FON: HHS-2006-ACF-ORR-RQ-0106

Title: Notice of Availability of FY2006 Discretionary Funds to States
For Service Programs for Cuban/Haitian Refugees and Entrants

Program Office: ORR

Drafter: Ramon Colon

Publish Means: ACF Website

This is the final ready for publication. Please do not make any changes
to the document.

Please submit one signed copy of the PA to me.

Gray shaded text denotes standardized language that is required content
in every announcement.

[Gray shaded underlined text denotes optional standard language where
users can opt to include certain text when appropriate.]{.underline}

## Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families 

  -------------------------- --------------------------------------------
  **Program Office:**        Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), ACF,
                             HHS

  **Funding Opportunity      Notice of Availability of FY2006
  Title:**                   Discretionary Funds to States For Service
                             Programs for Cuban/Haitian Refugees and
                             Entrants

  **Announcement Type:**     Initial -- Grant

  **Funding Opportunity      HHS-2006-ACF-ORR-RQ-0106
  Number:**                  

  **CFDA Number:**           93.576

  **Due Date for             **April 21, 2006**
  Applications:**            
  -------------------------- --------------------------------------------

**Executive Summary:**

The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) invites eligible applicants to
submit competitive grant applications for services in the program areas
of employment, hospitals and other health and mental health care
programs, adult and vocational education, refugee crime or victimization
and citizenship/naturalization for those localities most heavily
affected by Cuban and Haitian entrants and refugees, particularly where
their arrival numbers in recent years have increased. These grants will
be awarded on a competitive basis pursuant to the ORR Director\'s
discretionary authority under section 412(c)(1)(A) of the Immigration
and Nationality Act (INA), 8 U.S.C. 15522 (c)(1)(A), as amended, and
section 501 of the Refugee Education Assistance Act of 1980 Public Law
(P.L.)96-422. Applications will be screened and evaluated as indicated
in this program announcement. Awards will be contingent on the outcome
of the competition and the availability of funds.

**I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION**

**Legislative Authority**

Legislative Authority: Section 412(c)(1)(A) of the Immigration and
Nationality Act (INA) authorizes the ORR Director \"to make grants to,
and enter into contracts with, public or private non-profit agencies for
projects specifically designed \-- (i) to assist refugees in obtaining
skills which are necessary for economic self-sufficiency, including
projects for job training, employment services, day care, professional
refresher training, and other recertification services; (ii) to provide
training in English where necessary (regardless of whether the refugees
are employed or receiving cash or other assistance); and (iii) to
provide where specific needs have been shown and recognized by the
Director, health (including mental health) services, social services,
educational and other services.\" See also section 501 of the Refugee
Education Assistance Act of 1980, P.L. 96-422 (8 U.S.C. 1522 note).

**Purpose Objectives**

ORR invites applicants to submit competing grant applications for
programs that will provide assistance to and serve localities most
heavily affected by Cuban and Haitian entrants and refugees,
particularly where their arrivals numbers in recent years have
increased.  Within the funds provided, \$19,000,000 is available for
support to communities with large concentrations of Cuban/Haitian
entrants of varying ages whose cultural differences make assimilation
especially difficult, justifying a more intense level and longer
duration of Federal assistance.  Priority for Cuban/Haitian funding
shall be directed towards individuals most in need of additional
support, including the newly arrived, individuals without family or
voluntary agency support or the long-term unemployed and unassimilated
who are unable to access adequate services through mainstream
assistance.  Discretionary grant funds may be sought for any or all of
the following five program categories: (l) employment services; (2)
hospitals and other health and mental health care areas:; (3) adult and
vocational education services; (4) refugee crime or victimization
programs; and (5) citizenship and naturalization preparation services.

The objective of the program is to provide assistance and services in
one or more of the above listed program categories to localities
affected by the Cuban and Haitian entrants and refugees whose arrivals
in recent years have increased.

Listed below are some examples of allowable services for each of the
above listed program areas.  An applicant may propose services in any
combination of the areas listed below.

**Employment**

Assessment and pre-employment counseling; job development, placement,
upgrading and follow-up; services aimed at placing two or more family
members in jobs in order to achieve self-sufficiency; and supportive
services, such as transportation and transitional child care to help
refugees maintain employment or participate in employment services.

**Hospitals and Health and Mental Health Care Programs**

Services for Cuban and Haitian refugees and entrants who are not covered
by existing local, State or Federal programs. Examples include mental
health services and/or substance abuse treatment provided through
Community Mental Health Centers for refugees whose costs are not
included under existing publicly funded programs; services provided in
public hospitals for Cuban and Haitian refugees and entrants not covered
by Refugee Medical Assistance, Medicaid, or a State medical assistance
program available to all indigent residents of the States; and costs to
medical care providers that are incurred for Cuban or Haitian refugees
and entrants but not for other indigent patients, such as interpreter
services where the provider is required by law to provide an interpreter
at the provider's expense.

**Adult and Vocational Education**

Adult education and vocational education programs, including vocational
English language training, literacy training, short-term skills
training, and career counseling, recertification, Graduate Equivalency
Degree programs provided to Cuban and Haitian refugees who cannot be
served through the regular high school programs, the use of language
labs and other technologies in the enhancement of English language
instruction for Cuban and Haitian refugees.

**Refugee Crime or Victimization**

Community outreach, neighborhood storefronts, neighborhood watch
programs designed to improve communication and cooperation between the
Cuban or Haitian refugee community and law enforcement agencies and
domestic violence prevention or response services that are culturally
and linguistically appropriate.

