Refugee and Entrant Assistance-Voluntary Agency Programs (93.567)

 

Program

93.567 Refugee and Entrant Assistance-Voluntary Agency Programs

 

Federal Agency

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

 

Authorization

Refugee Act of 1980, Section 412, Public Law 96- 212, 94 Stat. 111, 8 U.S.C. 1522, as amended, Public Laws 97-363, 99- 605, 101-167, and 101-517.

 

Program Number

93.567

 

Last Known Status

Active

 

Objectives

To assist refugees in becoming self-supporting and independent members of American society, by providing grant funds to private nonprofit organizations to support case management, transitional assistance, and social services for new arrivals.

 

Types of Assistance

Project Grants.

 

Uses and Use Restrictions

Federal funds of up to $2,000 per refugee were provided on a matching basis of $2.00 of Federal funds for each $1.00 of private funds. Required services included case management, job development, and maintenance support for up to 4 months. Assistance could also be used for English language training, job training, medical support, maintenance and cash allowance.

 

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Grant awards are limited to private nonprofit organizations which have a Reception and Placement Grant with the Department of State or Department of Justice and are to provide the prescribed services to eligible recipient refugees.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Refugees will be determined eligible by the grantee agencies as verified by Health and Human Services (HHS) monitoring. Refugees must be enrolled within 31 days of arrival. Entrants/asylees must be enrolled within 31 days of granting of parole or asylum.

Credentials/Documentation

Newly arriving refugees with an employable refugee in the case with documentation from the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS), formerly INS, as to refugee, entrant/asylee status are eligible. Cost principles for nonprofit organizations will be determined by OMB Circular No. A-122. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87.

 

Application and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure

This program is subject to the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-110. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102.

Award Procedure

Eligible applicants submit a signed application to HHS. This document includes a detailed program proposal and budget. Subsequent to review by an independent panel and the analysis of funding recommendations, the Director makes final funding decisions and grant awards are issued.

Deadlines

Determined annually. Program operates on a calendar year.

 

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Appeals

Not applicable.

Renewals

Continuations require additional appropriations.

 

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

Grants are awarded on a basis of $2.00 in Federal funds for each $1.00 of private funds up to a maximum of $2,000 per refugee. Up to 80 percent of the nonfederal share may be through in-kind donations, with a minimum required cash match of 20 percent.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Funds are awarded in the fiscal year for which the appropriation was made. Grants project and budget periods are on a calendar year basis and are generally awarded with a 3-year project period and incremental 1-year budget periods.

 

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Program Progress Reports are required every four months and Financial Reports are required semi-annually. A programmatic narrative report is due February 15th of each year. An interim final financial statement is due 90 days after the program period has ended and a final financial report is due 210 days after the projected period.

Audits

Periodic audits should be made as part of the recipient's systems of financial management and internal control to meet terms and conditions of grants and other agreements. 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.

Records

The grantee shall maintain individual case records on all refugees counted as receiving services.

 

Program Accomplishments

In calendar year 2002, refugee arrivals virtually ceased after the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the U.S in 2001. The voluntary agencies program continues to serve refugees eligible for the Matching Grant program. Approximately 80% of refugees participating in the program become self-sufficient within 120 days. Nine agencies continue to receive awards in calendar years 2002 and 2003.

 

Financial Information

Account Identification

75-1503-0-1-609.

Obligations

FY 02 $58,710,000; FY 03 est $61,560,000; and FY 04 est $43,000,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

The average grant amount was $6,000,000 to a voluntary agency, and $200,000 to a local affiliate. Federal funds listed must be matched by 50% in private funds.

 

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

All inquiries should be directed to the Information Contact listed below.

 

Related Programs

93.566, Refugee and Entrant Assistance_State Administered Programs; 93.576, Refugee and Entrant Assistance_Discretionary Grants; 93.584, Refugee and Entrant Assistance_Targeted Assistance.

 

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

Not applicable.

Headquarters Office

Ron Munia, 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) 401-4559. Use the same number for FTS.

Web Site Address

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

 

Examples of Funded Projects

In fiscal year 2002 and fiscal year 2003, the nine voluntary agencies continue to serve match grant refugees in approximately 100 sites around the nation.

 

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Matching grant awards are made on the basis of a panel review using evaluation criteria contained in the program guidelines implemented in January 2000.