Chafee Education and Training Vouchers Program (ETV)
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 FY 2007, 53 grants were awarded. In FY 2008 and 2009, the same number of grants are anticipated.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Funds may be used to provide vouchers for postsecondary education and training to youth otherwise eligible for services under the State's Chafee Foster Care Independence Program.
Vouchers may also be provided to youth who are adopted from foster care after age 16 and to youth up to the age of 23, as long as they are participating in the program at age 21 and are making satisfactory progress toward completing their course of study or training.
Vouchers provided to individuals may be available for the cost of attending an institution of higher education (as defined in section 472 of the Higher Education Act) and shall not exceed the lesser of $5,000 per grant year or the total cost of attendance as defined in section 472 of the Higher Education Act.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
State governments, including the 50 States, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Youth otherwise eligible for services under a State's Chafee Foster Care Independence Program. (This includes youth who have left foster care because they attained 18 years of age, and have not yet attained 21 years of age; youth likely to remain in foster care until 18 years of age, commensurate with the State criteria used to determine eligibility for the program; and former foster care recipients, age 21 and younger.) Vouchers may also be provided to youth who are adopted from foster care after attaining age 16 and to youth up to the age of 23, as long as they are participating in the voucher program at age 21 and are making satisfactory progress toward completing their course of study or training.
Credentials/Documentation
Costs will be determined in accordance with 45 CFR Part 92.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
Applications must include the information and assurances required from the States.
This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.
12372.
Application Procedures
Applications must be submitted by a State to the appropriate Regional Administrator for the Administration for Children and Families.
Award Procedures
Quarterly awards are made up to the amount of one-fourth of the State's annual allotment.
Deadlines
June 30 of each year.
Authorization
Social Security Act, Sections 471, 472, 474, 475, and 477 of Title IV-E; Public Law 106-169, Chafee Foster Care Independence Act of 1999; Public Law 107-133, Promoting Safe and Stable Families Amendments of 2001.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
None.
Appeals
Appeals are processed in accordance with HHS regulations in 45 CFR, Part 16.
Renewals
None.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Each State is allotted an amount of funds which bears the same ratio as the number of children in foster care in that State bears to the total number of children in foster care in all States in the most recent fiscal year for which such information is available. Data submitted by States into the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) national database will be used to calculate State allotments. The Federal government will pay 80% of the total amount of funds expended by the States (less any penalties) up to the amount of funds allotted to the State for the Educational and Training Vouchers program. The State must provide matching contributions to cover the additional 20% of the costs.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Grant awards are made quarterly on a fiscal year basis.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
States are required to submit expenditure reports and annual program reports.
Audits
Audits are conducted in accordance with the requirements in 45 CFR 74 and 92.
Records
States are required to maintain supporting documentation of activities and adequate fiscal records.
Financial Information
Account Identification
75-1536-0-1-506.
Obigations
(Grants and Contracts) FY 07 $46,110,000; FY 08 $45,351,000; and FY 09 est $45,351,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Formula grants were awarded to all 53 States, including Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia. Grant amounts range from $85,151 to $7,185,089 in FY 2007. Average grant was $870,000. It is anticipated that awards for FY 08 and FY 09 will range from $83,664 to $7,059,632.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
None.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
Contact Regional Administrator for Children and Families.
Headquarters Office
Pamela Johnson, Children's Bureau, Administration for Children and Families, 1250 Maryland Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC 20024; 8th Floor. (202) 205-8086.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
States meeting requirements for funds will receive grants.
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