21760 Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 84 / Tuesday, May 1, 2001 / Notices

Reports Clearance Officer. All requests

should be identified by the title of the

information collection.

The Department specifically requests

comments on: (a) Whether the proposed

collection of information is necessary

for the proper performance of the

functions of the agency, including

whether the information shall have

practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the

agency’s estimate of the burden of the

proposed collection of information; (c)

the quality, utility, and clarity of the

information to be collected; and (d)

ways to minimize the burden of the

collection of information on

respondents, including through the use

of automated collection techniques or

other forms of information technology.

Consideration will be given to

comments and suggestions submitted

within 60 days of this publication.

Dated: April 26, 2001.

Bob Sargis,

Reports Clearance Officer.

[FR Doc. 01–10793 Filed 4–30–01; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4184–01–M

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND

HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and

Families

[Program Announcement No. ACYF/CB–

2001–01]

Announcement of the Availability of

Financial Assistance and Request for

Applications To Support Adoption

Opportunities Demonstration Projects,

Child Abuse and Neglect Discretionary

Activities, Abandoned Infants

Assistance Awards and Projects To

Build the Analytical Capacity of State

Child Welfare Programs

AGENCY: Administration on Children,

Youth and Families (ACYF), ACF,

DHHS.

ACTION: Notice.

Statutory Authority Covering

Discretionary Grant Programs in This

Announcement With the Catalog of

Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA)

Numbers

Adoption Opportunities: Title II of the

Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment

and Adoption Reform Act of 1978, as

amended, (42 USC 5111) CFDA: 93.652.

Promoting Safe and Stable Families:

Section 430 of title IV–B, Subpart 2, of

the Social Security Act, as amended, (42

USC 629) CFDA: 93.556.

Child Abuse and Neglect: Section 104

of the Child Abuse Prevention and

Treatment Act, as amended (42 USC

5101 et seq.) CFDA: 93.670.

Abandoned Infants: Section 101 of

the Abandoned Infants Assistance Act,

as amended (42 USC 670 note) CFDA:

93.551

SUMMARY: The Children’s Bureau (CB)

within the Administration on Children,

Youth and Families (ACYF),

Administration for Children and

Families (ACF) announces the

availability of fiscal year (FY) 2001

funds for competing new Adoption

Opportunities Program, Child Abuse

and Neglect Discretionary Activities,

Abandoned Infants Assistance and

projects to build the analytical capacity

of state child welfare programs. Funds

from the Adoption Opportunities

Program are designed to provide

support for demonstration projects that

facilitate the elimination of barriers to

adoption and provide permanent loving

homes for children who would benefit

from adoption, particularly children

with special needs. Discretionary funds

from the Promoting Safe and Stable

Families Program support research,

training and technical assistance and

evaluation efforts to preserve families.

Funds from the Child Abuse Prevention

and Treatment Act support knowledgebuilding research and service

demonstration projects designed to

assist and enhance national, State and

community efforts to prevent, assess,

identify and treat child abuse and

neglect. Funds from section 101 of the

Abandoned Infants Assistance Act, as

amended (42 USC 670 note) are to

establish a program of comprehensive

service demonstration projects to

prevent the abandonment in hospitals of

infants and young children, particularly

those exposed to a dangerous drug and

those with the human

immunodeficiency virus or who have

been perinatally exposed to the virus.

DATES: The closing time and date for

receipt of applications is 4:30 p.m.

(Eastern Time Zone) on June 15, 2001.

Note: The program announcement,

including all necessary forms can be

downloaded and printed from the Children’s

Bureau web site at www.acf.dhhs.gov/

programs/cb. Hard copies of the program

announcement may be requested in hard

copy by writing or calling the Operations

Center (see phone number and address

below) or sending an email to cb@lcgnet.com.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

ACYF Operations Center at: 1815 N.

Fort Myer Drive, Suite 300, Arlington,

Virginia 22209 or 1–800–351–2293.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Priority Areas

2001A. Adoption Opportunities

2001A.1 Adoptive Placements for

Children in Foster Care

Eligible Applicants: Eligibility is

limited to State social service agencies.

Due to funding limitations and to

generate and financially support the

broadest range of issues and approaches,

priority will be given to applicants who

have not been funded under this

priority in previous years. However,

applicants previously funded under this

priority area will not be precluded from

receiving grants.