ORR cannot consider for funding law enforcement, such as the hiring of
sworn police officers (except those who are public service officers or
community liaison officers), fingerprinting, incarceration, or parole
counseling.

**Citizenship and Naturalization Preparation Services**

Services are designed to assist Cuban and Haitian refugees with their
applications to adjust to United States permanent residency and
citizenship.  Services may also be offered to assist disabled
Cuban/Haitian refugees and entrants in obtaining disability waivers from
English and civics requirements during the naturalization process and in
acquiring employment. Federal funds awarded under this program cannot be
used to reimburse clients for any fees paid to U.S. Citizenship and
Immigration Services (USCIS).

**II. AWARD INFORMATION**

> **Funding Instrument Type:** Grant
>
> **Anticipated Total Priority Area Funding:** \$19,000,000
>
> **Anticipated Number of Awards:** 1 to 10
>
> **Ceiling on Amount of Individual Awards:** \$15,000,000 per project
> period
>
> **Floor on Amount of Individual Awards:** \$100,000 per project period
>
> **Average Projected Award Amount:** \$100,000 per project period
>
> **Length of Project Periods:** 36-month project with three 12-month
> budget periods

**Awards under this announcement are subject to the availability of
funds.**

**III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION**

**1. Eligible Applicants:**

Eligible applicants for these funds are (a) those agencies of State
governments that are responsible for the refugee program under 45 Code
of Federal Regulations (CFR) 400.5(b) an agency that has statewide
responsibility for an alternative to the State-administered program in
lieu of the State under a Wilson/Fish grant; and (c) a replacement
designee authorized by the Director of the Office of Refugee
Resettlement to administer the provision of assistance and services, as
appropriate, to refugees in that State pursuant to 45 CFR 400.301. 
Applicants are limited to these agencies as they are responsible for
determining the statewide impact of Cuban and Haitian refugees and
entrants on communities and ensuring coordination and avoiding
duplication and overlap in the provision of services to this population.
Applicants are also limited to those States with an approved State Plan
that includes the Cuban/Haitian Entrant Program (CHEP).

Eligible applicants may apply under this announcement based on ORR
arrival data for Cuban and Haitian refugees and entrants during the
period Fiscal Year (FY) 2000 through FY 2004, (table of this data is
attached at Appendix A). Based on the arrival data on the attached table
at Appendix A, a minimum State threshold of 400 Cuban and Haitian
refugees and entrants has been established as a baseline. The purpose of
the threshold is to target assistance to those areas most heavily
affected by these arrivals. Awards, however, will not be based solely on
population numbers, but will be based on the proposed program and
justification and documentation of the applicant, including such factors
as service needs of the population to be served and resources available
to the applicant.

If a State can demonstrate that its Cuban and Haitian population,
including secondary migrants, meets the minimum threshold of 400 for the
same period and is not listed on the attached table at Appendix A, the
State agency responsible for the refugee programs under 45 CFR 400.5 may
submit an application for funds under this announcement. The application
must provide documentation that includes the name, alien number, date of
birth, and date of arrival in the U.S. for each Cuban and Haitian
refugee/entrant claimed for the period indicated on the attached table
at Appendix A (i.e., FY 2000 through 2004).

**2. Cost Sharing or Matching:** None

**3. Other:**

Eligibility for this discretionary refugee social service grant program
includes individuals admitted from Cuba or Haiti who meet all
requirements of 45 CFR 400.43 and 45 CFR 401.2.

**For convenience, the term \"refugee\" is used in this notice to
encompass all such eligible persons.**

**D-U-N-S Requirement**

All applicants must have a D&B Data Universal Numbering System (D-U-N-S)
number.  On June 27, 2003, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
published in the *Federal Register* a new Federal policy applicable to
all Federal grant applicants.  The policy requires Federal grant
applicants to provide a D-U-N-S number when applying for Federal grants
or cooperative agreements on or after October 1, 2003.  The D-U-N-S
number will be required whether an applicant is submitting a paper
application or using the government-wide electronic portal,
[Grants.gov](http://www.Grants.gov/).   A D-U-N-S number will be
required for every application for a new award or renewal/continuation
of an award, including applications or plans under formula, entitlement,
and block grant programs, submitted on or after October 1, 2003.

Please ensure that your organization has a D-U-N-S number.  You may
acquire a D-U-N-S number at no cost by calling the dedicated toll-free
D-U-N-S number request line at 1-866-705-5711 or you may request a
number on-line at [http://www.dnb.com](http://www.dnb.com/).

**Disqualification Factors**

Applications that exceed the ceiling amount will be deemed
non-responsive and will not be considered for funding under this
announcement.

Any application that fails to satisfy the deadline requirements
referenced in *Section IV.3* will be deemed non-responsive and will not
be considered for funding under this announcement.

**IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION**

**1. Address to Request Application Package:**

Lorraine Berry\
Division of Refugee Assistance\
Office of Refugee Resettlement\
Administration for Children and Families (ACF)\
370 L\'Enfant Promenade, SW\
Aerospace Building, 6^th^ Floor-East\
Washington, DC 20447\
Phone:  202-401-5532\
Fax: 202-401-5772\
Email: [lberry@acf.hhs.gov](mailto:bmcpherrin@acf.hhs.gov)

**2. Content and Form of Application Submission:**

In order to be considered for a grant under this program announcement,
an application must be submitted on the Standard Form (SF) 424 and in
the manner prescribed by the Administration for Children and Families
(ACF). Application materials including forms and instructions are
available from the contacts named under the \"FOR FURTHER INFORMATION,
CONTACT\" section in the preamble of this announcement.

