Refugee and Entrant Assistance Discretionary Grants

 

The objectives of these discretionary programs include: (1) building capacity for the placement of refugees in locations with good opportunities and providing specialized case management for vulnerable cases; (2) assisting low-income refugees with matching funds for individual development accounts and with financial literacy classes; (3) providing micro-credit to refugees interested in starting new businesses but unable to access commercial sources of capital; (4) providing agricultural training and opportunities to improve the local food systems for refugee farmers; (5) promoting integration; (6) assisting refugees to achieve career advancement; (7) assisting refugees to open family based child care businesses; (8) providing technical assistance to the refugee service providers; (9) providing employer based educational and language acquisition opportunities; and (10) and supporting the mental health needs of refugees affected by trauma This listing includes: Refugee Individual Development Accounts (IDA), Refugee Agricultural Partnership Project (RAPP), Refugee Family Child Care Microenterprise Development (RFCCMED), Refugee Career Pathways (RCP), Refugee Microenterprise Development (MED), Preferred Communities (PC), Ethnic Community Self-Help (ECSH), Refugee Technical Assistance Program (RTAP), Services for Afghan Survivors Impacted by Combat (SASIC), (the soon-to-be launched) Support for Trauma-Affected Refugees (STAR) and Employer Engagement Program (EEP). Through the Refugee IDA Program recipients manage IDAs for low-income refugee participants. Eligible refugee participants will open and contribute systematically to IDAs for specified Asset Goals. The RAPP recipients develop strategies that incorporate agriculture and food systems to improve the livelihoods and economic self-sufficiency of refugee families, with particular emphasis on newly arrived refugees. RAPP requirements are to provide: 1) access to land; 2) farming production; 3) training and technical assistance (TA); and 4) coordination with the refugee resettlement community. The RFCCMED Program enables recipients to help refugees to achieve self-sufficiency by establishing small family child care businesses. The program provides refugee participants with training and TA; assists refugee participants in navigating the child care licensing process; and provides direct financial assistance as needed to enable participants to prepare their homes for child care business operation. Through the RCP Program, ORR provides funding to enable refugees to obtain self-sufficiency by obtaining the means to secure professional or skilled employment drawing upon previously acquired knowledge, skills, and experience. The overall goal of the Refugee MED Program is to assist refugees to become economically self-sufficient by 1) assisting refugees to establish microenterprise businesses through the provision of MED loans, Training and TA, and 2) assisting refugees in building credit history and/or repairing their credit score. The goal of the ECSH Program is to support Ethnic Community-Based Organizations (ECBOs) in providing refugee populations with critical services to assist them in becoming integrated members of American society. An ECBO as a non-profit organization whose board of directors is comprised of at least 60 percent current and/or former refugees. The PC Program supports the resettlement of especially vulnerable refugee groups at resettlement sites that PC service providers designate as Preferred Communities. The term refers to locations that offer excellent opportunities for the integration and resettlement of the most vulnerable newly and recently arrived refugees. The RTAP creates a national one-stop source or hub for refugee TA and training. This national hub provides coordinated, innovative TA and training to ORR-funded state refugee programs and ORR funded refugee service providers, filling gaps where no other such TA and training exists. The goal of the Employer Engagement Program (EEP) will be to develop relationships with employers to provide ESL and on-the-job learning opportunities for refugees. The new Services for Afghan Survivors Impacted by Combat (SASIC) is a one-time program with a single budget period of 36 months. The goals of the Program are to help newly arrived Afghans eligible under the Afghanistan Supplemental Appropriations Act (ASA) overcome severe, pervasive, and long-lasting combat-related trauma and to facilitate their achievement of sustained physical, social, emotional, and economic well-being. ORRs new Support for Trauma-Affected Refugees (STAR) Program will be launched in early 2024. The goals of the STAR Program are the integration and successful achievement of sustained physical, social, emotional, and economic well-being of underserved refugees whose experience of trauma is impeding their ability to function effectively at home, school, work or in social settings.

General information about this opportunity
Last Known Status
Active
Program Number
93.576
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 projected that there will be 256 discretionary and 38 refugee health grants awarded in FY 2016. 297 discretionary and 37 refugee health promotion grants were awarded in FY 2016.
Fiscal Year 2017 There were 190 discretionary and 41 refugee health promotion grants awarded in FY 2017.
Fiscal Year 2018 In FY 2018 there were 112 discretionary and 41 Refugee Health Promotion grants awarded.
Fiscal Year 2020 There were 113 discretionary a grants awarded in FY 2020.