Project Duration: The projects will be

awarded for a project period of 36

months. The initial grant award will be

for a 12-month budget period. The

award of continuation funding beyond

each 12-month budget period will be

subject to the availability of funds,

satisfactory progress on the part of each

grantee, and a determination that

continued funding would be in the best

interest of the government.

Federal Share of Project Costs: The

maximum Federal share of the project is

$300,000 per budget period.

Matching or Cost Sharing

Requirement: The grantee must provide

at least 10 percent of the total approved

cost of the project. The total approved

cost is the sum of the Federal share and

the non-Federal share. Therefore, a

project requesting $300,000 per budget

period must include a match of at least

$33,333 per budget period. The nonFederal share may be cash or in-kind

contributions, although applicants are

encouraged to meet their match

requirements through cash

contributions. If approved for funding,

grantees will be held accountable for the

commitment of non-Federal resources

and failure to provide the required

amount will result in a disallowance of

unmatched Federal funds.

Anticipated Number of Projects To Be

Funded: It is anticipated that three

projects will be funded.

2001A.2 Field-Initiated Demonstration

Projects Advancing the State of the Art

in the Adoption Field

Eligible Applicants: States, local

government entities, public and private

nonprofit licensed child welfare and

adoption agencies, and communitybased nonprofit adoption organizations

which currently work with children in

the public child welfare system, and

universities with experience in

adoptions. Applicants without direct

access or responsibility for the targeted

children must apply in partnership with

States, local government entities, or

Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 84 / Tuesday, May 1, 2001 / Notices 21761

public or private nonprofit licensed

child welfare and adoption agencies.

Project Duration: The projects will be

awarded for a project period of 48

months. The initial grant award will be

for a 12-month budget period. The

award of continuation funding beyond

each 12-month budget period will be

subject to the availability of funds,

satisfactory progress on the part of each

grantee, and a determination that

continued funding would be in the best

interest of the government.

Federal Share of Project Costs: The

maximum Federal share of the project is

$250,000 per budget period.

Matching or Cost Sharing

Requirement: The grantee must provide

at least 10 percent of the total approved

cost of the project. The total approved

cost is the sum of the Federal share and

the non-Federal share. Therefore, a

project requesting $250,000 per budget

period must include a match of at least

$27,778 per budget period. The nonFederal share may be cash or in-kind

contributions, although applicants are

encouraged to meet their match

requirements through cash

contributions. If approved for funding,

grantees will be held accountable for the

commitment of non-Federal resources

and failure to provide the required

amount will result in a disallowance of

unmatched Federal funds.

Anticipated Number of Projects To Be

Funded: It is anticipated that four

projects will be funded.

2001A.3 Quality Improvement Centers

on Adoption

Eligible Applicants: Public or private

nonprofit agencies, organizations, and

institutions of higher learning, alone or

in partnerships with child welfare

agencies. The Children’s Bureau

especially encourages partnerships

between public agencies and private

nonprofit agencies, universities and

foundations with adoption experience.

Project Duration: The projects will be

awarded for a period of 60 months. The

initial grant award will be for a 12-

month budget period. The award of

continuation funding beyond each 12-

month budget period will be subject to

the availability of funds, satisfactory

progress on the part of the grantee, and

a determination that continued funding

would be in the best interest of the

government.

Federal Share of Project Costs: The

maximum Federal share of the project is

$175,000 per Quality Improvement

Center (QIC) for the first 12 months.

Years two through five will be funded

at a level of $500,000 per budget period

per QIC. The proposed budget allocated

by the QIC for administrative,

management, and evaluation purposes

in years two through five may not

exceed $125,000 per year.

Matching or Cost Sharing

Requirement: The grantee must provide

at least 10 percent of the total

administrative approved cost of the

project. The total approved

administrative cost is the sum of the

Federal share and the non-Federal

share. Therefore, a project requesting

$175,000 for the 12-month planning

phase must include a match of at least

$19,444. In years two through five,

awardees will be required to provide a

10 percent match on the total cost

allocated by the QIC for administration,

management and evaluation. A project

requesting an annual total of $125,000

for these purposes will be required to

provide a match of at least $13,889 per

year. QIC awardees are not required to

provide a 10 percent match on the

approximately $350,000 that will be

awarded to local sites.