**Forms and Certifications**

The project description should include all the information requirements
described in the specific evaluation criteria outlined in this program
announcement under *Section V.* Application Review Information.  In
addition to the project description, the applicant needs to complete all
of the Standard Forms required as a part of the application process for
awards under this announcement.

Applicants seeking financial assistance under this announcement must
file the appropriate Standard Forms as described in this section.  All
applicants must submit SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance.  For
non-construction programs, applicants must also submit SF-424A, Budget
Information and SF-424B, Assurances.  For construction programs,
applicants must also submit SF-424C, Budget Information and SF-424D,
Assurances.   The forms may be reproduced for use in submitting
applications. Applicants must sign and return the standard forms with
their application.

Applicants must furnish prior to award an executed copy of the SF-LLL,
Certification Regarding Lobbying, when applying for an award in excess
of \$100,000.  Applicants who have used non-Federal funds for lobbying
activities in connection with receiving assistance under this
announcement shall complete a disclosure form, if applicable, with their
application.  Applicants must sign and return the certification with
their application.

Applicants must also understand that they will be held accountable for
the smoking prohibition included within Public Law (P.L.) 103-227, Title
XII Environmental Tobacco Smoke (also known as the PRO-KIDS Act of
1994).  A copy of the *Federal Register* notice that implements the
smoking prohibition is included with this form.  By signing and
submitting the application, applicants are providing the necessary
certification and are not required to return it.

Applicants must make the appropriate certification of their compliance
with all Federal statutes relating to nondiscrimination.  By signing and
submitting the application, applicants are providing the necessary
certification and are not required to return it.  Complete the standard
forms and the associated certifications and assurances based on the
instructions on the forms.  The forms and certifications may be found
at: <http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm>.

Please see *Section V.1* for instructions on preparing the full project
description.

Please reference *Section IV.3* for details about acknowledgement of
received applications.

**Electronic Submission**

You may submit your application to us in either electronic or paper
format.

To submit an application electronically, please use the
[http://www.Grants.gov](http://www.Grants.gov/) site.

If you use Grants.gov, you will be able to download a copy of the
application package, complete it off-line, and then upload and submit
the application via the Grants.gov site.  ACF will not accept grant
applications via email or facsimile transmission.

IMPORTANT NOTE:  To submit an electronic application, you must complete
the organization registration process as well as obtain and register
\"electronic signature credentials\" for the Authorized Organization
Representative (AOR).   It is important to start this process early,
well in advance of the application deadline, since this may take more
than five business days.

Please note the following if you plan to submit your application
electronically via Grants.gov:

-   Electronic submission is voluntary, but strongly encouraged.

-   You may access the electronic application for this program on
    [http://www.Grants.gov.](http://www.Grants.gov/)

-   When you enter the Grants.gov site, you will find information about
    submitting an application electronically through the site, as well
    as the hours of operation.  We strongly recommend that you do not
    wait until the application deadline date to begin the application
    process through Grants.gov.  We encourage applicants who submit
    electronically to submit well before the closing date and time so
    that if difficulties are encountered an applicant can still send in
    a hard copy overnight.

-   To use Grants.gov, you, as the applicant, must have a D-U-N-S number
    and register in the Central Contractor Registry (CCR).  You should
    allow a minimum of five days to complete the CCR
    registration.  REMINDER:   CCR registration must be updated
    annually.

-   The electronic application is submitted by the AOR.  To submit
    electronically, the AOR must obtain and register electronic
    signature credentials approved by the organization\'s E-Business
    Point of Contact who maintains the organization\'s CCR
    registration.  Checklists are maintained on
    [http://www.grants.gov/GetStarted](http://www.Grants.gov/GetStarted).

-   You may submit all documents electronically, including all
    information typically included on the SF-424 and all necessary
    assurances and certifications.

-   Your application must comply with any page limitation requirements
    described in this program announcement.

-   After you electronically submit your application, you will receive
    an automatic acknowledgement from Grants.gov that contains a
    Grants.gov tracking number.  ACF will retrieve your application from
    Grants.gov.

-   ACF may request that you provide original signatures on forms at a
    later date.

-   You may access the electronic application for this program on
    [http://www.Grants.gov](http://www.Grants.gov/).  You may search for
    the downloadable application package by the Catalog of Federal
    Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number.

-   You will not receive additional point value because you submit a
    grant application in electronic format, nor will we penalize you if
    you submit an application in hard copy.

**Hard Copy Submission**

Applicants that are submitting their application in paper format should
submit one original and two copies of the complete application.  The
original and each of the two copies must include all required forms,
certifications, assurances, and appendices, be signed by an authorized
representative, have original signatures, and be unbound.