Fiscal Year 2021 There were 113 discretionary grants awarded in FY 2021.
Fiscal Year 2023 It is projected that there will be 113 discretionary awards awarded in FY 2023
Fiscal Year 2024 It is projected that there will be 113 discretionary awards awarded in FY 2024
Authorization
Refugee Education Assistance Act of 1980, Public Law 96-422, Statute 94,1809
Refugee Act of 1980, Title VIII, Section 412, Public Law 96-212, Chapter 12, 8 U.S.C. 1522, Statute 94,111
Afghanistan Supplemental Appropriations Act (ASA), 2022, Public Law 117-43, title III, as amended by Public Law 117-70.
Additional Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2022, Public Law 117-128, Public Law 117-128
Afghanistan Supplemental Appropriations Act (ASA), 2022, Public Law 117-43, title III, as amended by Public Law 117-70
Who is eligible to apply/benefit from this assistance?
Applicant Eligibility
For Refugee IDA, RAPP, RTAP, RFCCMED, RCP, MED, PC, EEP, SASIC, STAR: Public and private nonprofit agencies may apply for these awards. Applications from individuals (including sole proprietorships) and foreign entities are not eligible. Faith-based and community organizations that meet the eligibility requirements are eligible.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Refugees, certain Amerasians, Cuban and Haitian entrants, asylees, certified victims of a severe form of trafficking, Special Immigrants from Iraq and Afghanistan, and Afghan and Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolees as outlined in ORR PL 22-10 and ORR PL 22-13 are the beneficiaries. Detailed information on eligibility of ORR-funded projects is available at 45 ? CFR 400.43 and ORR Policy Letter 16-01, which can be found on the ORR website at: www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/orr/resource/policy-letter-16-01.
Credentials/Documentation
Proof of non-profit status is required for applicants. Assistance is authorized for refugees, certain Amerasians from Vietnam, asylees, Cuban and Haitian entrants, asylees, victims of a severe form of human trafficking, Iraqi and Afghan Special Immigrants and Afghan and Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolees as outlined in ORR PL 22-10 and ORR PL 22-13, with documentation on their immigration status.
What is the process for applying and being award this assistance?
Pre-Application Procedure
Preapplication coordination is not applicable.
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
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 will complete a review of risk posed by applicants as described in 45 CFR 75.205. 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
Contact the headquarters or regional location, as appropriate for application deadlines
Approval/Disapproval Decision Time
From 90 to 120 days.
Appeals
Not applicable.
Renewals
Non-competing continuations will be issued based on availability of funds, satisfactory progress, compliance with 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(s).
How may assistance be used?
Income Security/Social Service/Welfare Funds are used for the administration of programs and to provide services as outlined in each Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). Funds may be used only for purposes set forth in the NOFO and in the notice of award. Services provided must not supplant services that may be available through existing federal, state, or local programs.
What are the requirements after being awarded this opportunity?
Reporting
Performance Reports: Performance monitoring activities include on-site and desk monitoring of projects. On site, the ORR team interviews agency staff and clients and reviews case files and financial documents.
Auditing
45 CFR Part 75 Subpart F applies to this program.
Records
Recipients are required to keep all financial, business, and program records necessary for program review and audit in accordance with 45 CFR Part 75.361-365.
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
Funds made available under this program are for project periods ranging from 1 to 5 years. Funds are awarded annually during the project. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: Post award, the Division of Payment Management will establish an account from which a recipient may draw down award funds. 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
Anastasia Brown, Director, Division of Refugee Services (IDA, RAPP, RFCCMED, RCP, MED, ECSH, EEP)
Mary E. Switzer Building