The non-Federal share may be cash or

in-kind contributions, although

applicants are encouraged to meet their

match requirements through cash

contributions. If approved for funding,

grantees will be held accountable for the

commitment of non-Federal resources

and failure to provide the required

amount will result in a disallowance of

unmatched Federal funds.

Anticipated Number of Projects To Be

Funded: It is anticipated that four

projects will be funded.

2001A.4 Evaluations of Existing

Adoption Programs

Eligible Applicants: States, local

government entities, public and private

nonprofit licensed child welfare and

adoption agencies, and communitybased nonprofit adoption organizations

which currently work with children in

the public child welfare system, and

universities with experience in

adoptions and child welfare issues.

Collaborative efforts and

interdisciplinary applications are

encouraged; however, a primary

applicant must be identified.

Project Duration: The projects will be

awarded for a project period of 36

months. The initial grant award will be

for a 12-month budget period. The

award of continuation funding beyond

each 12-month budget period will be

subject to the availability of funds,

satisfactory progress on the part of each

grantee, and a determination that

continued funding would be in the best

interest of the government.

Projects involving evaluations

through secondary analysis of existing

data may propose a shorter duration.

Federal Share of Project Costs: The

maximum Federal share of the project is

$100,000 per budget period.

Matching or Cost Sharing

Requirement: The grantee must provide

at least 10 percent of the total approved

cost of the project. The total approved

cost is the sum of the Federal share and

the non-Federal share. Therefore, a

project requesting $100,000 per budget

period must include a match of at least

$11,111 per budget period. The nonFederal share may be cash or in-kind

contributions, although applicants are

encouraged to meet their match

requirements through cash

contributions. If approved for funding,

grantees will be held accountable for the

commitment of non-Federal resources

and failure to provide the required

amount will result in a disallowance of

unmatched Federal funds.

Anticipated Number of Projects to be

Funded: It is anticipated that up to four

projects will be funded.

2001B. Child Abuse and Neglect

2001B.1 National Resources Center on

Child Maltreatment

Eligible Applicants: Any national,

State, local, Tribal, public or private

nonprofit agency or organization,

including accredited colleges and

universities, with demonstrated

expertise in the field of child welfare

and the prevention, intervention, and

treatment of child abuse and neglect.

Project Duration: The project will be

awarded for a project period of 24

months. The initial grant award will be

for a 12-month budget period. The

award of continuation funding beyond

the 12-month budget period will be

subject to the availability of funds,

satisfactory progress on the part of each

grantee, and a determination that

continued funding would be in the bestr

interest of the government.

Federal Share of Project Costs: The

grant amount will not exceed $700,000

per year for two years. The dollar

amount requested must be fully justified

and documented.

Matching Requirement: None.

Anticipated Number of Projects to be

Funded: It is anticipated that one project

will be funded.

2001B.2 Investigator-Initiated research

Projects Advancing the State of the Art

in the Child Abuse and Neglect Field

Eligible Applicants: State, local

government, public and private

nonprofit, community-based nonprofit

organizations and universities with

experience in the areas of child welfare

child maltreatment. Collaborative efforts

and interdisplinary applications are

21762 Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 84 / Tuesday, May 1, 2001 / Notices

encouraged, however, a primary

applicant must be identified.

Project Duration: The projects will be

awarded for a project of 36 months. The

initial grant award will be for a 12-

month budget period. The award of

continuation funding beyond each 12-

month budget period will be subject to

the availability of funds, satisfactory

progress on the part of each grantee, and

a determination that continued funding

would be in the best interest of the

government.

Projects involving secondary analysis

of existing data may propose a shorter

duration.

Federal Share of Project Costs: The

maximum Federal share of the project is

up to $250,000 per budget period.

Matching or Cost Sharing

Requirement: There is no matching

requirement.

Anticipated Number of Projects To Be

Funded: It is anticipated that up to four

projects will be funded at the maximum

funding level or more than four if

applications for lesser amounts are

funded.

2001B.3 Field-Initiated Demonstration

Projects Advancing the State of the Art

in the Child Abuse and Neglect Field

Eligible Applicants: States, local

government entities, public and private

nonprofit, community-based nonprofit

organizations and universities with

experience in the areas of child welfare

and child maltreatment. Collaborative

efforts and interdisciplinary

applications are encouraged; however, a

primary applicant must be identified.