[**Non-Federal Reviewers**]{.underline}

[Since ACF will be using non-Federal reviewers in the review process,
applicants have the option of omitting from the application copies (not
the original) specific salary rates or amounts for individuals specified
in the application budget as well as Social Security Numbers, if
otherwise required for individuals.  The copies may include summary
salary information.]{.underline}

[If applicants are submitting their application electronically, ACF will
omit the same specific salary rate information from copies made for use
during the review and selection process.]{.underline}

**3. Submission Dates and Times:**

**Due Date for Applications:** **April 21, 2006**

**Explanation of Due Dates**

[The closing date for submission of applications is referenced above.  
Mailed applications postmarked after the closing date will be classified
as late.]{.underline}

[Deadline: Mailed applications shall be considered as meeting an
announced deadline if they are either received on or before the deadline
date or sent on or before the deadline date and received by ACF in time
for the independent review referenced in *Section IV.6.*]{.underline}

[Applicants must ensure that a legibly dated U.S. Postal Service
postmark or a legibly dated, machine produced postmark of a commercial
mail service is affixed to the envelope/package containing the
application(s).  To be acceptable as a proof of timely mailing, a
postmark from a commercial mail service must include the logo/emblem of
the commercial mail service company and must reflect the date the
package was received by the commercial mail service company from the
applicant.  rivate Metered postmarks shall not be acceptable as proof of
timely mailing.  (Applicants are cautioned that express/overnight mail
services do not always deliver as agreed.)]{.underline}

[Applications hand carried by applicants, applicant couriers, or by
other representatives of the applicant shall be considered as meeting an
announced deadline if they are received on or before the deadline date,
between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., e.t., at the address
referenced in *Section IV.6.*, between Monday and Friday (excluding
Federal holidays).  Applicants are cautioned that express/overnight mail
services do not always deliver as agreed.]{.underline}

[ACF cannot accommodate transmission of applications by fax.  Therefore,
applications transmitted to ACF by fax will not be accepted regardless
of date or time of submission and time of receipt.]{.underline}

[Late applications: Applications which do not meet the criteria above
are considered late applications.  ACF shall notify each late applicant
that its application will not be considered in the current
competition.]{.underline}

[Extension of deadlines: ACF may extend application deadlines when
circumstances such as acts of God (floods, hurricanes, etc.) occur, or
when there are widespread disruptions of mail service, or in other rare
cases.  Determination to extend or waive deadline requirements rest with
the Chief Grants Management Officer.]{.underline}

Receipt acknowledgement for application packages [will
not]{.underline} be provided to applicants who submit their package via
mail, courier services, or by hand delivery.   Applicants will receive
an electronic acknowledgement for applications that are submitted via
[http://www.Grants.gov](http://www.Grants.gov/).

**Checklist**

[You may use the checklist below as a guide when preparing your
application package.]{.underline}

  ------------------------- ------------ ------------------------------------------------- -------------
  **What to Submit**        **Required   **Required Form or Format**                       **When to
                            Content**                                                      Submit**

  Project Abstract          See Sections Found in Sections IV.2 and V                      By
                            IV.2 and V                                                     application
                                                                                           due date.

  Project Description       See Sections Found in Sections IV.2 and V                      By
                            IV.2 and V                                                     application
                                                                                           due date.

  Budget                    See Sections Found in Sections IV.2 and V                      By
  Narrative/Justification   IV.2 and V                                                     application
                                                                                           due date.

  SF-424                    See Section  See                                               By
                            IV.2         <http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm>   application
                                                                                           due date.

  SF-LLL Certification      See Section  See                                               By date of
  Regarding Lobbying        IV.2         <http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm>   award.

  Certification Regarding   See Section  See                                               By date of
  Environmental Tobacco     IV.2         <http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm>   award.
  Smoke                                                                                    

  Assurances                See Section  Found in Section IV.2                             By date of
                            IV.2                                                           award.

  Table of Contents         See Section  Found in Section IV.2                             By
                            IV.2                                                           application
                                                                                           due date.

  SF-424A                   See Section  See                                               By
                            IV.2         <http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm>   application
                                                                                           due date.

  SF-424B                   See Section  See                                               By
                            IV.2         <http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm>   application
                                                                                           due date.
  ------------------------- ------------ ------------------------------------------------- -------------

**4. Intergovernmental Review:**

**State Single Point of Contact (SPOC)**

[This program is covered under Executive Order (EO) 12372,
\"Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs,\" and 45 CFR Part 100,
\"Intergovernmental Review of Department of Health and Human Services
Programs and Activities.\"   Under the Order, States may design their
own processes for reviewing and commenting on proposed Federal
assistance under covered programs.]{.underline}

[As of August 1, 2005, the following jurisdictions have elected to
participate in the EO process: Arkansas, California, Delaware, District
of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine,
Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New
York, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, West
Virginia, Wisconsin, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands,
Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands.  As these jurisdictions have
elected to participate in the Executive Order process, they have
established SPOCs.   Applicants from participating jurisdictions should
contact their SPOC, as soon as possible, to alert them of prospective
applications and receive instructions.  Applicants must submit all
required materials, if any, to the SPOC and indicate the date of this
submittal (or the date of contact if no submittal is required) on the
Standard Form 424, item 16a.]{.underline}

[Under 45 CFR 100.8(a)(2), a SPOC has 60 days from the application
deadline to comment on proposed new or competing continuation
awards.  SPOCs are encouraged to eliminate the submission of routine
endorsements as official recommendations.  Additionally, SPOCs are
requested to clearly differentiate between mere advisory comments and
those official State process recommendations, which may trigger the
\"accommodate or explain\" rule.]{.underline}

[When comments are submitted directly to ACF, they should be addressed
to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for
Children and Families, Office of Grants Management, Division of
Discretionary Grants, 370 L\'Enfant Promenade SW., 4th floor,
Washington, DC 20447.]{.underline}

[Although the remaining jurisdictions have chosen not to participate in
the process, entities that meet the eligibility requirements of the
program are still eligible to apply for a grant even if a State,
Territory, Commonwealth, etc. does not have a SPOC.  Therefore,
applicants from these jurisdictions, or for projects administered by
Federally recognized Indian Tribes, need take no action in regard to EO
12372.]{.underline}

[The official list, including addresses, of the jurisdictions that have
elected to participate in EO 12372 can be found on the following
URL:]{.underline}
<http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html>[.]{.underline}

**5. Funding Restrictions:**

[Grant awards will not allow reimbursement of pre-award
costs.]{.underline}

**6. Other Submission Requirements:**

Please see *Sections IV.2* and *IV.3* for deadline information and other
application requirements.