330 C St SW, MS 5123
Washington, DC 20201 USA
anastasia.brown@acf.hhs.gov
Phone: 2024014559

Carl Rubenstein, Director, Division of Refugee Assistance (RTAP)
Mary E. Switzer Building
330 C Street SW, MS 5123
Washington, DC 20201 US
carl.rubenstein@acf.hhs.gov
Phone: 2022055933
Website Address
https://www.acf.hhs.gov/orr/programs
Financial Information
Account Identification
75-1503-0-1-609
Obligations
(Project Grants (Discretionary)) FY 22$52,666,650.00; FY 23 est $102,795,372.00; FY 24 est $88,491,493.00; FY 21$17,555,551.00; FY 20$16,607,101.00; FY 19$16,607,101.00; - Preferred Communities(Project Grants (Discretionary)) FY 22$172,500,000.00; FY 23 est $245,166,000.00; FY 24 est $0.00; FY 21$0.00; FY 20$8,000,000.00; - Preferred Communities - Afghan supplemental(Project Grants (Discretionary)) FY 22$1,998,592.00; FY 23 est $2,500,000.00; FY 24 est $2,500,000.00; FY 21$1,699,820.00; FY 20$1,699,813.00; - Refugee Agricultural Partnership Program(Project Grants (Discretionary)) FY 22$1,917,019.00; FY 23 est $13,000,000.00; FY 24 est $1,917,019.00; FY 21$3,807,024.00; FY 20$3,807,024.00; - Ethnic Self-Help(Project Grants (Discretionary)) FY 22$6,988,326.00; FY 23 est $7,500,000.00; FY 24 est $0.00; FY 21$4,478,778.00; FY 20$4,478,705.00; - Microenterprise(Project Grants (Discretionary)) FY 22$1,485,622.00; FY 23 est $1,485,622.00; FY 24 est $1,485,622.00; FY 21$1,485,672.00; FY 20$1,470,983.00; - Family Childcare Microenterprise(Project Grants (Discretionary)) FY 22$4,240,014.00; FY 23 est $4,240,014.00; FY 24 est $4,240,014.00; FY 21$4,240,014.00; FY 20$4,121,896.00; - Career Pathways(Project Grants (Discretionary)) FY 22$4,377,322.00; FY 23 est $7,500,000.00; FY 24 est $4,500,000.00; FY 21$4,377,322.00; FY 20$4,280,806.00; - Individual Development Accounts(Project Grants (Discretionary)) FY 22$2,000,000.00; FY 23 est $7,500,000.00; FY 24 est $7,500,000.00; FY 21$1,194,063.00; FY 20$1,194,063.00; - Technical Assistance(Project Grants (Discretionary)) FY 22$0.00; FY 23 est $8,000,000.00; FY 24 est $8,000,000.00; FY 21$0.00; FY 20$0.00; - Employer Engagement Program(Project Grants (Discretionary)) FY 22$102,534,000.00; FY 23 est $126,125,000.00; FY 24 est $0.00; FY 21$0.00; - Preferred Communities - Ukraine Supplemental(Project Grants (Discretionary)) FY 22$19,942,495.00; FY 23 est $0.00; FY 24 est $0.00; FY 21$0.00; - Career Pathways- ASA Supplemental(Project Grants (Discretionary)) FY 22$4,000,000.00; FY 23 est $4,000,000.00; FY 24 est $0.00; FY 21$0.00; - Technical Assistance -ASA Supplemental(Project Grants (Discretionary)) FY 22$0.00; FY 23 est $21,000,000.00; FY 24 est $0.00; FY 21$0.00; - Ethnic Self-Help-Ukraine Supplemental(Project Grants (Discretionary)) FY 22$3,923,542.00; FY 23 est $0.00; FY 24 est $0.00; FY 21$0.00; - Family Childcare Microenterprise (ASA)(Project Grants (Discretionary)) FY 22$7,200,000.00; FY 23 est $0.00; FY 24 est $0.00; FY 21$0.00; - Employer Engagement Program (ASA)(Project Grants) FY 22$0.00; FY 23 est $61,154,938.00; FY 24 est $0.00; - Services to Afghan Survivors Impacted by Combat(Project Grants) FY 22$7,500,000.00; FY 23 est $0.00; FY 24 est $0.00; - Individual Development Accounts - ASA Supplemental(Project Grants) FY 22$12,312,700.00; FY 23 est $0.00; FY 24 est $0.00; - Ethnic Self-Help- ASA Supplemental(Project Grants) FY 22$0.00; FY 23 est $14,000,000.00; FY 24 est $14,000,000.00; - Support for Trauma Affected Refugees
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
FY 22 awards ranged from $80,000-$4,500,000. In FY 23, PC awards will range from $2,555,173-$4,500,000; RAPP awards will range from $80,000-$100,000; ECSH awards serving Ukrainians will range from $300,000 to $600,000 and from $150,000-$200,000 for the regular program; MED awards will range from $150,000-$250,000; RFCCMED awards will range from $174,310-$187,500; RCP awards will range from $245,000-$250,000; IDA awards will range from $150,000-$250,000; EEP awards will range from $600,000-$900,000; SASIC awards will range from $1,500,000-$3,000,000; and STAR awards will range from $400,000-$600,000, 000. RTAP is issued to one recipient. In FY 23 ORR will issue supplements in the PC program to expand services for Afghan and Ukrainian parolees.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
NOFOs are posted on the ACF website and can also be accessed through Grants.gov. Inquiries may be directed to the Information Contact listed below.
Examples of Funded Projects
Not applicable.