Project Duration: The projects will be

awarded for a project period of 48

months. The initial grant award will be

for a 12-month budget period. The

award of continuation funding beyond

each 12-month budget period will be

subject to the availability of funds,

satisfactory progress on the part of each

grantee, and a determination that

continued funding would be in the best

interest of the government.

Federal Share of Project Costs: The

maximum Federal share of the project is

$250,000 per budget period.

Matching or Cost Sharing

Requirement: There is no matching

requirement.

Anticipated Number of Projects To Be

Funded: It is anticipated that four

projects will be funded.

2001B.4 Quality Improvement Centers

for Child Protective Services

Eligible Applicants: Public or private

nonprofit agencies, organizations, and

institutions of higher learning, alone or

in partnerships with child welfare

agencies. The Children’s Bureau

especially encourages partnerships

between public agencies and private

nonprofit agencies, universities and

foundations with experience in child

maltreatment issues.

Project Duration: The projects will be

awarded for a period of 60 months. The

initial grant award will be for a 12-

month budget period. The award of

continuation funding beyond each 12-

month budget period will be subject to

the availability of funds, satisfactory

progress on the part of the grantee, and

a determination that continued funding

would be in the best interest of the

government.

Federal Share of Project Costs: The

maximum Federal share of the project is

$175,000 per QIC for the first 12

months. Years two through five will be

funded at a level of $500,000 per budget

period per QIC. The proposed budget

allocated by the QIC for administrative,

management, and evaluation purposes

in years two through five may not

exceed $125,000 per year.

Matching or Cost Sharing

Requirement: The grantee must provide

at least 10 percent of the total approved

administrative cost of the project. The

total approved administrative cost is the

sum of the Federal share and the nonFederal share. Therefore, a project

requesting $175,000 for the 12-month

planning phase must include a match of

at least $19,444. In years two through

five, awardees will be required to

provide a 10 percent match on the total

cost allocated by the QIC for

administration, management, and

evaluation. A project requesting an

annual total of $125,000 for these

purposes will be required to provide a

match of at least $13,889 per year. QIC

awardees are not required to provide a

10 percent match on the approximately

$350,000 that will be awarded to local

sites.

The non-Federal share may be cash or

in-kind contributions, although

applicants are encouraged to meet their

match requirements through cash

contributions. If approved for funding,

grantees will be held accountable for the

commitment of non-Federal resources

and failure to provide the required

amount will result in a disallowance of

unmatched Federal funds.

Anticipated Number of Projects To Be

Funded: It is anticipated that four

projects will be funded.

2001B.5 Evaluations of Existing Child

Abuse and Neglect Programs

Eligible Applicants: Public (State,

Tribal, or local) or private nonprofit

agencies, organizations, or institutions

of higher learning are eligible to apply.

Collaborative efforts and

interdisciplinary applications are

encouraged; however, a primary

applicant must be identified.

Project Duration: The projects will be

awarded for a project period of 36

months. The initial grant award will be

for a 12-month budget period. The

award of continuation funding beyond

each 12-month budget period will be

subject to the availability of funds,

satisfactory progress on the part of each

grantee, and a determination that

continued funding would be in the best

interest of the government.

Projects involving secondary analysis

of existing data may propose a shorter

duration.

Federal Share of Project Costs: The

maximum Federal share of the project is

$100,000 per budget period.

Matching or Cost Sharing

Requirement: There is no matching

requirement.

Anticipated Number of Projects To Be

Funded: It is anticipated that up to four

projects will be funded.

2001C: Abandoned Infants

2001C.1 Support for Previous

Comprehensive Service Demonstration

Projects

Eligible Applicants: Comprehensive

service demonstration projects initially

funded in FY 1977. Current grantees

applying under this priority are advised

that this is a competitive funding

process and that applications approved

for funding will be given a new grant

number. Existing award activities

cannot overlap with the new grant’s

project period, and funds from the

currently existing grants cannot be

expended for the new grant activities.

Project Duration: The projects will be

awarded for a project period of 48

months. The initial grant award will be

for a 12-month budget period. The

award of continuation funding beyond

each 12-month budget period will be

subject to the availability of funds,

satisfactory progress on the part of the

grantee, and a determination that

continued funding would be in the best

interest of the government.

Federal Share of Project Costs: Grant

amounts will vary and range up to

$450,000 per budget period per grantee

for each of the 4 years.