Submit applications to one of the following addresses:

**Submission by Mail**

Sylvia Johnson, ACF Grants Officer\
Department of Health and Human Services\
Administration for Children and Families\
Office of Grants Management\
901 D Street, SW\
Washington, DC 20024

**Hand Delivery**

Sylvia Johnson, ACF Grants Officer\
Department of Health and Human Services\
Administration for Children and Families\
Office of Grants Management\
901 D Street, SW\
Washington, DC 20024

**Electronic Submission**

Please see *Section IV.2* for guidelines and requirements when
submitting applications electronically via
[http://www.Grants.gov](http://www.Grants.gov/).

**V. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION**

**The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (P.L. 104-13)**

Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated
to average 40 hours per response, including the time for reviewing
instructions, gathering and maintaining the data needed and reviewing
the collection information.

The project description is approved under OMB control number 0970-0139
which expires 4/30/2007.

An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to
respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently
valid OMB control number.

**1. Criteria:**

Part I   THE PROJECT DESCRIPTION OVERVIEW

PURPOSE

The project description provides the majority of information by which an
application is evaluated and ranked in competition with other
applications for available assistance. The project description should be
concise and complete.   It should address the activity for which Federal
funds are being requested.  Supporting documents should be included
where they can present information clearly and succinctly.  In preparing
the project description, information that is responsive to each of the
requested evaluation criteria must be provided.  Awarding offices use
this and other information in making their funding recommendations.  It
is important, therefore, that this information be included in the
application in a manner that is clear and complete.

GENERAL EXPECTATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS

ACF is particularly interested in specific project descriptions that
focus on outcomes and convey strategies for achieving intended
performance. Project descriptions are evaluated on the basis of
substance and measurable outcomes, not length. Extensive exhibits are
not required. Cross-referencing should be used rather than repetition.
Supporting information concerning activities that will not be directly
funded by the grant or information that does not directly pertain to an
integral part of the grant funded activity should be placed in an
appendix.

Pages should be numbered and a table of contents should be included for
easy reference.

Part II   GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR PREPARING A FULL PROJECT DESCRIPTION

INTRODUCTION

Applicants that are required to submit a full project description shall
prepare the project description statement in accordance with the
following instructions while being aware of the specified evaluation
criteria.  The text options give a broad overview of what the project
description should include while the evaluation criteria identify the
measures that will be used to evaluate applications.

[PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT]{.underline}

[Provide a summary of the project description (one page or less) with
reference to the funding request.]{.underline}

[OBJECTIVES AND NEED FOR ASSISTANCE]{.underline}

[Clearly identify the physical, economic, social, financial,
institutional, and/or other problem(s) requiring a solution. The need
for assistance must be demonstrated and the principal and subordinate
objectives of the project must be clearly stated; supporting
documentation, such as letters of support and testimonials from
concerned interests other than the applicant, may be included. Any
relevant data based on planning studies should be included or referred
to in the endnotes/footnotes. Incorporate demographic data and
participant/beneficiary information, as needed. In developing the
project description, the applicant may volunteer or be requested to
provide information on the total range of projects currently being
conducted and supported (or to be initiated), some of which may be
outside the scope of the program announcement.]{.underline}

[RESULTS OR BENEFITS EXPECTED]{.underline}

[Identify the results and benefits to be derived.]{.underline}

[For example, when applying for a grant to establish a neighborhood
child care center, describe who will occupy the facility, who will use
the facility, how the facility will be used, and how the facility will
benefit the community that it will serve. Another example would be
describing the impact of a proposed literacy program on the target
population.]{.underline}

[APPROACH]{.underline}

[Outline a plan of action that describes the scope and detail of how the
proposed work will be accomplished. Account for all functions or
activities identified in the application. Cite factors that might
accelerate or decelerate the work and state your reason for taking the
proposed approach rather than others. Describe any unusual features of
the project such as design or technological innovations, reductions in
cost or time, or extraordinary social and community
involvement.]{.underline}

[Provide quantitative monthly or quarterly projections of the
accomplishments to be achieved for each function or activity in such
terms as the number of people to be served and the number of activities
accomplished.]{.underline}

[When accomplishments cannot be quantified by activity or function, list
them in chronological order to show the schedule of accomplishments and
their target dates.]{.underline}

[If any data is to be collected, maintained, and/or disseminated,
clearance may be required from the OMB.  This clearance pertains to any
\"collection of information that is conducted or sponsored by
ACF.\"]{.underline}

[Provide a list of organizations, cooperating entities, consultants, or
other key individuals who will work on the project along with a short
description of the nature of their effort or contribution.]{.underline}

