Adoption Opportunities
Related Programs
Examples of Funded Projects
Developing services and support for youth who wish to retain contact with family members in order to improve permanency outcomes; and Field Initiated Services Demonstration projects in the adoption field.
The Healthy Marriage Initiative, which began in 2002, is designed to help couples who have chosen marriage for themselves gain access to services that will help them acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to form and sustain a healthy marriage.
The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) began awarding the initial grants in 2003.
The Department of Health and Human Services is the Federal government's principal agency for protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services, especially to those who are least able to help themselves.
Program Accomplishments
In fiscal year 2007, 56 grantees were awarded funds. It is anticipated that approximately 48 grants will be awarded in fiscal year 2008 and approximately 48 grants in FY 09.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Grants and contracts are for (1) education, training and technical assistance programs on adoption, (2) ongoing and extensive recruitment on the national level, (3) supporting and studying the placement of children in kinship care arrangements, pre-adoptive, or adoptive homes, (4) maintain a nation resource center for special needs adoption, (5) minority recruitment, (6) provision of post legal adoption services, (7) improving the permanent placement rate of children, especially older children, in foster care, and (8) developing and implementing a national adoption and foster care data gathering and analysis system and a national adoption information exchange system.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Grants or Contracts: State, local government entities, public or private licensed child welfare or adoption agencies or community based other organizations, or adoptive family groups, minority groups, sectarian institutions.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Children who are in foster care and with the goal of adoption.
Credentials/Documentation
Nonprofit organizations which have not previously had Office of Management Services or ACF support must submit proof of nonprofit status. Applicable costs and administrative procedures will be determined by 45 CFR 74 and 92.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
Limited consultation available at Headquarters Office.
The standard application forms as furnished by DHHS must be used for this program.
This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.
12372.
Application Procedures
Applications must be submitted to The Administration on Children, Youth and Families Headquarters Office listed below.
Award Procedures
After review and recommendation by a nonfederal panel, the Commissioner, ACYF, makes final decision.
Deadlines
Determined annually and specified in the annual program announcement which appears in the Federal Register.
Authorization
Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment and Adoption Reform Act of 1978, Title II, as amended by Public Law 95-266; Public Law 100-294; Public Law 102-295; Public Law 104-235 and Public Law 108-36 (42 U.S.C. 5111 et seq.)
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
From 90 to 180 days.
Appeals
Appeals are processed in accordance with HHS regulations in 45 CFR Part 16.
Renewals
Renewals are available for multi-year grants through formal submission of progress reports and continuation applications. Funding for multi-year grants is provided on an annual basis.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
This program has no statutory formula or matching requirements; however, administratively-required matching is described in the annual program announcement.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Grants may extend from 3 to 5 years. Average duration is expected to be 5 years.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Financial reports, semi-annual financial reports and progress reports.
Final progress report, financial report due 90 days after completion of grant.
Audits
Audits are conducted in accordance with the requirements in 45 CFR 74 and 92.
Records
Grantees are required to keep financial and other grant records for 3 years after the completion of the grant or completion of audit whichever occurs first.
Financial Information
Account Identification
75-1536-0-1-506.
Obigations
(Grants and Contracts) FY 07 $26,848,000; FY 08 $26,379,000; and FY 09 est $26,379,000. (Note: The funds in this program are also available for program contracts. The amounts that can be used for contracts cannot be predetermined.)
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
$200,000 to $1,000,000; $300,000.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
Priority statements, application information and submission deadline available at no charge.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
None.
Headquarters Office
Children's Bureau, Administration for Children and Families, 1250 Maryland Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC 20024. Contact: Jan Shafer, Telephone: (202) 205-8172.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
An assessment is made of: (1) The degree to which proposal shows promise of meeting specific objectives defined in a program announcement; (2) innovation and advancement of the field, (3) reasonableness of cost; and (4) qualification of staff.
Social Entrepreneurship
Spotlight
The Social Innovators of 2014
For 2014, the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship has recognized 37 individuals for their outstanding work in the field of social enterprise.
