FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION
P URPOSE
On March 23, 2010, the President signed into law the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (Affordable Care Act or ACA) (P.L 111-148)
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) introduces transformative legislation aimed at providing quality, affordable health care for all Americans while reducing costs and enhancing health care quality A key provision is the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program, which addresses the unique needs of at-risk children and families This initiative fosters collaboration among federal, state, and community entities to improve health and developmental outcomes through evidence-based home visiting programs The allocated funds ensure effective coordination and delivery of essential services, including health care, early learning, and family support, ultimately contributing to the establishment of comprehensive early childhood systems for pregnant women, parents, and children from birth to age eight.
The ACA Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program aims to enhance Title V programs, improve service coordination for at-risk communities, and deliver comprehensive services to boost family outcomes At-risk communities will be identified through a statewide needs assessment The program, supported by HRSA and the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), seeks to establish a coordinated early childhood home visiting system in every state, ensuring the infrastructure and support necessary for high-quality, evidence-based practices.
The program empowers eligible organizations to implement evidence-based home visiting services aimed at enhancing maternal and prenatal health, as well as infant and child health and development It focuses on increasing school readiness, reducing child maltreatment, and improving parenting skills related to child development outcomes Additionally, the initiative seeks to elevate family socio-economic status, foster better coordination of referrals to community resources, and decrease incidents of crime and domestic violence.
The program mandates participating States to implement evidence-based home visiting models, fostering collaboration between States and the Federal government to enhance proven programs and expand the existing evidence base It encourages ongoing experimentation with both new and existing models, enabling policymakers and practitioners to gain refined insights into the most effective approaches, their applicability to various target populations, and the comparative costs and benefits of different methodologies.
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is set to release proposed evidence-related criteria for public comment via the Federal Register These criteria will stem from a comprehensive study of research evidence on home visiting programs, offering States an accessible resource detailing various models and their associated effectiveness.
To access FY 2010 ACA Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program funding, states must complete a three-step process First, they need to submit an application that outlines a needs assessment plan and a strategy for program development in alignment with legislative criteria The second step involves submitting the actual needs assessment, followed by the third step, which requires an updated plan that addresses the identified needs This final submission must include a detailed description and justification of the proposed program design, demonstrating how it meets evidence-based criteria and outlining the state's strategy for effective implementation and fidelity to the selected models.
Please note that a complete needs assessment that meets the requirements outlined in section 511(b)(1-2) of the Act is required of every State as a condition of receiving payment of FY
2011 Title V Block Grant funds, regardless of whether the State intends to apply for a grant to provide home visiting services
To accomplish these steps, two other funding opportunity announcements (FOA) will be issued in addition to this initial funding announcement These are described below
Initial FOA published Date of publication
State application for funding opportunity due Within 30 days
Full Needs Assessment FOA published Late June 2010
FY 2010 funds awarded to States (with restrictions) Mid-July 2010
FOA published for Updated State Plan
(including evidence-based criteria) Mid-August 2010
State Needs Assessment due September 1, 2010
Updated State Plan due Early FY 2011
1) Funding Opportunity Announcement for Needs Assessment
The initial Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) outlines the process for States to apply for 2010 funding, detailing steps for assessing current data availability for the needs assessment, identifying additional information needed, outlining the overall approach to conducting the needs assessment, and ensuring compliance with the Affordable Care Act (ACA) requirements for Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting funding.
A summary of the data elements that must be collected as part of the full needs assessment (see Specific Requirements for Initial Application below),
This article outlines the process for evaluating data sources available to your State for assessing at-risk communities, focusing on the quality and capacity of current home visiting services It highlights potential challenges in gathering this information and identifies anticipated needs for technical assistance to address these obstacles effectively.
Information required for a successful funding application.
Approval of this application will enable the allocation of FY 2010 funding for your State under the ACA Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program, with specific restrictions Only $500,000 of the State’s total allocation will be unrestricted, and the remaining funds will be unavailable until the State submits an approved needs assessment and Updated State Plan for the home visiting program The unrestricted funds can be utilized for planning or implementation activities related to establishing early childhood home visiting programs.
2) Full Needs Assessment Funding Opportunity Announcement
(FOA published Late June 2010, State response due September 1, 2010)
Section 511(b) of Title V, amended by the ACA, mandates a separate statewide needs assessment distinct from the one required for the MCH Services Block Grant under section 505(a) This assessment must align with the needs evaluations from the Title V MCH Block Grant program, the communitywide strategic planning as per section 640(g)(1)(C) of the Head Start Act, and the inventory of unmet needs and community-based prevention programs aimed at child abuse and neglect, as stipulated in section 205(3) of Title II of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA).