> [ORGANIZATIONAL PROFILES]{.underline}
>
> [Provide information on the applicant organization(s) and cooperating
> partners, such as: organizational charts; financial statements; audit
> reports or statements from Certified Public Accountants/Licensed
> Public Accountants; Employer Identification Number(s); contact persons
> and telephone numbers; names of bond carriers; child care licenses and
> other documentation of professional accreditation; information on
> compliance with Federal/State/local government standards;
> documentation of experience in the program area; and, other pertinent
> information.]{.underline}
>
> [If the applicant is a non-profit organization, it should submit proof
> of its non-profit status in its application.   The non-profit agency
> can accomplish this by providing any one of the following: a) a
> reference to the applicant organization\'s listing in the IRS\'s most
> recent list of tax-exempt organizations described in the IRS Code; b)
> a copy of a currently valid IRS tax exemption certificate; c) a
> statement from a State taxing body, State attorney general, or other
> appropriate State official certifying that the applicant organization
> has a non-profit status and that none of the net earnings accrues to
> any private shareholders or individuals; d) a certified copy of the
> organization\'s certificate of incorporation or similar document that
> clearly establishes non-profit status; e) any of the items immediately
> above for a State or national parent organization and a statement
> signed by the parent organization that the applicant organization is a
> local non-profit affiliate.]{.underline}

[BUDGET AND BUDGET JUSTIFICATION]{.underline}

[Provide a budget with line item detail and detailed calculations for
each budget object class identified on the Budget Information Form
(SF-424A or SF-424C).  Detailed calculations must include estimation
methods, quantities, unit costs, and other similar quantitative detail
sufficient for the calculation to be duplicated.  If matching is a
requirement, include a breakout by the funding sources identified in
Block 15 of the SF-424.]{.underline}

[Provide a narrative budget justification that describes how the
categorical costs are derived.  Discuss the necessity, reasonableness,
and allocation of the proposed costs.]{.underline}

> [GENERAL]{.underline}
>
> [Use the following guidelines for preparing the budget and budget
> justification.  Both Federal and non-Federal resources (when required)
> shall be detailed and justified in the budget and budget narrative
> justification.   \"Federal resources\" refers only to the ACF grant
> funds for which you are applying.  \"Non Federal resources\" are all
> other non-ACF Federal and non-Federal resources.  It is suggested that
> budget amounts and computations be presented in a columnar
> format:  first column, object class categories; second column, Federal
> budget; next column(s), non-Federal budget(s); and last column, total
> budget.  The budget justification should be in a narrative
> form.]{.underline}
>
> [PERSONNEL]{.underline}
>
> [Description:  Costs of employee salaries and wages.]{.underline}
>
> [Justification:  Identify the project director or principal
> investigator, if known at the time of application.   For each staff
> person, provide:  the title; time commitment to the project in months;
> time commitment to the project as a percentage or full-time
> equivalent; annual salary; grant salary; wage rates; etc.  Do not
> include the costs of consultants, personnel costs of delegate
> agencies, or of specific project(s) and/or businesses to be financed
> by the applicant.]{.underline}
>
> [FRINGE BENEFITS]{.underline}
>
> [Description: Costs of employee fringe benefits unless treated as part
> of an approved indirect cost rate.]{.underline}
>
> [Justification: Provide a breakdown of the amounts and percentages
> that comprise fringe benefit costs such as health insurance, FICA,
> retirement insurance, taxes, etc.]{.underline}
>
> [TRAVEL]{.underline}
>
> [Description: Costs of project-related travel by employees of the
> applicant organization.  (This item does not include costs of
> consultant travel).]{.underline}
>
> [Justification:  For each trip show:  the total number of traveler(s);
> travel destination; duration of trip; per diem; mileage allowances, if
> privately owned vehicles will be used; and other transportation costs
> and subsistence allowances.  Travel costs for key staff to attend
> ACF-sponsored workshops should be detailed in the budget.]{.underline}
>
> [EQUIPMENT]{.underline}
>
> [Description:  \"Equipment\" means an article of nonexpendable,
> tangible personal property having a useful life of more than one year
> and an acquisition cost that equals or exceeds the lesser of:  (a) the
> capitalization level established by the organization for the financial
> statement purposes, or (b) \$5,000.  (Note:   Acquisition cost means
> the net invoice unit price of an item of equipment, including the cost
> of any modifications, attachments, accessories, or auxiliary apparatus
> necessary to make it usable for the purpose for which it is acquired.
>   Ancillary charges, such as taxes, duty, protective in-transit
> insurance, freight, and installation, shall be included in or excluded
> from acquisition cost in accordance with the organization\'s regular
> written accounting practices.)]{.underline}
>
> [Justification:  For each type of equipment requested provide:  a
> description of the equipment; the cost per unit; the number of units;
> the total cost; and a plan for use on the project; as well as use
> and/or disposal of the equipment after the project ends.  An applicant
> organization that uses its own definition for equipment should provide
> a copy of its policy, or section of its policy, that includes the
> equipment definition.]{.underline}
>
> [SUPPLIES]{.underline}
>
> [Description:  Costs of all tangible personal property other than that
> included under the Equipment category.]{.underline}
>
> [Justification:  Specify general categories of supplies and their
> costs.  Show computations and provide other information that supports
> the amount requested.]{.underline}
>
> [OTHER]{.underline}
>
> [Enter the total of all other costs.  Such costs, where applicable and
> appropriate, may include but are not limited to:  insurance; food;
> medical and dental costs (noncontractual); professional services
> costs; space and equipment rentals; printing and publication; computer
> use; training costs, such as tuition and stipends; staff development
> costs; and administrative costs.]{.underline}
>
> [Justification:  Provide computations, a narrative description and a
> justification for each cost under this category.]{.underline}
>
> [INDIRECT CHARGES]{.underline}
>
> [Description:  Total amount of indirect costs.  This category should
> be used only when the applicant currently has an indirect cost rate
> approved by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) or
> another cognizant Federal agency.]{.underline}
>
> [Justification:  An applicant that will charge indirect costs to the
> grant must enclose a copy of the current rate agreement.  If the
> applicant organization is in the process of initially developing or
> renegotiating a rate, upon notification that an award will be made, it
> should immediately develop a tentative indirect cost rate proposal
> based on its most recently completed fiscal year, in accordance with
> the cognizant agency\'s guidelines for establishing indirect cost
> rates, and submit it to the cognizant agency.  Applicants awaiting
> approval of their indirect cost proposals may also request indirect
> costs.  When an indirect cost rate is requested, those costs included
> in the indirect cost pool should not be charged as direct costs to the
> grant.  Also, if the applicant is requesting a rate that is less than
> what is allowed under the program, the authorized representative of
> the applicant organization must submit a signed acknowledgement that
> the applicant is accepting a lower rate than allowed.]{.underline}
>
> [PROGRAM INCOME]{.underline}
>
> [Description:  The estimated amount of income, if any, expected to be
> generated from this project.]{.underline}
>
> [Justification:  Describe the nature, source and anticipated use of
> program income in the budget or refer to the pages in the application
> that contain this information.]{.underline}