Matching Requirement: The grantees

must provide at least 10 percent of the

total approved cost of the project. The

total approved cost of the project is the

sum of the Federal share and the nonFederal share. The non-Federal share

may be met by cash or in-kind

contributions, although applicants are

encouraged to meet their match

requirements through cash

Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 84 / Tuesday, May 1, 2001 / Notices 21763

contributions. Therefore, a project

requesting a total of $450,000 in Federal

funds for the first budget period must

include a match of at least $50,000 (10

percent of total approved project costs).

If approved for funding, grantees will be

held accountable for the commitment of

non-Federal resources and failure to

provide the required amount will result

in a disallowance of unmatched Federal

funds.

Anticipated Number of Projects To Be

Funded: it is anticipated that four

projects will be funded.

2001C.2 Support for New

Comprehensive Service Demonstration

Projects

Eligible Applicants: Any State, local

public or nonprofit agency or

organization including accredited

colleges and universities. Applicants

who can apply under this priority area

include: (1) Applicants in jurisdictions

in which there currently does not exist

a program funded under the Abandoned

Infants Assistance Program (check the

National Abandoned Infants Assistance

Resource Center’s web site http.//

www.socrates.berkeley.edu/∼aiarc for a

list of current programs); (2) applicants

who have previously received funding

under the Abandoned Infants Assistance

Program but are not currently grantees;

and (3) applicants that are currently

funded by the Abandoned Infants

Assistance Program but are establishing

a program in a separate locality serving

a different target population, e.g., an

agency establishing a program in a

different city of establishing a second

program in a city with a population over

1,000,000.

Project Duration: The projects will be

awarded for a project period of 48

months. The initial grant award will be

for a 12-month budget period. The

award of continuation funding beyond

each 12-month budget period will be

subject to the availability of funds,

satisfactory progress on the part of the

grantee, and a determination that

continued funding would be in the best

interest of the government.

Federal Share of Project Costs: Grant

amount will vary and range up to

$450,000 per budget period for each of

the 4 years.

Matching Requirement: The grantees

must provide at least 10 percent of the

total approved cost of the project. The

total approved cost of the project is the

sum of the ACF share and the nonFederal share. The non-Federal share

may be met by cash or in-kind

contributions, although applicants are

encouraged to meet their match

requirements through cash

contributions. Therefore, a project

requesting a total of $450,000 in Federal

funds for the first budget period must

include a match of at least $50,000 (10

percent of total approved project costs).

If approved for funding, grantees will be

held accountable for the commitment of

non-Federal resources and failure to

provide the required amount will result

in a disallowance of unmatched Federal

funds.

Anticipated Number of Projects To Be

Funded: It is anticipated that four

projects will be funded.

2001C.3 Family Support Services for

Grandparents and Other Relatives

Providing Care for Children of Women

Who Are Substance Abusing and HIV

Positive

Eligible Applicants: Public agencies

and private, nonprofit organizations and

institutions of higher education are

eligible to apply.

Project Duration: The projects will be

awarded for a project period of 48

months. The initial grant award will be

for a 12-month budget period. The

award of continuation funding beyond

each 12-month budget period will be

subject to the availability of funds,

satisfactory progress on the part of the

grantee, and a determination that

continued funding would be in the best

interest of the government.

Federal Share of Project Costs: Grant

amounts will not exceed $100,000 per

budget period for each of the 4 years.

The dollar amount request must be fully

justified and documented.

Matching Requirement: Grantees must

provide at least 10 percent of the total

approved cost of the project. The total

approved cost of the project is the sum

of the Federal share and the non-Federal

share. The non-Federal share may be

met by cash or in-kind contributions,

although applicants are encouraged to

meet their match requirements through

cash contributions. Therefore, a project

requesting $100,000 in Federal funds

per year must include a match of at least

$11,111 (10 percent of approved project

costs per budget period). If approved for

funding, grantees will be held

accountable for the commitment of nonFederal resources and failure to provide

the required amount will result in a

disallowance of unmatched Federal

funds.

Anticipated Number of Projects To Be

Funded: It is anticipated that up to three

projects will be funded.

2001C.4 Recreational Services for

Children Affected by HIV/AIDS

Eligible Applicants: Public agencies

and private, nonprofit organizations and

institutions of higher education are

eligible to apply.