1) Identify communities with concentrations of premature birth, low-birth weight infants, and infant mortality, including infant death due to neglect, or other indicators of at-risk prenatal, maternal, newborn, or child health; poverty; crime; domestic violence; high rates of high-school drop-outs; substance abuse; unemployment; or child maltreatment
2) Identify the quality and capacity of existing programs or initiatives for early childhood home visiting in the State, including the number and types of individuals and families who are receiving services under such programs or initiatives; the gaps in early childhood home visiting in the State; and the extent to which such programs or initiatives are meeting the needs of eligible families.
3) Discuss the State’s capacity for providing substance abuse treatment and counseling services to individuals and families in need of such treatment or services.
The second FOA will provide full specifications for conducting a collaborative needs assessment in your State, including templates and instructions for reporting:
Data identifying communities at risk,
The quality and capacity of existing programs for early childhood home visiting, and
To receive payment for your State's FY 2011 allotment under the Title V Block Grant, it is essential to submit a comprehensive needs assessment that fulfills the criteria detailed in section 511(b)(1-2) of the Act to the Secretary.
3) Funding Opportunity Announcement for Updated State Plan and for a State ACA Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program Grant, including Evidence-Based Criteria for Model Selection
(FOA published Mid-August 2010, State response due early FY 2011)
The third FOA will provide instructions for submitting an Updated State Plan for responding to the results of the needs assessment This FOA will specify:
Requirements for reporting on the State’s strategy for addressing service gaps identified as part of the needs assessment, and
To qualify for funding under this grant program, States must provide evidence of the effectiveness of their home visiting models by including specific criteria outlined by HHS in their applications This includes demonstrating how their programs meet established evidence standards and supplying any additional information required for grant funding for FY 2010.
When this third submission has been approved by the Secretary, the remainder of funds obligated under this program for FY 2010 will be available to be drawn down.
Before the release of the third Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will solicit public feedback on the proposed criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of home visiting program models The finalized criteria will be included in the third FOA, and states must ensure their updated home visiting program grant plans propose models that align with these established criteria.
B ACKGROUND
HRSA and ACF advocate for home visiting as a key component of a comprehensive early childhood system that enhances maternal, infant, and early childhood health and development, grounded in robust research evidence Acknowledging that effective early childhood systems extend beyond individual agencies, HRSA and ACF are collaborating with federal partners and are eager to work with states and communities to develop high-quality, coordinated home visiting programs for at-risk families They recognize the longstanding importance of inter-agency coordination in state and local initiatives and will continue to promote collaborative efforts, emphasizing that such partnerships are vital for the success of home visiting and early childhood systems.
HRSA and ACF assert that this legislation presents a unique opportunity for collaboration among Federal, State, and local agencies to enhance the health and well-being of vulnerable populations By framing child development within the life course and socio-ecological contexts, the initiative addresses the contributors to poor health outcomes and persistent inequalities faced by children and families The socio-ecological framework highlights the interconnectedness of children, families, communities, and society, illustrating how these systems interact to influence risk and protective factors affecting health and social outcomes.
The life course development and socio-ecological frameworks emphasize the significance of timely positive interventions during crucial developmental phases These frameworks focus on addressing social and environmental factors essential for enhancing outcomes and minimizing disparities Optimal interventions should ideally commence prior to birth and continue throughout an individual's life, impacting multiple generations.
High-quality home visiting programs are essential for enhancing life course development within a comprehensive early childhood system that considers the unique contexts of children and families These evidence-based services aim to address the diverse needs of at-risk families, focusing on child health, mental health, welfare, and education Ultimately, the goal is to ensure that all individuals can achieve their full potential for health and well-being.
AWARD INFORMATION
T YPE OF A WARD
Funding will be provided in the form of a grant.
S UMMARY OF F UNDING
This program will provide funding during Federal fiscal years 2010 - 2014 This FOA only addresses funds available to States and territories in Federal Fiscal Year 2010 Approximately
In fiscal year 2010, $90 million is anticipated to fund 56 grants, with the allocated funds available for a 27-month budget and project period, allowing states to utilize the resources until the end of Federal FY 2012.
A separate FOA for funding available to Indian Tribes, consortia of Indian Tribes, Tribal
Organizations and Urban Indian Organizations will be announced at another time.
In FY 2010, funds will be allocated to States based on a formula that includes a base allocation of $500,000 for each State, along with additional funds reflecting any existing financial support provided to that State or its entities under the Supporting Evidence-Based Home Visiting program.
The EBHV Program, managed by the Children’s Bureau within the Administration for Children and Families, allocates funding based on the number of children in families living at or below 100% of the Federal poverty level in each State, compared to national figures A detailed Table of the Estimated Award Amount for each State is provided in Appendix B It is important to note that applicants cannot request more than the specified funding limit for their respective State or territory.