[TOTAL DIRECT CHARGES, TOTAL INDIRECT CHARGES, TOTAL PROJECT
COSTS]{.underline}

**EVALUATION CRITERIA:**

The following evaluation criteria appear in weighted descending order.
The corresponding score values indicate the relative importance that ACF
places on each evaluation criterion; however, applicants need not
develop their applications precisely according to the order presented.
Application components may be organized such that a reviewer will be
able to follow a seamless and logical flow of information (i.e., from a
broad overview of the project to more detailed information about how it
will be conducted).

In considering how applicants will carry out the responsibilities
addressed under this announcement, competing applications for financial
assistance will be reviewed and evaluated against the following
criteria:

[APPROACH]{.underline} - 30 points

The applicant provides a clear explanation of a feasible, appropriate
and complete plan for providing services to the Cuban/Haitian refugee
and entrant participants.  The plan must specify how the allocation of
funds will be directed toward individuals most in need of additional
support, including the newly arrived, individuals without family or
voluntary agency support or the long-term unemployed and unassimilated
who are unable to access adequate services through mainstream
assistance.

[RESULTS OR BENEFITS EXPECTED]{.underline} - 25 points

The outcomes and benefits proposed are reasonable and reflect the
objectives of this announcement.  They should reflect tangible outcomes,
such as for employment services, the numbers of job placements, and
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families grant terminations, rather than
process outcomes (numbers of people to be served).

[OBJECTIVES AND NEED FOR ASSISTANCE]{.underline} - 20 points

The applicant identifies the Cuban/Haitian refugee and entrant
populations to be assisted by this project and describes the need for
assistance of this population.  The application must also indicate a
description of the extent to which proposed activities were developed
with input from the Cuban or Haitian refugee and entrant communities to
be targeted.

[BUDGET AND BUDGET JUSTIFICATION]{.underline} - 15 points

The budget is reasonable and clearly justified. The budget narrative
relates to proposed activities and expected outcomes. Applicant provides
line-item detail and detailed calculations for each budget object class
identified on the Budget Information form. Detailed calculations include
estimation methods, quantities, unit costs and other similar
quantitative detail sufficient for the calculation to be duplicated. The
detailed budget also includes a breakout by the funding sources
identified in Block 15 of the SF-424. Narrative budget justification
describes how the categorical costs are derived. Applicant discusses the
necessity, reasonableness, and allocability of the proposed costs.

[ORGANIZATIONAL PROFILES]{.underline} - 10 points

Applicant organization and staff and partner organizations have a
history of experience and demonstrated management capacity to implement
and manage programs to serve the Cuban/Haitian refugee and entrant
population.

**2. Review and Selection Process:**

No grant award will be made under this announcement on the basis of an
incomplete application.

**Initial ACF Screening**

Each application submitted under this program announcement will undergo
a pre-review to determine that (1) the application was received by the
closing date and submitted in accordance with the instructions in this
announcement; and (2) the application complies with stated funding
limits.

**Competitive Review and Evaluation Criteria**

An independent review panel will use specific evaluation criteria to
evaluate and rank applications that pass initial ACF screening. The
evaluation criteria were designed to assess the quality of a proposed
project and to determine the likelihood of its success. The evaluation
criteria are closely related and are considered as a whole in judging
the overall quality of an application. Points are awarded only to
applications that are responsive to the evaluation criteria within the
context of this program announcement. Proposed projects will be reviewed
using the following evaluation criteria:

**Approved but Unfunded Applications**

Applications that are approved but unfunded may be held over for funding
in the next funding cycle, pending the availability of funds, for a
period not to exceed one year.

**VI. AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION**

**1. Award Notices:**

The successful applicants will be notified through the issuance of a
Financial Assistance Award document which sets forth the amount of funds
granted, the terms and conditions of the grant, the effective date of
the grant, the budget period for which initial support will be given,
the non-Federal share to be provided (if applicable), and the total
project period for which support is contemplated. The Financial
Assistance Award will be signed by the Grants Officer and transmitted
via postal mail.

Organizations whose applications will not be funded will be notified in
writing.

**2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements:**

Grantees are subject to the requirements in 45 CFR Part 74
(non-governmental) or 45 CFR Part 92 (governmental).

Direct Federal grants, sub-award funds, or contracts under this ACF
program shall not be used to support inherently religious activities
such as religious instruction, worship, or proselytization. Therefore,
organizations must take steps to separate, in time or location, their
inherently religious activities from the services funded under this
program.  Regulations pertaining to the Equal Treatment for Faith-Based
Organizations, which includes the prohibition against Federal funding of
inherently religious activities, can be found at the HHS web site at
<http://www.os.dhhs.gov/fbci/waisgate21.pdf>.

