Special Nutrition Assistance Program Outreach/Participation Program
Program Participation Grants: The purpose of the Program Participation grants is to support efforts by State agencies and their community-based and faith-based partners to develop and implement: 1) Simple SNAP application and eligibility systems; or 2) Measures to improve access to SNAP benefits by eligible applicants.
Grants: http://www.fns.usda.gov/fsp/outreach/grants/2004/2005-summary.htm and http://www.fns.usda.gov/fsp/outreach/grants/2004/summary.htm.
Program Participation Grants: http://www.fns.usda.gov/fsp/government/participation-grants.htm.
www.fns.usda.gov/fsp/government/06-participation-grants.htm.
www.fns.usda.gov/fsp/government/pdf/2007-participation-grants.pdf.
Established in 1862, the Department of Agriculture serves all Americans through anti-hunger efforts, stewardship of nearly 200 million acres of national forest and rangelands, and through product safety and conservation efforts. The USDA opens markets for American farmers and ranchers and provides food for needy people around the world.
Program Accomplishments
Outreach Grants: http://www.fns.usda.gov/fsp/outreach/default.htm. Program Participation Grants: http://www.fns.usda.gov/fsp/government/program-improvement.htm.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Program Participation Grants: Funds for program participation projects are to be used to improve the quality and efficiency of operations within SNAP offices and no more than 25 percent of the grant funds may be used for outreach activities.
Applications must comply with criteria listed in the Request for Application package.
Outreach Grants: Funds are used for research into SNAP outreach strategies to one or more of the targeted groups of people who are eligible for the program but traditionally underused food stamp benefits.
Applications must comply with criteria listed in the Request for Application package.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Outreach Grants: Public organizations, with the exception of State and local SNAP agencies; and Private, nonprofit organizations; specific instructions provided in Request for Application.
Program Participation Grants: State agencies that administer the SNAP, State or local governments; agencies that provide health or welfare services; public health or educational entities and private nonprofit entities such as community-based or faith-based organizations, food banks, or other emergency feeding organizations.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Persons potentially eligible for SNAP benefits (low-income individuals or families).
Credentials/Documentation
Proof of nonprofit status is required of nonprofit organizations and institutions. Nonprofits must also submit an IRS Determination Letter, Form 501C (3). Specific instructions provided in Request for Application.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
Instructions provided in Request for Application.
This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.
12372.
Application Procedures
Application package should be prepared in accordance with instructions in a specific Request for Application (RFA) and sent to the grant officer identified in the RFA.
Award Procedures
A Grant Review Technical Panel objectively reviews all complete and timely applications according to established review criteria provided in the Request for Applications and makes recommendations to Agency officials, who make final award decisions.
Deadlines
Provided in Request for Application.
Authorization
Section, 17a(1), Food Stamp Act of 1977, 7 U.S.C. 2026(a)(a); Section 17(b)(1), 7 U.S.C. 2026(b)(1); Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002, Public Law 107-171.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Provided in Request for Application.
Appeals
None.
Renewals
None.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
None.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Provided in Request for Application.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Instructions provided in Request for Application.
Audits
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133; Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations; State governments that expend Federal financial assistance of $500,000 or more within any fiscal year shall have either a single audit or (in certain cases) a program specific audit made for that year. Audits may be conducted less frequently under conditions specified in A-133.
Records
State agencies must maintain records as necessary to support the use of SNAP Grant funds in accordance with the Grant Agreement. Such records must be retained for a period of 3 years after the date of submission of the final report for the fiscal year to which the records pertain, except that if audit findings have not been resolved, the records shall be retained beyond the three year period as long as required for the resolution of the issues raised by the audit.
Financial Information
Account Identification
12-3505-0-1-605.
Obigations
FY 07 $989,197; FY 08 est not available; and FY 09 est not reported.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Based on availability of funds.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
Outreach Grants: 7 CFR Part 3016, 7 CFR Part 3017, 7 CFR Part 3018. Program Participation Grants: 7 CFR Part 3015, 7 CFR Part 3016, 7CFR Part 3017, 7 CFR Part 3021, 7 CFR Part 3019.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
None.
Headquarters Office
Grants Management Division, Food and Nutrition Service, Department of Agriculture, Alexandria, VA 22302. Telephone: (703) 305-2867. Contact: Leslie Byrd, Grant Officer for Outreach Grants, or Lisa Johnson, Grant Officer for Program Participation Grants.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
The review panel to score and rank applications uses Technical Review Criteria, which are furnished to all applicants in the Request for Applications package.
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