Child Support Enforcement Research

 

To provide federal funds for experimental, pilot, or demonstration projects that are likely to assist in promoting the objectives of Part D of Title IV. Section 1115 of the Social Security Act, which stipulates that 'the project - 1) must be designed to improve the financial well-being of children or otherwise improve the operation of the child support program; 2) may not permit modifications in the child support program which would have the effect of disadvantaging children in need of support; and 3) must not result in increased cost to the federal government under Part A of such title." The principal purpose is to carry out the public purpose of implementing a demonstration project that is likely to "improve the financial well-being of children or otherwise improve the operation of the child support program" as stated in the statutory authority. Any responsibility to the federal government is a condition for receiving the grant, but not a principal purpose.

General information about this opportunity
Last Known Status
Active
Program Number
93.564
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 8-10 new grants will be awarded. OCSE awarded 7 new grants and 18 continuation grants.
Fiscal Year 2017 24 continuation grants were awarded.
Fiscal Year 2018 12 continuation grants and 14 new grants were awarded.
Fiscal Year 2019 OCSE will award 7 continuation grants and up to 25 new grants.
Fiscal Year 2020 OCSE will award 7 continuation grants and up to 25 new grants.
Authorization
Social Security, Title IV, Part D, Section 1115, 42 U.S.C. 1315
Who is eligible to apply/benefit from this assistance?
Applicant Eligibility
Section 1115 grants may be made only to State or Tribal Child Support Enforcement agencies or their umbrella agencies.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Only Title IV-D Child Support Agencies or Tribal Child Support Program operating a comprehensive program.
Credentials/Documentation
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. When appropriate, applicants should present written evidence of other agencies' willingness to cooperate when the project involves their cooperation or the utilization of their facilities or service.
What is the process for applying and being award this assistance?
Pre-Application Procedure
Preapplication coordination is required. 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
2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. The standard application forms must be used for this program. Eligible interested parties are encouraged to submit applications on Grants.gov. The application must be executed by an individual authorized to act for the applicant agency or organization and to assume for the agency or organization the obligations imposed by the terms and conditions of the grant.
Award Procedure
Recipients are notified that funds have been awarded through a Notice of Award (NOA) issued by the Administration for Children and Families. Funds are disbursed through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Payment Management System (PMS).
Deadlines
Not applicable.
Approval/Disapproval Decision Time
From 60 to 120 days.
Appeals
There is no appeal process for unsuccessful applicants. For existing recipients, subject to the limitations of the Appendix A to 45 CFR Part 16, appeals may take place in accordance with 45 CFR Part 16.
Renewals
Extensions and continuations of grants with 1-year project periods are generally not available except under extreme circumstances. If an application is recommended for approval for 2 or more years, the grantee must submit a formal request for continuation each year accompanied by a progress report which will be evaluated prior to a recommendation of continuation. Non-competing continuations will be issued based on availability of funds, satisfactory progress, compliance with grant terms and conditions and a determination that continuation funding is in the best interest of the federal government.
How are proposals selected?
Applications competing for financial assistance will be reviewed and evaluated by objective review panels using only the criteria described in FOA. 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.
How may assistance be used?
Funds can be only used for purposes described in the funding opportunity announcements issued for this Federal Assistance number each fiscal year.
What are the requirements after being awarded this opportunity?
Reporting
Performance Reports: Periodic monitoring is conducted by the Federal Project Officer when progress reports are reviewed.
Auditing
In accordance with the provisions of 2 CFR 200, Subpart F- Audit Requirements, non-federal entities that expend financial assistance of $750,00 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. 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. Audits are conducted in accordance with the requirements of 45 CFR Part 75 Subpart F.
Records
Retention requirements for records are covered by the provisions of 45 CFR SSSS75.361-365 and generally must be retained for three years from the submission date of the final expenditure report.
Other Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Statutory formula is not applicable to this assistance listing.

Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Section 1115 grants typically have a five year project period with five 12-month budget periods. The project duration is specified in the funding opportunity announcement. For multi- year projects, non-competing continuations will be issued based on availability of funds, satisfactory progress, compliance with grant terms and conditions and a determination that continuation funding is in the best interest of the federal government. Annually
Who do I contact about this opportunity?
Regional or Local Office
None/Not specified.
Headquarters Office
Senior Advisor Michelle Jadczak
330 C. Street S.W.
Washington, DC 20201 US
michelle.jadczak@acf.hhs.gov
Phone: 2024014578
Website Address
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cse.
Financial Information
Account Identification
75-1501-0-1-609
Obligations
(Project Grants) FY 18$3,652,428.00; FY 19 est $4,000,000.00; FY 20 est $4,000,000.00; FY 17$4,000,000.00; FY 16$4,000,000.00; - OCSE and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) are both eligible to obligate no more than the full annual allocation.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
$150,000 to $800,000. Average changes each fiscal year.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
The pamphlets "Research Grants in Social Security," "Grants Administration Policies," and application kits may be obtained from the ACF, Office of Grants Management, Division of Discretionary Grants, 3th Floor, 330 C. Street SW., Washington, DC 20201.
Examples of Funded Projects
Not applicable.