Basic Center Grant
Services must be delivered outside of the law enforcement,
The goals and objectives of the Basic Center Program are to: 1) Alleviate problems of runaway and homeless youth; 2) reunite youth with their families and encourage the resolution of intrafamily problems through counseling and other services; 3) strengthen family relationships and encourage stable living conditions for youth; and 4) help youth decide upon constructive courses of action.
- Transitional Living for Homeless Youth
- Education and Prevention Grants to Reduce Sexual Abuse of Runaway, Homeless and Street Youth
- Chafee Foster Care Independence Program
Examples of Funded Projects
Funded projects include local centers for runaway and homeless youth, Youth Development State Collaboration Programs, Training and Technical Assistance grants, and a toll-free National Communications System.
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, 347 grants were awarded. It is anticipated that 365 grants will be awarded in fiscal year 2008 and 356 in fiscal year 2009.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Each Basic Center program is required to provide outreach to runaway and homeless youth; temporary shelter for up to fifteen (15) days; food; clothing; individual, group and family counseling; aftercare and referrals, as appropriate.
Basic Center programs are required to provide their services in residential settings for at no more than twenty (20) youth unless a state or local law or regulation requires a higher maximum to comply with licensure requirments for facilities serving child and youth.
Some programs also provide part or all of their shelter services through host homes (usually private homes under contract to the centers), with counseling and referrals being provided from a central location.
Basic Center programs offer shelter to youth who are less than 18 years of age and who are at risk of separation from their family.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
States, localities, private entities, and coordinated networks of such entities are eligible to apply for a Basic Center Program grant unless they are part of the law enforcement structure or the juvenile justice system.
Federally recognized Indian organizations are also eligible to apply for grants as private, non-profit agencies.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Runaway and homeless youth and their families are the beneficiaries.
Credentials/Documentation
Nonprofit organizations must submit proof of nonprofit status. Applicable costs and administrative procedures will be determined in accordance with Parts 74 and 92 of Title 45 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
Consultation or assistance is available from the Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB), Administration for Children and Families, Department of Health and Human Services.
The standard application forms furnished by DHHS and required by OMB Circular No.
A-102 must be used for this program.
This program is eligible for coverage under E.O.
12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the Single Point of Contact (SPOC) in his or her State for more information on the process.
(NOTE: State/territory participation in the intergovernmental review process does not signify applicant eligibility for financial assistance under a program.
A potential applicant must meet the eligibility requirements of the program for which it is applying prior to submitting an application to its SPOC).
Application Procedures
Application for Federal Assistance, Standard Form 424 must be submitted. Specific instructions are published via the Internet under the Form section at the following website address: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants.
Award Procedures
All applications are reviewed by a panel of nonfederal experts which assigns scores according to the published criteria. The panel's scores are factored into the recommendations for funding. Scores and recommendations are reviewed by the Associate Commissioner of the Family and Youth Services Bureau, who makes recommendations to the ACYF Commissioner, who makes the final funding decisions.
Deadlines
As specified in the announcement or application instructions.
Authorization
Runaway, Homeless, and Missing Children Protection Act of 2003, Public Law 108-96 under Part A.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
From 60 to 90 days.
Appeals
None.
Renewals
Awards are generally made for 3-year project periods; funding for the second and third year is dependent upon satisfactory performance and availability of funds.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Federal share of grant is up to 90 percent. The nonfederal share may be in cash or in-kind contributions. The statute contains a formula for allocation of funds by State. It is based on the population of each State under age 18 as a proportion of the current national population under age 18.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Grants are awarded competitively for project periods of up to 3 years.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Financial and program reports are due semiannually.
A final report is due 90 days after conclusion of project period.
Audits
Audits are conducted in accordance with the requirements in 45 CFR 74 and 92.
Records
All financial records are to be maintained 3 years after termination of the project or until audit is completed, whichever occurs first.
Financial Information
Account Identification
75-1536-0-1-506.
Obigations
(Grants) FY 07 $48,298,000; FY 08 $52,860,000; and FY 09 est $52,860,000. (Contracts) FY 07 $903,000; FY 08 $5,081,000; and FY 09 est $5,071,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
$100,000 to $200,000 per budget period; $128,000.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
Contact Headquarters Office listed below for available literature. You may also get information on the Family and Youth Services Bureau website at the following address http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/fysb under the "Policy and Legislative Documents" link. Information is also available through the National Clearinghouse on Families and Youth, P.O. Box 13505, Silver Spring, MD 20911-3505. Telephone: (301) 608-8098. Fax: (301) 608-8721. The National Clearinghouse on Families and Youth website address is www.ncfy.com.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
Contact: Administration for Children and Families, Regional Offices, Family and Youth Services Bureau (See Appendix IV of this Catalog for the addresses of the Regional Offices.)
Headquarters Office
Acting Associate Commissioner, Family and Youth Services Bureau, Administration for Children and Families, Department of Health and Human Services, 1250 Maryland Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC 20447. Contact: Curtis Porter. Telephone: (202) 205-8306. Use the same number for FTS.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
An assessment is made on the basis of the degree to which: (1) The likelihood that the proposal will provide necessary services including shelter, counseling, and aftercare to runaway and other homeless youth and their families; (2) reasonableness of cost of these services; and (3) qualifications of staff. Applications will be evaluated based upon the criteria published in the Funding Opportunity Announcement located on the following website address: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants.
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