Project Duration: The projects will be

awarded for a project period of 48

months. The initial grant award will be

for a 12-month budget period. The

award of continuation funding beyond

each 12-month budget period will be

subject to the availability of funds,

satisfactory progress on the part of the

grantee, and a determination that

continued funding would be in the best

interest of the government.

Federal Share of Project Costs: Grant

amounts will vary from $50,000 to

$100,000 per budget period for each of

the 4 years. The dollar amount

requested must be fully justified and

documented.

Matching Requirement: Grantees must

provide at least 10 percent of the total

approved cost of the project. The total

approved cost of the project is the sum

of the Federal share and the non-Federal

share. The non-Federal share may be

met by cash or in-kind contributions,

although applicants are encouraged to

meet their match requirements through

cash contributions. Therefore, a project

requesting a total of $100,000 in Federal

funds for the first budget period must

include a match of at least $11,111 (10

percent of total approved project costs).

If approved for funding, grantees will be

held accountable for the commitment of

non-Federal resources and failure to

provide the required amount will result

in a disallowance of unmatched Federal

funds.

Anticipated Number of Projects To Be

Funded: It is anticipated that three

projects will be funded.

2001D. Building Analytical Capacity for

Child Welfare Programs in the States

2001D.1 Demonstration Sites: Building

Analytical Capacity for Child Welfare

Programs in the States

Eligible Applicants: Eligibility is

limited to States that have not yet

developed capacities for data analysis

and interpretation to improve decisionmaking and accountability. Funds will

be awarded for building an

infrastructure for research and

evaluation designed to increase

efficiency and effectiveness of State

child welfare programs.

Project Duration: The projects will be

awarded for a project period of 36

months. The initial grant award will be

for a 12-month budget period. The

award of continuation funding beyond

each 12-month budget period will be

subject to the availability of funds,

satisfactory progress on the part of each

grantee, and a determination that

continued funding would be in the best

interest of the government.

21764 Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 84 / Tuesday, May 1, 2001 / Notices

Federal Share of Project Costs: The

maximum Federal share of the project is

$250,000 per budget period.

Matching or Cost Sharing

Requirement: The grantee must provide

at least 10 percent of the total approved

cost of the project. The total approved

cost is the sum of the Federal share and

the non-Federal share. Therefore, a

project requesting $250,000 per budget

period must include a match of at least

$27,778 per budget period. The nonFederal share may be cash or in-kind

contributions, although applicants are

encouraged to meet their match

requirements through cash

contributions. If approved for funding,

grantees will be held accountable for the

commitment of non-Federal resources

and failure to provide the required

amount will result in a disallowance of

unmatched Federal funds.

Anticipated Number of Projects To Be

Funded: It is anticipated that four

projects will be funded.

2001D.2 Mentor Sites: Building

Analytical Capacity for Child Welfare

Programs in the States

Eligible Applicants: Eligibility is

limited to the States that have already

developed capacities, in-house or

contractually, for data analysis and

interpretation and can serve as mentors

for other States that seek to improve

data analysis through advanced research

and evaluation. Funds will be awarded

to the mentor sites for consulting and

technical assistance to promote

increased efficiency and effectiveness of

child welfare programs in States that

have not yet developed capacities for

advanced data analysis and

interpretation.

Project Duration: The projects will be

awarded for a project period of 36

months. The initial grant award will be

for a 12-month budget period. The

award of continuation funding beyond

each 12-month budget period will be

subject to the availability of funds,

satisfactory progress on the part of each

grantee, and a determination that

continued funding would be in the best

interest of the government.

Federal Share of Project Costs: The

maximum Federal share of the project is

$150,000 per budget period.

Matching or Cost Sharing

Requirement: There is not matching

requirement.

Anticipated Number of Projects To Be

Funded: It is anticipated that four

projects will be funded.

Evaluation Criteria

Reviewers will consider the following

factors when scoring applications.

However, in order to adequately prepare

their applications, applicants must refer

to the full program announcement for

the specific evaluation criteria for each

priority area. The points awarded for

each criterion vary, depending on the

specific priority area.

Criterion 1: Objectives and Need for

Assistance. Applications will be judged

on the extent to which they clearly

specify the purposes and/or strategies of

the proposed project and their

relationship to legislative authority and

child welfare outcomes, as appropriate;

the quality of their statement regarding

the need for the project; and evidence

that the applicant understands current

issues and recent developments in the

field that may have relevance to the

implementation of the project.