Upon receiving an approvable application, the grant award notice for fund allocation will be limited, and funds cannot be spent until the State submits an acceptable needs assessment and Updated State Plan for the home visiting program The unrestricted funds can be utilized for planning or implementation activities related to the development of early childhood home visiting programs.
HRSA and ACF are dedicated to providing ongoing funding to all eligible States and territories through a formula grant over the five-year program period, aimed at enhancing the capacity for high-quality, evidence-based home visiting programs nationwide All program funds for FY 2010 will be allocated according to this formula To promote outstanding programs, HHS intends to distribute additional funds based on each State's capacity and commitment to improving child outcomes, as mandated by the statute, through the faithful implementation of high-quality, evidence-based home visiting models.
Continued funding for the Home Visiting Program after the first year relies on the availability of appropriated funds in future fiscal years, the grantee's satisfactory performance, and the determination that ongoing support aligns with the interests of the Federal government.
According to section 511(h)(2)(B) of Title V, as amended by the Affordable Care Act (ACA), if a state fails to submit an approvable application by the start of FY 2012, non-profit organizations may be eligible to compete for funding to establish a statewide evidence-based home visiting program.
ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION
E LIGIBLE A PPLICANTS
Eligibility for funding is limited to a single application from each State, the District of
The Governor has the authority to designate the entity responsible for applying for and managing home visiting program funds in Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa.
The initial application must demonstrate that the designated entity or entities have strong organizational capacity to implement the activities involved in carrying out an evidence-based home visiting program.
The ideal entities chosen to manage program funds should possess experience in administering early childhood home visiting programs and collaborating with various stakeholders to effectively plan, implement, and sustain initiatives for children and families Additionally, these entities must have the capability to evaluate the evidence criteria set by HHS and ensure compliance with the program's evidence-based requirements.
Regardless of the entity or entities designated by the Governor, this application must contain the concurrence (through letters of support) of the:
Director of the State’s Title V agency;
Director of the State’s agency for Title II of CAPTA;
Director of the State’s Head Start State Collaboration Office.
To integrate home visiting into a comprehensive early childhood service framework, it is essential to align this initiative with the strategic plan created by the State Advisory Council under the Head Start Act Coordination should also involve collaboration with the State’s child care, education, and child welfare agencies, particularly if the latter is not managing the Title II of CAPTA program.
C OST S HARING /M ATCHING
There is no cost sharing or match for this program.
O THER
Any application that fails to satisfy the deadline requirements referenced in Section IV.3 will be considered non-responsive and will not be considered for funding under this announcement.
Grants awarded to eligible entities for early childhood home visitation programs must supplement existing funding rather than replace it Grantees are required to maintain their non-Federal funding, specifically State General Funds, at a level that is equal to or greater than the expenditures for these activities as of March 23, 2010, the date of the legislation's enactment.
APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION
A DDRESS TO R EQUEST A PPLICATION P ACKAGE
Application Materials and Required Electronic Submission Information
HRSA requires applicants for this funding opportunity to apply electronically through
All applicants are required to submit their applications through Grants.gov, unless they receive prior written exemption from the Director of HRSA’s Division of Grants Policy or an authorized representative To obtain this exemption, applicants must submit a written request.
If you are unable to submit electronically through the Grants.gov portal, please email DGPWaivers@hrsa.gov with an explanation of your technological difficulties Be sure to include the HRSA Announcement Number for which you are requesting assistance, along with your name, address, and telephone number.
To ensure your justification request is complete, include the organization name, the Project Director's contact information, and any relevant tracking numbers or anecdotes from Grants.gov or the HRSA Call Center Remember, HRSA and its Grants Application Center (GAC) will only accept paper applications if prior written approval has been granted.
Refer to Appendix A for detailed application and submission instructions Pay particular attention to Sections 2 and 5 that provide detailed information on the application and submission process.
Applicants are required to submit their proposals following the guidelines outlined in Appendix A, while also utilizing the SF-424 Application Forms, which provide essential information and instructions for grant applications, including proposal narratives and budgets These forms can be accessed from the designated websites.
(1) Downloading from www.grants.gov
(2) Contacting the HRSA Grants Application Center at:
Instructions for preparing portions of the application that must accompany the SF-424 that appears in the “Application Format” section below.
C ONTENT AND F ORM OF A PPLICATION S UBMISSION
The total size of all uploaded files may not exceed the equivalent of 25 pages when printed by
HRSA The total size may not exceed 10 MB This 25-page limit includes the abstract, project and budget narratives, attachments, and letters of commitment and support
Standard forms are NOT included in the page limit
Applications exceeding the specified limits of approximately 10 MB or 25 printed pages will be classified as non-compliant Consequently, all non-compliant applications will be ineligible for funding consideration.
