Basic Center Grant

 

The purpose of the Basic Center Program is to establish or strengthen the capacity of community-based public and private agencies to address the immediate needs of runaway and homeless youth under the age of 18 and their families. Emergency shelter and supportive 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) provide outreach, crisis intervention and aftercare; 2) reunite youth with their families, if deemed safe, 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 on constructive courses of action. Additional programs funded under this listing include the National Communication System for Runaway and Homeless Youth Program, which is a dedicated toll-free, U.S. national communication system that provides information, referral services, crisis intervention, prevention approaches, and other supportive services to vulnerable, at-risk, and runaway and homeless youth and their families or legal guardians. And, the Runaway Homeless Youth Training and Technical Assistance Center (RHYTTAC), which provides direct training and technical assistance to existing and potential RHY grant recipients and subrecipients to enhance their efforts to successfully implement projects supported by FYSB grant funds.

General information about this opportunity
Last Known Status
Active
Program Number
93.623
Federal Agency/Office
Administration For Children and Families, Department of Health and Human Services
Type(s) of Assistance Offered
B - Project Grants
Program Accomplishments
Fiscal Year 2016 It is anticipated that a total of 288 grants will be awarded, to include 95 for new start programs and 193 grant awards to support existing programs. A total of 296 grants were awarded, to include 98 for new programs and 198 grant awards to support existing programs.
Fiscal Year 2017 In 2017 a total of 282 grant awards were made, to include 101 for new programs and 181 grant awards to support existing programs.
Fiscal Year 2018 A total of 281 grants were awarded, with 85 being new awards and 196 awards to support existing programs.
Fiscal Year 2019 A total of 266 grants were awarded with 86 being new awards and 180 being non-competing continuations to support existing programs.
Fiscal Year 2020 A total of 295 grants were awarded with 128 being new awards and 167 being non-competing continuation to support existing programs.
Fiscal Year 2022 A total of 297 awards were made with 91 being new awards and 206 being non-competing continuation awards to support existing programs.
Fiscal Year 2023 It is estimated a total of 312 awards will be awarded with 139 being new awards and 173 being non-competing continuation awards to support existing programs.
Authorization
Runaway and Homeless Youth Act, Title III, Part A, Section 311, 34 U.S.C. 11211
Who is eligible to apply/benefit from this assistance?
Applicant Eligibility
Public and nonprofit entities and combinations of such entities are eligible to apply unless they are part of the juvenile justice system. For profit organizations are not eligible. Private institutions of higher education must be non-profit entities. In selecting applications for award, ACF shall give priority to eligible applicants who have demonstrated experience in providing services to runaway and homeless youth. Applications from individuals (including sole proprietorships) and foreign entities are not eligible. Faith-based and community organizations that meet the eligibility requirements are eligible to receive awards.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Runaway and homeless youth and their families are the beneficiaries. Services can be provided to youth under the age of 18.
Credentials/Documentation
Nonprofit organizations must submit proof of nonprofit status. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) adopted the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Guidance in 2 CFR part 200, and has codified the text, with HHS-specific amendments in 45 CFR Part 75. ACF recipients must follow the requirements in 45 CFR Part 75.
What is the process for applying and being award this assistance?
Pre-Application Procedure
Preapplication coordination is not applicable.
Application Procedure
2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. Applicants may find and apply to Notices of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs) on https://www.grants.gov.
Award Procedure
Each application will be screened to determine whether it meets any of the disqualifying factors: missing the application deadline, required electronic submission or waiver requested and approved, or exceeding the Award Ceiling. Disqualified applications are considered to be "non-responsive" and are excluded from the competitive review process. Applications competing for financial assistance will be reviewed and evaluated by objective review panels using only the criteria described in NOFO. Each panel is composed of experts with knowledge and experience in the area under review. Generally, review panels include three reviewers and one chairperson. Results of the competitive objective review are taken into consideration by ACF in the selection of projects for funding; however, objective review scores and rankings are not binding. Scores and rankings are only one element used in the award decision-making process. If identified in Section I. Program Description, ACF reserves the right to consider preferences to fund organizations serving emerging, unserved, or under-served populations, including those populations located in pockets of poverty. In addition, ACF reserves the right to evaluate applications in the larger context of the overall portfolio by considering geographic distribution of federal funds (e.g. ensuring coverage of states, counties, or service areas) in its pre-award decisions. ACF may elect not to fund applicants with management or financial problems that would indicate an inability to successfully complete the proposed project. In addition, ACF may elect to not allow a prime recipient to subaward if there is any indication that they are unable to properly monitor and manage subrecipients. Applications may be funded in whole or in part. Successful applicants may be funded at an amount lower than requested.
Deadlines
See the Notice of Funding Opportunity for application deadlines.
Approval/Disapproval Decision Time
From 60 to 90 days.
Appeals
Not applicable.
Renewals
Awards are generally made for 3-year project periods with three 12-month budget periods. Annually, non-competing continuations will be issued based on availability of funds, satisfactory progress, compliance with award terms and conditions and a determination that continuation funding is in the best interest of the federal government.
How are proposals selected?
The criteria for selecting proposals will be published in the NOFO.
How may assistance be used?
Each Basic Center Program is required to provide temporary shelter for up to 21 days; food; clothing; individual, group and family counseling; aftercare and referrals, as appropriate. Basic Center Programs shelters must accommodate no fewer than 4 and no more than 20 youth in a single structure 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. Costs of organized fund raising, including financial campaigns, endowment drives, solicitation of gifts and bequests, and similar expenses incurred to raise capital or obtain contributions are unallowable. Fund raising costs for the purposes of meeting the Federal program objectives are allowable with prior written approval from the Federal awarding agency. (45 CFR §75.442) Proposal costs are the costs of preparing bids, proposals, or applications on potential Federal and non-Federal awards or projects, including the development of data necessary to support the non-Federal entity's bids or proposals. Proposal costs of the current accounting period of both successful and unsuccessful bids and proposals normally should be treated as indirect (F&A) costs and allocated currently to all activities of the non-Federal entity. No proposal costs of past accounting periods will be allocable to the current period. (45 CFR §75.460) Awards will not allow reimbursement of pre-award costs. Construction is not an allowable activity or expenditure under this award. Costs for renovation of existing structures are authorized but may not exceed 15 percent of the amount awarded. Costs for acquisition is not allowable by statute. Applicants are advised that no funds may be used for any program of distributing sterile needles or syringes for the hypodermic injection of any illegal drug. Prospective recipients are advised that entities receiving BCP funds and operating a program to distribute sterile needles or syringes for hypodermic injections of illegal drugs must account for all funds used for such programs separately from any expenditure of BCP funds. HHS funds may not be spent for an abortion. The prohibition on using HHS funds for abortion has an exception for cases of rape, incest, or danger of death to the pregnant woman.
What are the requirements after being awarded this opportunity?
Reporting
Performance Reports: Performance progress reports are required using the SF-PPR ACF Performance Progress Report. The frequency of reporting is semi-annual. For more information, see: https://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/manage-grant/reporting. Funded applicants are required to submit semi-annual program narrative reports, a final program narrative at the completion of the three-year funding cycle as well as Runaway and Homeless Youth –Homeless Management Information System (RHY-HMIS) client service data reports. Tangible Personal Property - If requesting funds to purchase equipment, the recipient must request prior approval. When the equipment is no longer needed, the SF-428 Tangible Personal Property—Cover Page with the SF-428 Attachment C must be submitted to the Office of Grants Management. Please see the ACF Property, Tangible Personal Property Reporting instructions at https://www.acf.hhs.gov/tangible-personal-property#book_content_1 and the ACF Property, Tangible Personal Property Disposition instructions at https://www.acf.hhs.gov/tangible-personal-property#book_content_2.
Auditing
45 CFR Part 75 Subpart F applies to this program.
Records
All records are to be maintained in accordance with 45 CFR ?? 75.361-365.
Other Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Statutory formula is not applicable to this assistance listing.