Applicants must refer to the specific

evaluation criteria for each priority area

contained in the full Program

Announcement in order to adequately

prepare their applications. The points

awarded for this criterion vary,

depending on the specific priority area.

Criterion 2: Approach. Applicants

will be judged on the clarity, feasibility,

and thoroughness of their description of

the approach that they intend to use in

implementing proposed projects. The

approach sections will be expected to

include, as appropriate, information on

barriers to implementation and

proposed solutions to those barriers;

necessary collaborations with other

organizations and agencies and their

respective roles; evaluation plans;

reporting requirements; and staffing

plans. Applicants must refer to the

specific evaluation criteria for each

priority area contained in the full

Program Announcement in order to

adequately prepare their applications.

The points awarded for this criterion

vary, depending on the specific priority

area.

Criterion 3: Organizational Profiles.

Applicants will be judged on the

experience and demonstrated

competence of staff who are proposed to

implement the project and, as

appropriate, the experience of the

organization in implementing related

projects. Applicants must refer to the

specific evaluation criteria for each

priority area contained in the full

Program Announcement in order to

adequately prepare their applications.

The points awarded for this criterion

vary, depending on the specific priority

area.

Criterion 4: Budget and budget

justification. Applicants will be judged

on the adequacy, reasonableness, and

completeness of their budget requests to

support their proposed projects,

including their management plans to

control and account for expenditure of

project funds. Applicants must refer to

the specific evaluation criteria for each

priority area contained in the full

Program Announcement in order to

adequately prepare their applications.

The points awarded for this criterion

vary, depending on the specific priority

area.

Required Notification of the Single

Point of Contact

Most portions of this program are

covered under Executive Order 12372,

Intergovernmental Review of Federal

Programs, and 45 CFR part 100,

Intergovernmental Review of

Department of Health and Human

Services program and Activities. Under

the Order, States may design their own

processes for reviewing and

commenting on proposed Federal

assistance under covered programs.

All States and Territories except

Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Colorado,

Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana,

Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts,

Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New

Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma,

Oregon, Palau, Pennsylvania, South

Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia,

Washington, and Wyoming have elected

to participate in the Executive Order

process and have established Single

Points of Contact (SPOCs). Applicants

from these jurisdictions need take no

action regarding Executive Order 12372.

Applicants for projects to be

administered by Federally-recognized

Indian Tribes are also exempt from the

requirements of Executive Order 12372.

Applicants to the Adoption

Opportunities program are also exempt

from the requirements of Executive

Order 12372. Otherwise, applicants

should contact their SPOCs as soon as

possible to alert them of the prospective

applications and receive any necessary

instructions. Applicants must submit

any required material to the SPOCs as

soon as possible so that the program

office can obtain and review SPOC

comments as part of the award process.

It is imperative that the applicant

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.

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

Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 84 / Tuesday, May 1, 2001 / Notices 21765

trigger the accommodate or explain rule.

A list of the Single Points of Contact for

each State and Territory can be found

on line at http://www.whitehouse.gov/

omb/grants/spoc.html.

Dated: April 25, 2001.

Gail E. Collins,

Acting Deputy Commissioner, Administration

on Children, Youth and Families.

[FR Doc. 01–10792 Filed 4–30–01; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4184–01–M

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND

HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and

Families

[Program Announcement No. ACYF/HS–

2001–10]

Fiscal Year 2001 Discretionary

Announcement for Head Start—Higher

Education Hispanic/Latino Service

Partnerships: Availability of Funds and

Request for Applications

AGENCY: Administration on Children,

Youth and Families (ACYF).

ACTION: Notice.

Statutory Authority: The Head Start Act, as

amended 42 U.S.C. 9801 et seq.

SUMMARY: The Administration for

Children and Families (ACF),

Administration on Children, Youth and

Families (ACYF) announces the

availability of approximately $500,000

annually for each of four (4) years to

support Head Start-Higher Education

Hispanic/Latino Service Partnerships

(HS–HEHLSPs). The goal of this HS–

HEHLSPs initiative is to improve the

quality and long term effectiveness of

Head Start and Early Head Start

programs by developing models of

academic training through partnerships

between institutions of higher education

and Head Start and Early Head Start

agencies. The priority for this funding

is: Partnerships to increase the number

of center-based teachers with AA, BA or

advanced degrees in early childhood

education or related fields earned by

Head Start teachers, in order to assist

Head Start grantees to meet the 2003

Congressional mandate and to provide

teachers with knowledge areas vital in

building quality Head Start programs.