Applications for funding must consist of the following documents in the following order:
SF-424 Non Construction – Table of Contents
To ensure your application is printed efficiently and consistently for review, it is essential to adhere to the instructions outlined in this section.
Failure to adhere to the provided instructions can result in your application being deemed non-compliant Non-compliant applications will not be considered, and affected applicants will receive notification regarding their status.
For electronic submissions, applicants must sequentially number the pages of each attachment, starting at page 1 for every new attachment It is important to avoid numbering pages of standard OMB-approved forms.
For electronic submissions, applicants are not required to include a table of contents, as HRSA will generate one automatically in the specified order.
When submitting an electronic attachment that contains multiple pages, it is essential to include a dedicated table of contents page for that attachment Importantly, this table of contents will not be included in the overall page count limit.
Type Instruction HRSA/Program Guidelines
Assistance (SF-424) Form Pages 1, 2 & 3 of the SF-424 face page Not counted in the page limit
Project Summary/Abstract Attachment Can be uploaded on page 2 of SF-424 - Box 15 Required attachment Counted in the page limit.
Reference guidance for detailed instructions Provide table of contents specific to this document only as the first page
District Attachment should be uploaded on page 2 of the SF-424 form in Box 16, as required by HRSA, and this attachment does not contribute to the overall page limit Additionally, the HHS Checklist, specifically the PHS-5161 Form, must include pages 1 and 2; these pages are also exempt from the page limit.
Form Form Supports the upload of Project Narrative document Not counted in the page limit
Project Narrative Attachment Can be uploaded in Project Narrative Attachment form Required attachment Counted in the page limit.
Reference guidance for detailed instructions Provide table of contents specific to this document only as the first page
Non-Construction Programs Form Page 1 & 2 to supports structured budget for the request of Non construction related funds Not counted in the page limit
Type Instruction HRSA/Program Guidelines
Construction Programs Form Supports assurances for non construction programs Not counted in the page limit
Activities (SF-LLL) Form Supports structured data for lobbying activities Not counted in the page limit
The Other Attachments Form allows for the submission of up to 15 numbered attachments, which are essential for your application While the form itself consists solely of the attachment list, it does not contribute to the overall page limit However, the attachments labeled 1-15 must be uploaded in accordance with the specified sequence outlined in the attachment table and will be included in the page limit.
To maintain consistency in organizing and printing attachments, adhere to the specified order outlined below Please be aware that these instructions may differ depending on the program used, and all attachments will contribute to the overall page limit.
Additional supporting documents may be submitted using the designated rows, but it is important not to utilize rows that are specifically assigned for particular purposes outlined in the program guidance.
When merging similar documents into a single file, it's essential to include a table of contents specific to the attachment, especially when multiple pages are involved This table of contents will help organize the document effectively and will not be included in the overall page limit.
Attachment Number Attachment Description (Program Guidelines)
Attachment 1 Job descriptions for key personnel.
Attachment 2 Letters of support signed by Director of the State’s Title V agency; Director of the State’s agency for
Title II of CAPTA; Director of the State’s Single State Agency for Substance Abuse Services; and the Director of the State’s Head Start State Collaboration Office (eligibility requirement)
Attachment 3 Letters of Agreement and/or Description of Proposed/Existing Contracts.
Attachment 5 Other Relevant Documents not specified elsewhere in this Table of Contents.
Note the following specific information related to your submission. i Application Face Page
To apply, utilize Application Form SF-424 included in the application package, following the instructions outlined within the form For details related to the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance, refer to Catalog Number 93.110.
All applicant organizations are required to have a Data Universal Numbering System
To apply for a Federal Government grant, you need a DUNS number, which is a unique nine-character identification number issued by Dun and Bradstreet Obtaining a DUNS number is free of charge, and you can find more information on how to get one by visiting http://www.dnb.com or calling 1-866-705-
5711 Please include the DUNS number in item 8c on the application face page
Applications will not be reviewed without a DUNS number Note: a missing or incorrect DUNS number is the primary reasons for an application to be “Rejected for Errors” by Grants.gov.
To engage in electronic business with the Federal Government, the applicant organization must register annually with the Central Contractor Registry (CCR) For detailed information on the registration process, visit http://www.ccr.gov.
The application must follow the order outlined in the previously provided Table of Contents For electronic submissions, a Table of Contents is not required as it will be automatically generated by the system Additionally, please note that the Table of Contents is not included in the page limit for the application.
