Federal Grant System A dministration for C hildren and F amilies (ACF) Office of Grants Management

1. Federal Grant System Administration for Children and Families (ACF)Office of Grants Management Health Marriages, Healthy Families and Responsible Fatherhood Conference Auburn University February 4, 2009

2. ACF – Who Are We? • The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is the principal federal agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to oversee programs promoting the well-being of children, families, individuals and communities.

3. Region IV

4. What Programs Does ACF Support? • ACF brings together a broad range of over 60 Federal programs that promote the economic and social well being of families, children, individuals and communities. Major program services include: • TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families) • Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) • Child Support Enforcement • Child Welfare • Developmental Disabilities • Runaway and Homeless Youth • Head Start • http://www.cfda.gov/ • http://www.acf.hhs.gov/

5. Methods of Federal Assistance • There are three forms of award instruments, they are: • Grants: • A grant is a federal assistance, in the form of money or property, authorized by Federal law to support programs which the government wishes to encourage. Grants are not benefits or entitlements. • Cooperative agreements: • This is where ACF provides financial assistance to the recipient and is a partner in the relationship. • Contracts: • A contract is used to acquire property or services for the Federal government's direct benefit or use. • DHHS is one of 26 Federal agencies that provide grant opportunities.

6. Who Are The Players in the Grant Process? • Congress • Federal agencies • Applicants, recipients, and sub recipients • Beneficiaries • Taxpayers • Media • Interest groups

7. Types of Grants • Mandatory • Recipient has enforceable right to receive the assistance • Grant usually determined by a formula prescribed by law or regulation • Discretionary • Decision to grant an award rests with the awarding agency • Conditions may be placed on the grant • Specific projects are proposed and approved • Amount is determined through a negotiation agreement • Funded annually at the discretion of Congress

8. Grants Discretionary Mandatory Block Demonstration Research Construction Training Open-Ended Service Close-Ended

9. Discretionary Grant Process Congress Authorizes the program President requests funds: Congress appropriatesthem. Federal agency may develop program regulations to guide program implementation. Agency closes out the award at the end of the project period. Agency advertisesavailability of funds. Process may be repeated for subawards. Prospective recipient applies for assistance. Recipient conducts approved project; agency monitors the award Agency reviewsapplications and selects proposals for funding.

10. Grants Requirements Framework • Statutory • Program • Administrative • Internal

11. Grants Requirements Framework (cont.) • Statutory • Authorization • Appropriation • National Policy • Program • Regulations • Guidelines

12. Grants Requirements Framework (cont.) • Administrative • OMB • By Agency • Internal • Executive Order • Agency policy manuals

13. What Organizations Receive Grants From ACF? • Government Organizations • Profit • Non Profit • Faith based and Community based organizations • Special Initiatives – Promote programs that strengthen children, families and communities.

14. Administrative Requirements

15. Funding Opportunities For funding opportunities, go to the following websites: • http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/ • Grants.gov find

16. How Do I Apply for a Grant? • Apply by mail • Apply On-line • ACF Will not accept applications via fax or e-mail. http://www.grants.gov/

17. Apply via Mail The following documents are maintained by the Office of Financial Services • Application • SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance • SF-424A Budget Information – Non construction Programs • SF-424C Budget Information - Construction Programs • Assurances • SF-424B Non-construction Programs • SF-424D Construction Programs

18. Apply via Mail (Cont.) Certifications • Certification Regarding Lobbying • Debarment Certification • Drug-free Certification • Environmental Tobacco Smoke Disclosures • SF LLL Disclosure of lobbying activities Program Description

19. Obtain DUNS number http://www.grants.gov/assets/OrgRegUserGuide.pdf Register with the Central Contractor Registry (CCR) Establish the Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) AOR must register on Grants.gov AOR Authorization Apply On-Line First, you must do the following:

20. What You Get With Grants.gov • Closing date • Agency providing the funding • Funding opportunity number • Number of awards • Amount of funding • CFDA number • Eligible applicants • Link to the full announcement

21. What Should You Get From This Presentation? If you leave here today with only one piece of information, that piece should be: Grants.gov

22. Grant.gov was established as a governmental resource named the E-Grant Initiative, part of the President’s 2002 Fiscal Year Management Agenda to improve government services to the public.

23. The concept has its origins in the Federal Financial assistance Management Improvement Act of 11999, also known as Public Law 106-107, and is now know as the Grants Policy Committee (GPC).

24. Today, Grants.gov is a central storehouse for information on over 1,000 grant programs and provides access to approximately $500 billion in annual awards.

25. ATTENTION! Grants.gov does not offer money for personal financial assistance or debt. If you are seeking personal financial assistance such as: Social Security/Supplemental Security Income, Medicaid or State Social Services, please visit: www.GovBenefits.govStudent Loans, please visit: www.Studentaid.ed.govSmall Business Start-up Loans,please visit: www.sba.govThis type of individual assistance is NOT available on this website.

26. Contact Information James Colvin 61 Forsyth Street, Suite 4M60 Atlanta, GA 30303 Ph: 404.562.2838 james.colvin@acf.hhs.gov