DATES: The closing date and time for

receipt of application is 4:30 p.m.

(Eastern Time Zone), June 15, 2001.

Note: Applications should be submitted to:

ACYF Operations Center, 1815 North Fort

Myer Drive, Suite 300, Arlington, Virginia

22209.

However, prior to preparing and

submitting an application, in order to

satisfactorily compete under this

announcement, it will be necessary for

potential applicants to read the full

announcement which is available

through the addresses listed below.

ADDRESSES: Applications, including all

necessary forms can be downloaded

from the Head Start Web site at

www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/hsb. The

Web site also contains a listing of all

Head Start and Early Head Start

programs. Hard copies of the

application may be obtained by writing

or calling the Operations Center or

sending an e-mail to hrs@lcgnet.com.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

ACYF Operations Center at: 1815 N.

Fort Myer Drive, Suite 300, Arlington,

Virginia 22209 or 1–800–351–2293.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Eligible Applicants: Institutions of

higher education with experience and

capability in educating and preparing

professionals to work effectively with

Hispanic young children and families

are eligible to apply. Institutions that are

currently funded under the Head Start—

Higher Education Hispanic Service

partnerships are not eligible to apply

under this announcement.

Project Duration: The announcement

is soliciting applications for project

periods up to four years. Awards, on a

competitive basis, will be for a one-year

budget period, although projects may be

for four years. Applications for

continuation funds under these awards

beyond the first year budget period, but

within the established project period,

will be entertained in subsequent years

on a non-competitive basis, subject to

availability of funds, satisfactory

progress of the grantee, and a

determination that continued funding

would be in the best interest of the

Government.

Federal Share of Project Costs: The

maximum share is $150,000 for the first

year of the four-year period. The Federal

share is inclusive of indirect costs.

Matching Requirements: There are no

matching requirements.

Anticipated Number of Projects to be

Funded: It is anticipated that

approximately four projects will be

funded.

Anticipated Number of Projects to be

Funded: It is anticipated that

approximately four projects will be

funded.

Review Criteria

Criterion 1. Objectives and Need for

Assistance: (10 Points)

The extent to which the application

identifies relevant physical, economic,

social, financial, institutional or other

problems requiring a grant;

demonstrates the need for assistance;

and states the principal and subordinate

objectives of the project consistent with

the purposes of the program

announcement.

The Head Start Bureau is particularly

interested in the following aspects of the

applications:

1. State the specific training objectives

for the program. Indicate how these

objectives are based on an assessment of

staff training and program improvement

needs of participant Head Start and

Early Head Start agencies; how they

related to Head Start goals, outcomes

and policy priorities, and how they will

enhance the quality of Head Start

services to Hispanic/Latino children

and their families.

2. Describe the process used to assess

the needs for the proposed program

design. Specifically identify the

population to be served in terms of

numbers and types of staff to be trained

and the proposed areas of training,

course, and/or degrees to be awarded.

3. Describe the development of the

HS–HEHLSPs agreement and other

consultation related to the development

of the proposed initiative. Describe any

efforts to frame the proposed initiative

within broader state or community

efforts to enhance professional and

career development for staff in all forms

of early childhood and child care

programs.

Criterion 2. Results or Benefits

Expected: (20 points)

The extent to which the application

identifies the results and benefits to be

derived; describes the anticipated

contribution to policy, practice, theory

and/or research; specific benefits should

be described for both the HS–HEHLSPs

and Head Start/Migrant Head Start/

Early Head Start partners.

The Head Start Bureau is particularly

interested in the following aspects of the

applications:

1. Based on the stated program

objectives, identify the results and

benefits to be derived. Identify the

specific results or benefits that could be

expected for the Head Start grantee(s)

and the institution. Describe how the

trainees benefit from the project.

2. Identify both qualitative and

quantitative data the applicant will

collect to measure progress towards the

stated results or benefits. Identify how

the program will determine the extent to

which it has achieved its stated

objectives.

3. Provide a projection of the

estimated number of trainees, by

category, who will earn degrees over the

four year duration of the project based

on an analysis of the current levels of