Complete the HHS Checklist Form PHS 5161-1 provided with the application package iv Budget
S UBMISSION D ATES AND T IMES
Applications for this grant announcement must be submitted by July 9, 2010, at 8:00 P.M ET To meet the deadline, applications must be submitted to and validated by Grants.gov by this date For comprehensive submission requirements, please refer to Appendix A.
The Chief Grants Management Officer (CGMO) or a designated authority can extend published deadlines in response to justifiable circumstances, including natural disasters like floods or hurricanes, as well as significant service disruptions such as extended blackouts The official in charge will assess and identify the impacted geographical areas.
Applications which do not meet the criteria above are considered late applications and will not be considered under this funding opportunity announcement.
I NTERGOVERNMENTAL R EVIEW
The ACA Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program is not a program subject to the provisions of Executive Order 12372, as implemented by 45 CFR 100.
F UNDING R ESTRICTIONS
Upon receiving an approvable application, a grant award notice for the State's allocation will be processed, with $500,000 remaining unrestricted The restricted funds will not be accessible until the State submits an approvable needs assessment and an updated State Plan for the home visiting program The unrestricted funds can be utilized for planning or implementing early childhood home visiting programs.
O THER S UBMISSION R EQUIREMENTS
HRSA will primarily accept grant applications electronically through Grants.gov, moving away from paper submissions except in rare cases Applicants must utilize the Grants.gov site to download the application package, complete it offline, and then upload their submissions.
To ensure your organization can submit applications, it is crucial to register on Grants.gov and understand the application process Failure to complete the registration may prevent you from applying, and since this process can take up to one month, it's important to start immediately.
To be able to successfully register in Grants.gov, it is necessary that you complete all of the following required actions:
• Obtain an organizational Data Universal Number System (DUNS) number
• Register the organization with Central Contractor Registry (CCR)
• Identify the organization’s E-Business Point of Contact (E-Biz POC)
• Confirm the organization’s CCR “Marketing Partner ID Number (MPIN)” password
• Register an Authorized Organization Representative (AOR)
• Obtain a username and password from the Grants.gov Credential Provider
For comprehensive instructions on registration, tutorials, and FAQs, visit the Grants.gov website at www.grants.gov For additional assistance, you can contact the Grants.gov help desk via email at support@grants.gov or reach them by phone at 1-800-518-4726, available 24/7, excluding Federal holidays.
Formal submission of the electronic application occurs when your organization’s Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) successfully transmits the application through Grants.gov, and it has been validated.
Grants.gov on or before the deadline date and time.
APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION
R EVIEW C RITERIA
The FY 2010 formula-based grant program allocates funds to States through a three-part formula: each State receives a base allocation of $500,000, additional funds based on existing support from the Supporting Evidence Based Home Visiting (EBHV) Program, and an amount reflecting the proportion of children in families at or below 100% of the Federal poverty level in the State compared to the national figure For detailed funding estimates per State, please refer to Appendix B.
R EVIEW AND S ELECTION P ROCESS
All applications will undergo a thorough internal review by grants management and program staff to assess eligibility, completeness, accuracy, and compliance with the outlined requirements Key areas of focus will include the designated entity's capacity to manage an evidence-based home visiting program under the ACA, the clarity and feasibility of the State’s needs assessment approach, and adherence to specific application requirements Additionally, the review will evaluate the State’s strategy for coordination among stakeholders, the identification of anticipated technical assistance needs, and a clear statement requesting funding for the home visiting program.
A NTICIPATED A NNOUNCEMENT AND A WARD D ATES
The anticipated date of award is July 15, 2010.
AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION
A WARD N OTICES
All applicants will be notified in writing about the results of the internal review process, which will include a summary of the expert committee's evaluation of the application's strengths and weaknesses, as well as its funding status Before funding can be approved, applicants may need to satisfactorily address any conditions associated with their application It is important to note that notification letters do not grant permission to commence project activities.
The Notice of Award outlines the granted funds, terms and conditions of the grant, effective date, initial budget period for support, and the overall project period for anticipated assistance, and it is signed by the Grants official.
Management Officer, it is sent to the applicant agency’s Authorized Representative, and reflects the only authorizing document It will be sent on the start date of July 15, 2010.
A DMINISTRATIVE AND N ATIONAL P OLICY R EQUIREMENTS
Successful applicants must comply with the administrative requirements outlined in 45 CFR Part
74 (non-governmental) or 45 CFR Part 92 (governmental), as appropriate.
HRSA grant awards must comply with the HHS Grants Policy Statement (HHS GPS), which varies based on the recipient type and the grant's purpose Relevant requirements from Parts I and II of the HHS GPS may also apply The HHS GPS can be accessed at [HRSA Grants](http://www.hrsa.gov/grants/) The general terms and conditions outlined in the HHS GPS are applicable unless overridden by specific statutory, regulatory, or award-related requirements stated in the Notice of Grant Award.
