Runaway and Homeless Youth (93.623)

Program

93.623 Runaway and Homeless Youth

Federal Agency

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

Authorization

Reconnecting Homeless Youth Act, Public Law 110-378 A.

Program Number

93.623

Last Known Status

Active

Objectives

The purpose of Part A of the RHY Act (Runaway and Homeless Youth Grant Program) is to establish or strengthen locally controlled community-based programs that address the immediate needs of runaway and homeless youth and their families. Services must be delivered outside of the law enforcement, child welfare, mental health and juvenile justice systems. The goals and objectives of the Basic Center Program are to: 1) Alleviate problems of runaway and homeless youth; 2) reunite youth with their families and encourage the resolution of intra-family problems through counseling and other services; 3) strengthen family relationships and encourage stable living conditions for youth; and 4) help youth decide upon constructive courses of action.

Types of Assistance

PROJECT GRANTS

Uses and Use Restrictions

Each Basic Center program is required to provide outreach to runaway and homeless youth; temporary shelter for up to twenty one (21) days; food; clothing; individual, group and family counseling; aftercare and referrals, as appropriate. Basic Center programs are required to provide their services in residential settings for at no more than twenty (20) youth unless a state or local law or regulation requires a higher maximum to comply with licensure requirements for facilities serving child and youth. Some programs also provide part or all of their shelter services through host homes (usually private homes under contract to the centers), with counseling and referrals being provided from a central location. Basic Center programs offer shelter to youth who are less than 18 years of age and who are at risk of separation from their family.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

States, localities, private entities, and coordinated networks of such entities are eligible to apply for a Basic Center Program grant unless they are part of the law enforcement structure or the juvenile justice system. Federally recognized Indian organizations are also eligible to apply for grants as private, non-profit agencies.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Runaway and homeless youth and their families are the beneficiaries. Services can be provided to youth up to the age of 18.

Credentials/Documentation

Nonprofit organizations must submit proof of nonprofit status. Applicable costs and administrative procedures will be determined in accordance with Parts 74 and 92 of Title 45 of the Code of Federal Regulations. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87.

Application and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

Preapplication coordination is required. 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

This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110. Application for Federal Assistance, Standard Form 424 must be submitted. Specific instructions are published via the Internet under the Form section at the following website address: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants.

Award Procedure

All applications are reviewed by a panel of nonfederal experts which assigns scores according to the published criteria. The panel's scores are factored into the recommendations for funding. Scores and recommendations are reviewed by the Associate Commissioner of the Family and Youth Services Bureau, who makes recommendations to the ACYF Commissioner, who makes the final funding decisions.

Deadlines

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

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

From 60 to 90 days. From 60 to 90 days.

Appeals

Not Applicable.

Renewals

Awards are generally made for 3-year project periods; funding for the second and third year is dependent upon satisfactory performance and availability of funds.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

This program has no statutory formula.

Matching Requirements: Percent: 10.%. Federal share of grant is up to 90 percent. The nonfederal share may be in cash or in-kind contributions. The statute contains a formula for allocation of funds by State. It is based on the population of each State under age 18 as a proportion of the current national population under age 18.

This program does not have MOE requirements.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Grants are awarded competitively for project periods of up to 3 years. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: quarterly.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Program reports are due semiannually. A final report is due 90 days after conclusion of project period. SF-269 Financial reports are due semiannually. A final report is due 90 days after conclusion of project period. No progress reports are required. These are performed semi-annually as SF-269 Reports. These are performed semi-annually as Program 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. Audits are conducted in accordance with the requirements in 45 CFR 74 and 92.

Records

All financial records are to be maintained 3 years after termination of the project or until audit is completed, whichever occurs first.

Program Accomplishments

Fiscal Year 2008: In fiscal year 2008, 371 grants were awarded and $2,121,000 in contracts. Fiscal Year 2009: In fiscal year 2009, It is anticipated that 375 grants will be awarded and $1,255,000 in contracts. Fiscal Year 2010: In fiscal year 2010, iIt is anticipated that 375 grants will be awarded and $1,255,000 in contracts.

Financial Information

Account Identification

75-1536-0-1-506.

Obligations

(Project Grants) FY 08 $52,860,000; FY 09 est $53,469,000; FY 10 est $53,469,000

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

$100,000 to $200,000 per budget period; $128,000.

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

Contact Headquarters Office listed below for available literature. You may also get information on the Family and Youth Services Bureau website at the following address http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/fysb under the "Policy and Legislative Documents" link. Information is also available through the National Clearinghouse on Families and Youth, P.O. Box 13505, Silver Spring, MD 20911-3505. Telephone: (301) 608-8098. Fax: (301) 608-8721. The National Clearinghouse on Families and Youth website address is www.ncfy.com.

Related Programs

93.550 Transitional Living for Homeless Youth; 93.557 Education and Prevention Grants to Reduce Sexual Abuse of Runaway, Homeless and Street Youth; 93.674 Chafee Foster Care Independence Program

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

See Regional Agency Offices. Contact: Administration for Children and Families, Regional Offices, Family and Youth Services Bureau (See Appendix IV of this Catalog for the addresses of the Regional Offices.).

Headquarters Office

Curtis O. Porter 1250 Maryland Avenue, S.W, 8th Fl., Washington, District of Columbia 20024 Phone: 202.205.8306

Web Site Address

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

Examples of Funded Projects

Fiscal Year 2008: 371 grants were awarded. Fiscal Year 2009: 375 grants anticipated to be awarded. Fiscal Year 2010: 375 grants anticipated to be awarded.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

An assessment is made on the basis of the degree to which: (1) The likelihood that the proposal will provide necessary services including shelter, counseling, and aftercare to runaway and other homeless youth and their families; (2) reasonableness of cost of these services; and (3) qualifications of staff. Applications will be evaluated based upon the criteria published in the Funding Opportunity Announcement located on the following website address: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants.