Supporting Permanent Placements of Foster Care Children Through Electronic Records Exchange

 

The Partnership Fund for Program Integrity Innovation at the Office of Management and Budget funds pilot projects to improve the administration of federal assistance programs by: reducing improper payments; improving administrative efficiency; improving service delivery; and protecting and improving program access for eligible beneficiaries.

This pilot implements real-time, on-line data exchange for states to share records and other information to support permanent placements of foster care children in homes across state lines. The Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) ensures safe and suitable interstate placements for children in foster case. In many cases, permanent placement with relative or adoptive families in other states is in the best interests of the child. But to make these interstate placements - - after doing the required due diligence to ensure that the placement is appropriate for the child – states currently share and exchange case files, information and evaluations, and to collect, track, synthesize and report comprehensive data through paper-based processes. The pilot will test whether an automated system reduces the time to process such cross-state exchanges to determine whether a placement is safe and suitable. The pilot evaluation will measure timeliness of communication, expeditious exchange of case documentation and similar immediate outcomes as well as the utilization and adherence to streamlined ICPC processes.

General information about this opportunity
Last Known Status
Deleted 04/02/2020 (Archived.)
Program Number
93.293
Federal Agency/Office
Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Office: Administration for Children and Families
Type(s) of Assistance Offered
Project Grants (Discretionary)
Program Accomplishments
Fiscal Year 2014: N/A. Fiscal Year 2015: N/A. Fiscal Year 2016: N/A.
Authorization
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2010, Public Law 111-117, 123 Stat. 3171.
Who is eligible to apply/benefit from this assistance?
Applicant Eligibility
Agencies or organizations that have the capacity to facilitate the administration of the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Immediate beneficiaries are states and U.S. Territories in increasing efficiencies in interstate placement of children in foster care. Ultimate beneficiaries are foster care children who will achieve permanency.
Credentials/Documentation
No Credentials or documentation are required. This program is excluded from coverage under 2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles.
What is the process for applying and being award this assistance?
Pre-Application Procedure
Preapplication coordination is not applicable. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.
Application Procedure
This program is excluded from coverage under 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards.
Award Procedure
Grant applications will undergo a panel review. Approved grant applications will receive official notice through a grant award detailing the amount of funds awarded, the purpose of the award, the terms and conditions of the award, and the budget period for which support is given.
Deadlines
Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.
Approval/Disapproval Decision Time
From 30 to 60 days.
Appeals
Not Applicable.
Renewals
Not Applicable.
How are proposals selected?
1. Objectives and need for assistance; 2. Approach; 3. Evaluation; 4. Organizational Capacity; 5. Budget.
How may assistance be used?
According to Public Law 111-117, assistance can be used for pilot projects that “address Federal programs that have a substantial State role in eligibility determination or administration or where Federal-State cooperation could otherwise be beneficial; in aggregate, save at least as much money as they cost; demonstrate the potential to streamline administration or strengthen program integrity; and do not achieve savings primarily by reducing the participation of eligible beneficiaries.”.
What are the requirements after being awarded this opportunity?
Reporting
Grantees under this program will be required to submit Program Performance Reports (PPR) and Financial Progress Reports (FPR) periodically throughout the project period. Monitoring is conducted by the Federal Project Officer (FPO). No cash reports are required. Progress reports are required semi-annually. Federal Finanical Reports (FFR) are due every 6 months. The Federal Project Officer (FPO) will monitor program progress.
Auditing
In accordance with the provisions of 2 CFR 200, Subpart F - Audit Requirements, non-Federal entities that expend financial assistance of $750,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Non-Federal entities that expend less than $750,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in 2 CFR 200.503. All fiscal transactions identifiable to Federal financial assistance are subject to audit by the HHS audit agency, and other Federal officials.
Records
Proper accounting records, identifiable by grant and including all receipts and expenditures, must be maintained for 3 years in accordance with 45 CFR 75.361. Subsequent to an audit they must be maintained until all questions are resolved, or at the end of the regular 3-year period, whichever is later.
Other 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
The project and budget period is 17 months. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: lump sum.
Who do I contact about this opportunity?
Regional or Local Office
None.
Headquarters Office
June Dorn 1250 Maryland Avenue, SW, Suite 8000, Washington, District of Columbia 20024 Email: June.Dorn@acf.hhs.gov Phone: 202-205-9540
Website Address
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/CB
Financial Information
Account Identification
75-0035-0-1-506.
Obligations
(Project Grants) FY 14 $0; FY 15 est $0; and FY 16 est $0
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
1 grant award in the amount of $1,250,000.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
Not Applicable.
Examples of Funded Projects
Not Applicable.

 



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