for the resolution of the issues raised by the audit.

Program Accomplishments

Fiscal Year 2008: Unavailable. Fiscal Year 2009: Unavailable. Fiscal Year 2010: Unavailable.

Financial Information

Account Identification

12-3505-0-1-605.

Obligations

(Salaries) FY 08 $5,970,709; FY 09 est $8,983,189; FY 10 est $6,000,000

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

Unavailable.

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

Outreach Grants: 7 CFR Part 3016, 7 CFR Part 3017, 7 CFR Part 3018. Program Participation Grants: 7 CFR Part 3015, 7 CFR Part 3016, 7CFR Part 3017, 7 CFR Part 3021, 7 CFR Part 3019.

Related Programs

Not Applicable.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

None. Grants Management Division, Food and Nutrition Service, Department of Agriculture, Alexandria, VA 22302. Telephone: (703) 305-2867. Contact: Leslie Byrd, Grant Officer for Outreach Grants, or Lisa Johnson, Grant Officer for Program Participation Grants.

Headquarters Office

Leslie Byrd Food and Nutrition Service, Financial Management
Grants Management Branch
3101 Park Center Drive, Alexandria, Virginia 22302 Email: Leslie.Byrd@fns.usda.gov Phone: 703-305-2867 Fax: 703-605-0363

Web Site Address

http://www.fns.usda.gov.

Examples of Funded Projects

Fiscal Year 2008: Grants: http://www.fns.usda.gov/fsp/outreach/grants/2004/2005-summary.htm and http://www.fns.usda.gov/fsp/outreach/grants/2004/summary.htm. Program Participation Grants: http://www.fns.usda.gov/fsp/government/participation-grants.htm. www.fns.usda.gov/fsp/government/06-participation-grants.htm. www.fns.usda.gov/fsp/government/pdf/2007-participation-grants.pdf. Fiscal Year 2009: None available. Fiscal Year 2010: None available.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

The review panel to score and rank applications uses Technical Review Criteria, which are furnished to all applicants in the Request for Applications package.