HRSA is dedicated to providing quality healthcare access for everyone, emphasizing the importance of services that are delivered by skilled providers who respect the language, culture, and diversity of the populations they serve Quality healthcare also involves using data collection tools that align with culturally competent and linguistically appropriate standards For more guidance, please refer to the National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services in Health Care, available at http://www.omhrc.gov/CLAS.
Awards granted under this guidance must adhere to the stipulations of Section 106 (g) of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, as amended (22 U.S.C 7104) For complete details on the award term, please visit http://www.hrsa.gov/grants/trafficking.htm If you experience difficulties accessing the link, reach out to the designated Grants Management Specialist for a copy of the Term.
R EPORTING
The successful applicant under this guidance must comply with the following reporting and review activities: a Audit Requirements
Comply with audit requirements of Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-
133 Information on the scope, frequency, and other aspects of the audits can be found on the Internet at www.whitehouse.gov/omb/circulars. b Payment Management Requirements
To ensure continued access to grant funds, submit the quarterly electronic Federal Financial Report (FFR) Cash Transaction Report through the Payment Management System within 30 days after each quarter ends This report details cash expenditures against authorized grant funds For more information, visit www.dpm.psc.gov.
1) Submit a Financial Report A financial status report is required within 90 days of the end of each budget period The report is an accounting of expenditures under the project that year It must be submitted on-line by grantees in the HRSA Electronic Handbooks system at https://grants.hrsa.gov/webexternal/home.asp More specific information will be included in the award notice.
2) Other Reports The project’s final report and any products developed through the grant are to be provided to the Division of Grants Management Operations within 90 days of the end of the project period The final report must be submitted on-line by grantees in the HRSA Electronic Handbooks system at https://grants.hrsa.gov/webexternal/home.asp. The Division of Grants Management Operations will forward these materials to the Project Officer The Project Officer will provide these final reports and products to the MCH Library for public access.
3) Project Period End Performance Reporting
Successful applicants who receive funding must complete the program-specific data forms electronically within 90 days after the project's conclusion This includes submitting expenditure data for the final project year, a project abstract, a summary of the cooperative agreement, and final performance measure indicators and scores.
AGENCY CONTACTS
Applicants may obtain additional information regarding business, administrative, or fiscal issues related to this grant announcement by contacting:
HRSA Division of Grants Management Operations, OFAM
Additional information related to the overall program issues may be obtained by contacting:
Health Resources and Services Administration
Maternal and Child Health Bureau
Rockville MD 20857 homevisiting@hhs.gov
Administration for Children and Families.
901 D Street SW, 6 th Floor West
Washington, DC 20447 homevisiting@hhs.gov
Applicants/Grantees may need assistance when working online to submit their application forms electronically For assistance with submitting the application in Grants.gov, contact Grants.gov
Contact Center, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, excluding Federal holidays:
Applicants and grantees may require support when submitting their information online via HRSA’s Electronic Handbooks (EHBs) For help with completing the submission process in HRSA’s EHBs, please reach out to the HRSA Call Center for assistance.
TIPS FOR WRITING A STRONG APPLICATION
A concise resource offering tips for writing proposals for HHS grants and cooperative agreements can be accessed online at: http://www.hhs.gov/asrt/og/grantinformation/apptips.html.
Appendix A: HRSA’s Electronic Submission Guide
1 1 INTRODUCTION 24 INTRODUCTION 1.1 1.1 D D OCUMENT OCUMENT P P URPOSE URPOSE AND AND S S COPE COPE 24 1.2 1.2 D D OCUMENT OCUMENT O O RGANIZATION RGANIZATION AND AND V V ERSION ERSION C C ONTROL ONTROL 24
2.1 2.1 N N EW EW C C OMPETING OMPETING A A PPLICATIONS PPLICATIONS (E (E NTIRE NTIRE S S UBMISSION UBMISSION T T HROUGH HROUGH G G RANTS RANTS GOV GOV ; ; NO NO
VERIFICATION REQUIRED REQUIRED WITHIN WITHIN HRSA EHB HRSA EHB S S ) ) 25 2.2 2.2 N N EW EW C C OMPETING OMPETING , C , C OMPETING OMPETING C C ONTINUATION ONTINUATION , , AND AND C C OMPETING OMPETING S S UPPLEMENT UPPLEMENT
A A PPLICATIONS PPLICATIONS (S (S UBMITTED UBMITTED U U SING SING B B OTH OTH G G RANTS RANTS GOV GOV AND AND HRSA EHB HRSA EHB S S ; ; VERIFICATION VERIFICATION
REQUIRED WITHIN WITHIN HRSA EHB HRSA EHB S S ) 26 ) 2.3 2.3 N N ONCOMPETING ONCOMPETING C C ONTINUATION ONTINUATION A A PPLICATION PPLICATION 26
To successfully apply for grants, it is essential for applicant and grantee organizations to register with Grants.gov This registration process is a crucial first step in accessing federal funding opportunities.