Matching is mandatory. 10%. Federal share of award is up to 90 percent pursuant to 34 U.S.C. § 11274 . The nonfederal share may be in cash or in-kind contributions.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Awards are made competitively for project periods of three years, with three 12-month budget periods. Post award, the Division of Payment Management will establish an account from which a recipient may draw down award funds.
Who do I contact about this opportunity?
Regional or Local Office
None/Not specified.
Headquarters Office
Christopher Holloway
330 C Street, SW
Washington, DC 20201 US
christopher.holloway@acf.hhs.gov
Phone: (202) 205-9560
Website Address
https://www.acf.hhs.gov/fysb
Financial Information
Account Identification
75-1536-0-1-506
Obligations
(Project Grants) FY 22$56,132,742.00; FY 23 est $59,504,934.00; FY 24 est $62,015,085.00; - Basic Center Program(Cooperative Agreements) FY 22$2,100,000.00; FY 23 est $25,000,000.00; FY 24 est $25,000,000.00; - Runaway and Homeless Youth Training and Technical Assistance Center(Cooperative Agreements) FY 22$16,000,000.00; FY 23 est $1,800,000.00; FY 24 est $1,800,000.00; - National Communication System
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
The range of Basic Center Program awards in Fiscal Year 2022 was from $99,000 to $200,000 per budget period. The average award is $190,230, per budget period.
Regulations, Guidelines and 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 "About" section. Information is also available through the National Clearinghouse on Homeless Youth and Families, 4340 East-West Highway Suite 1100 Bethesda, MD 20814. Telephone: 833-438-7494. The National Clearinghouse on Homeless Youth and Families website is https://rhyclearinghouse.acf.hhs.gov and the email address is address is GetRHYi@NCHYF.org The RHY program regulations are found at 45 CFR Part 1351.
Examples of Funded Projects
Not applicable.

 


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