Faith-based and community organizations may reference the \"Guidance to
Faith-Based and Community Organizations on Partnering with the Federal
Government\" at
[http://www.whitehouse.gov/government/fbci/guidance/index.html.](http://www.whitehouse.gov/government/fbci/guidance/index.html)

**3. Reporting Requirements:**

Grantees will be required to submit program progress and financial
reports (SF-269 found at
<http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm>) throughout the project
period. Program progress and financial reports are due 30 days after the
reporting period. Final programmatic and financial reports are due 90
days after the close of the project period.

[Program Progress Reports: Semi-Annually]{.underline}\
[Financial Reports: Semi-Annually]{.underline}\
\

**VII. AGENCY CONTACTS**

**Program Office Contact:**

Bill McPherrin\
Division of Refugee Assistance\
Office of Refugee Resettlement\
Administration for Children and Families\
370 L\'Enfant Promenade, SW\
Aerospace Building, 6th Floor- East\
Washington, DC 20447\
Phone:  202-401-9324\
Fax: 202-401-5772\
Email: <bmcpherrin@acf.hhs.gov>

Lorraine Berry\
Division of Refugee Assistance\
Office of Refugee Resettlement\
Administration for Children and Families\
370 L\'Enfant Promenade, SW\
Aerospace Building, 6th Floor- East\
Washington, DC 20447\
Phone:  202-401-5532\
Fax: 202-401-5772\
Email: [lberry@acf.hhs.gov](mailto:bmcpherrin@acf.hhs.gov)

**Grants Management Office Contact:**

Sylvia Johnson, ACF Grants Officer\
Department of Health and Human Services\
Administration for Children and Families\
Office of Grants Management\
901 D Street, SW\
Washington, DC 20027\
Phone:  202-401-4527

**VIII. OTHER INFORMATION**

**\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_**

**Date** Kenneth Tota

> Acting Director
>
> Office of Refugee Resettlement

Appendix A

  -------------------------------- ------------ ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
  ***Cuban/Haitian                                                                              
  Entrant/Parolee/Refugee/Asylee                                                                
  Arrivals by State ***                                                                         

  ***Attachment to ORR FY 2006                                                                  
  Cuban/Haitian Discretionary                                                                   
  Announcement***                                                                               

                                                                                                

  **STATE_NAME**                   **Total**    **FY 2000** **FY 2001** **FY 2002** **FY 2003** **FY 2004**

  FLORIDA                          91057        21612       19545       18197       11030       20673

  TEXAS                            2773         582         477         551         292         871

  NEW YORK                         2568         485         500         549         305         729

  KENTUCKY                         2247         414         377         445         256         755

  NEW JERSEY                       1833         524         411         353         154         391

  NEVADA                           1537         361         264         222         216         474

  MICHIGAN                         1494         410         325         243         109         407

  ARIZONA                          1258         303         236         247         89          383

  PENNSYLVANIA                     969          167         154         207         95          346

  OREGON                           757          202         120         130         79          226

  NEW MEXICO                       680          177         128         135         77          163

  VIRGINIA                         627          43          52          154         57          321

  MASSACHUSETTS                    482          90          125         110         64          93

  CALIFORNIA                       428          144         93          63          35          93

  LOUISIANA                        409          110         80          57          40          122

  ILLINOIS                         381          80          97          83          25          96

  GEORGIA                          354          87          64          90          21          92

  NORTH CAROLINA                   264          73          63          54          19          55

  MISSOURI                         263          50          67          65          10          71

  TENNESSEE                        240          43          47          65          20          65

  PUERTO RICO                      233          81          51          43          28          30

  VIRGIN ISLANDS                   189          6           0           1           80          102

  UTAH                             151          4           57          41          9           40

  CONNECTICUT                      148          29          24          36          24          35

  MARYLAND                         111          22          18          25          18          28

  ALABAMA                          98           25          22          16          16          19

  COLORADO                         98           27          37          19          10          5

  WASHINGTON                       79           17          11          22          4           25

  NEBRASKA                         69           24          20          4           2           19

  INDIANA                          51           14          5           11          0           21

  DELAWARE                         37           5           10          1           15          6

  SOUTH CAROLINA                   32           14          2           5           6           5

  IDAHO                            30           7           13          8           0           2

  OHIO                             27           8           4           1           4           10

  MISSISSIPPI                      23           4           3           8           0           8

  RHODE ISLAND                     22           3           3           8           3           5

  KANSAS                           21           5           3           11          1           1

  NORTH DAKOTA                     19           10          9           0           0           0

  MINNESOTA                        18           5           9           2           1           1

  WISCONSIN                        15           0           8           3           0           4

  ARKANSAS                         11           9           0           0           1           1

  SOUTH DAKOTA                     10           2            0           0           0          8

  DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA             9            2           5           0           1           1

  OKLAHOMA                         8            2           1           4           1           0

  MAINE                            7            1           5           0           1           0

  IOWA                             6            0           0           0           0           6

  NEW HAMPSHIRE                    6            1           0           3           2           0

  MONTANA                          4            2           2            0          0           0

  ALASKA                           1            0           0           0           1           0

  HAWAII                           1            0           0           1           0           0

  VERMONT                          1            0           0           1           0           0

  **TOTAL**                        **112156**   **26286**   **23547**   **22294**   **13221**   **26808**
  -------------------------------- ------------ ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------