Refugee and Entrant Assistance-State Administered Programs (93.566)

 

Program

93.566 Refugee and Entrant Assistance-State Administered Programs

 

Federal Agency

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

 

Authorization

Refugee Act of 1980, Section 412, 94 Stat. 111, 8 U.S.C. 1522, as amended, Public Laws 96-212, 97-363 and 99-605; Refugee Education Assistance Act of 1980, Title V, 94 Stat. 1809, 8 U.S.C. 1522 note, as amended, Public Laws 96-422, 96-424, 97-35, 100-436, 101-166, 101-302, 101-517, and 102-170.

 

Program Number

93.566

 

Last Known Status

Active

 

Objectives

To subsidize States for assistance provided to refugees, asylees, Cuban and Haitian entrants, victims of a severe form of trafficking and certain Amerasians from Viet Nam for resettlement throughout the country, by funding maintenance and medical assistance, and social services for eligible designated population. State agencies may purchase training and services from other providers. Refugees in the U.S. may be assisted regardless of national origin.

 

Types of Assistance

Formula Grants.

 

Uses and Use Restrictions

Assistance is limited to refugees, asylees, Cuban and Haitian entrants, and certain Amerasians from Viet Nam, and victims of a severe form of trafficking as defined in the authorizing Acts, supplemented by appropriate documentation provided to the refugee from the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS), formerly INS. Federal policy governs other eligibility factors. The scope of services for which funds are available to State and local welfare and health agencies for assistance on behalf of eligible refugees is similar to that in the regular domestic public assistance programs.

 

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

The State agency designated by the State as responsible for the Refugee Resettlement Program is eligible to receive subsidies for providing cash and medical assistance and social services to eligible refugees.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Refugees who meet requirements of the refugee and entrant assistance program in the State in which they reside.

Credentials/Documentation

Persons for whom assistance is authorized are limited to refugees in alien status, with documentation from the BCIS as to refugee status, to certain Amerasian immigrants and their accompanying family members, and to Cuban and Haitian entrants with documentation from the BCIS as to status to certain Amerasian immigrants and their accompanying family members, allowed under Title V of the Refugee Education Assistance Act of 1980, and victims of a severe form of trafficking who have received a certification or eligibility letter from ORR. Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87 for State and local governments.

 

Application and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

None. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure

Upon submittal of approved State plans and annual State estimates, agencies are eligible for Federal funds to be expended on behalf of refugees. Refugees should contact State or local public welfare agencies. This program is subject to the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-102. The standard application forms, as furnished by DHHS and required by OMB Circular No. A-102, must be used for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110.

Award Procedure

Grants are made to designated State agencies. State agencies submit quarterly expenditure and program performance reports.

Deadlines

Deadlines will be set in accordance with 45 CFR, Part 400 and other instructions to States. Contact Headquarters Office below for further information.

 

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Appeals

Not applicable.

Renewals

Annual.

 

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

In fiscal year 2003, the program will subsidize, to the extent of available appropriations, cash and medical assistance and social services provided to or on behalf of eligible refugees and Cuban and Haitian entrants. This program has a statutory formula for social services, but no other statutory formula or matching requirements.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Funds are appropriated on a yearly basis. Payments to States are made through the Payment Management System (PMS). Funds for Cash and Medical Assistance must be obligated within the fiscal year of appropriation and liquidated within the next fiscal year. Funds for social services must be obligated by end of the fiscal year after the fiscal year of appropriation and liquidated within the following fiscal year.

 

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Quarterly expenditure and program performance (and related statistics) reports are provided by the State agency.

Audits

In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A- 133 (Revised, June 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit 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. In addition, grants and cooperative agreements are subject to inspection and audits by DHHS and other Federal government officials.

Records

Separate financial records must be maintained by State agency for 3 years after final payment or of the time period for the particular records in Parts 1-20 of Federal Procurement Regulations, whichever expires earlier.

 

Program Accomplishments

In fiscal year 2002, the refugee ceiling was set at 75,000; and approximately 20,000 Cuban/Haitian entrants. An unknown number of persons granted asylum will be assisted. For FY 2003,75,000 refugees, 20,000 Cuban and Haitian entrants and about 500 victims of a severe form of trafficking is the anticipated service population, including an unknown number of asylees.

 

Financial Information

Account Identification

75-1503-0-1-609.

Obligations

(Grants) FY 02 $242,147,876; FY 03 est $242,147,876; FY 04 est $227,291,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

(CMA) From $5,000 to $25,000,000; (Social Services) From $75,000 to $15,000,000; $725,000.

 

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

45 CFR 400, Subpart E and Subpart G. Various materials are available on request from the Office of Refugee resettlement, Administration for Children and Families, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, DC 20447.

 

Related Programs

93.567, Refugee and Entrant Assistance_Voluntary Agency Program; 93.576, Refugee and Entrant Assistance_Discretionary Grants; 93.583, Refugee and Entrant Assistance_Wilson/Fish Program; 93.584, Refugee and Entrant Assistance_Targeted Assistance.

 

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

Contact: Pamela Green-Smith. Telephone: (202) 401-4531.

Headquarters Office

Office of Refugee Resettlement, Administration for Children and Families, Department of Health and Human Services, 8th Floor, West, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW., Washington, DC 20447. Telephone: (202) 401-4531. Pamela Green-Smith.

Web Site Address

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

 

Examples of Funded Projects

(1) Cash assistance for up to 8 months, (2) case management, (3) employment services, and (4) English language training.

 

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Notice of the criteria for awarding funds for special project grants are published in the Federal Register.