( ( IF IF NOT NOT ALREADY ALREADY REGISTERED REGISTERED ) 27 ) 3.2 3.2 APPLY - A APPLY - A PPLY PPLY THROUGH THROUGH G G RANTS RANTS GOV GOV 29
4 4 VALIDATING AND/OR COMPLETING AN APPLICATION IN THE HRSA VALIDATING AND/OR COMPLETING AN APPLICATION IN THE HRSA
To initiate the process, both the Project Director and the Authorizing Official must register with the HRSA EHBs if they have not already done so It is essential to verify the status of the application to ensure it is current and active Additionally, validating the Grants.gov application within the HRSA EHBs is a critical step to ensure compliance and readiness for funding opportunities.
4.4 M M ANAGE ANAGE A A CCESS CCESS TO TO THE THE A A PPLICATION PPLICATION 34 4.5 4.5 C C HECK HECK V V ALIDATION ALIDATION E E RRORS RRORS 34 4.6
4.6 F F IX IX E E RRORS RRORS AND AND C C OMPLETE OMPLETE A A PPLICATION PPLICATION 34 4.7
4.7 S S UBMIT UBMIT A A PPLICATION PPLICATION IN IN HRSA EHB HRSA EHB S S 35 5
5 GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR APPLICATION SUBMISSION 35 GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR APPLICATION SUBMISSION 5.1
5.1 N N ARRATIVE ARRATIVE A A TTACHMENT TTACHMENT G G UIDELINES UIDELINES 36 5.2
5.2 A A PPLICATION PPLICATION C C ONTENT ONTENT O O RDER RDER (T (T ABLE ABLE OF OF C C ONTENTS ONTENTS ) 37 ) 5.3
6 CUSTOMER SUPPORT INFORMATION 37 CUSTOMER SUPPORT INFORMATION 6.1
6.1 G G RANTS RANTS GOV GOV C C USTOMER USTOMER S S UPPORT UPPORT 37 6.2 6.2 HRSA C HRSA C ALL ALL C C ENTER ENTER 38 6.3
6.3 HRSA P HRSA P ROGRAM ROGRAM S S UPPORT UPPORT 38
7 7 FAQS 38 FAQS 7.1 7.1 S S OFTWARE OFTWARE 38 7.2 7.2 A A PPLICATION PPLICATION R R ECEIPT ECEIPT 42 7.3 7.3 A A PPLICATION PPLICATION S S UBMISSION UBMISSION 45 7.4 7.4 G G RANTS RANTS GOV GOV 45
1.1.1.1 Document Purpose and ScopeDocument Purpose and Scope
This document serves as a comprehensive guide for applicants and grantees to electronically submit new competing, competing continuation, competing supplements, and most noncompeting continuation applications to HRSA via Grants.gov and HRSA EHBs, where applicable All applicants are required to follow this submission method It will be updated periodically to ensure it remains the definitive source of information regarding electronic grant submission processes, but it does not substitute for the program guidance outlined in funding opportunity announcements.
To view, complete, and submit an application package, all applicants must download and use Adobe Reader version 8.1.1 or a later version.
Adobe Reader version 8.1.1 or later version to successfully submit an application.
1.2.1.2 Document Organization and Version ControlDocument Organization and Version Control
This document contains SEVEN (7) sections Following is the summary:
1 Introduction Describes the document’s purpose and scope.
(no verification required within HRSA EHBs)
Provides detailed instructions to applicant organizations and institutions submitting a new competing application using Grants.gov that does not require HRSA EHBs verification
Provides detailed instructions for those grantees submitting new competing, competing continuation, and competing supplement applications through Grants.gov and HRSA EHBs that require HRSA EHBs verification.
Provides detailed instructions to existing HRSA Grantees on submitting a noncompeting continuation application through Grants.gov and HRSA EHBs; verification required within EHBs.
3 Registering and Applying Provides detailed instructions to enable applicants/grantees through Grants.gov to register and apply electronically using Grants.gov in the submission of grant applications
Handbooks offer comprehensive instructions and essential guidance for registering individuals and organizations, verifying application statuses, validating applications on grants.gov within the EHB, managing application access, identifying and correcting validation errors, and successfully completing and submitting applications.
Application Submission Provides instructions and important policy guidance regarding application format requirements and submission
Information Provides contact information to address technical and programmatic questions.
Questions (FAQs) Provides answers to frequently asked questions by various categories
This document is under version control Please visit http://www.hrsa.gov/grants to retrieve the latest published version.
2.12.1 New Competing Applications (Entire Submission Through Grants.gov; no New Competing Applications (Entire Submission Through Grants.gov; no verification required within HRSA EHBs) verification required within HRSA EHBs)
To determine if verification in HRSA EHBs is necessary, consult the program guidance If verification is required, refer to Section 2.2 for further instructions If it is not required, you may proceed with the rest of this section.
Following is the process for submitting a New Competing Application through Grants.gov:
1 HRSA will post all New Competing announcements on Grants.gov (http://www.grants.gov)
2 Once the program guidance is available, applicants should search for the announcement in Grants.gov ‘Find Grant Opportunities.’
(http://www.grants.gov/applicants/find_grant_opportunities.jsp) or ‘Apply for Grants’ (http://www.grants.gov/Apply)
3 Download the application package and instructions from Grants.gov The program guidance is also part of the instructions that must be downloaded.
4 Save a copy of the application package on your computer and complete all the forms based on the instructions provided in the program guidance.
5 Submit the application package through Grants.gov (requires registration).
6 Track the status of your submitted application using Track My Status at Grants.gov until you receive email notifications that your application has been received and validated by
Grants.gov and received by HRSA.
2.2 New Competing, Competing Continuation, and Competing Supplement New Competing, Competing Continuation, and Competing Supplement
Applications (Submitted Using Both Grants.gov and HRSA EHBs; verification
Applications (Submitted Using Both Grants.gov and HRSA EHBs; verification required within HRSA EHBs) required within HRSA EHBs)
NOTE: You should review program guidance to determine if verification in HRSA NOTE: You should review program guidance to determine if verification in HRSA EHBs is required
EHBs are mandatory If verification is not needed, please refer to Section 2.1 above However, if verification is necessary, please continue reading this section for further details.
Following is the process for submitting a Competitive Application through Grants.gov with verification required within HRSA Electronic Handbooks (EHBs):
HRSA publishes all Competing Continuation and Competing Supplemental announcements on Grants.gov, usually at the start of the fiscal year, although program guidance may be released later New Competing applications requiring verification in EHBs are made available throughout the year For further details, please visit HRSA's official grants page.
When program guidance is released, applicants must look for the announcement on Grants.gov by selecting 'Apply for Grants' at [Grants.gov](http://www.grants.gov/Apply) It's important to note that only current grantees are eligible for Competing Continuation and Competing Supplemental funding, which means these specific announcements will not be listed under the 'Find Grant Opportunities' section on Grants.gov.
To begin the application process, download the application package and accompanying instructions from Grants.gov, ensuring to include the program guidance Remember to take note of the Announcement Number, as it will be necessary for subsequent steps.
4 Save a copy of the application package on your computer and complete all the standard forms based on the instructions provided in the program guidance.
5 Submit the application package through Grants.gov (requires registration) Note the
Grants.gov Tracking Number as it will be required later in the process.
6 Track the status of your submitted application using Track My Status at Grants.gov until you receive email notifications that your application has been received and validated by
Grants.gov and received by HRSA.
7 HRSA EHBs software pulls the application information into EHBs and validates the data
HRSA informs the Project Director, Authorizing Official (AO), Business Official (BO), and application point of contact (POC) via email to review the HRSA EHBs for validation results and to provide any necessary supplemental information for the competing continuation or supplemental application It is important to note the HRSA EHBs tracking number included in the email.
To validate the application in HRSA EHBs, a user from the grantee organization must provide three independent data elements: the Announcement Number, the Grants.gov Tracking Number, and the HRSA EHBs Tracking Number.
10 The AO verifies the pending application in HRSA EHBs, fixes any validation errors, and makes necessary corrections Supplemental forms are completed AO submits the application to HRSA
2.3.2.3.Noncompeting Continuation ApplicationNoncompeting Continuation Application
The following is the process for submitting a Noncompeting Continuation application through Grants.gov and HRSA EHBs; verification required within HRSA EHBs:
HRSA will notify the Project Director (PD) and authorizing official (AO) of the Noncompeting announcement number through email, as indicated on the latest Notice of Grant Award (NGA) This announcement number is essential for locating the funding opportunity when submitting applications in Grants.gov.
To locate the announcement or funding opportunity, visit Grants.gov and select ‘Apply for Grants.’ Note that since eligibility is restricted to current grantees, the announcement will not be listed under ‘Find Grant Opportunities’ on the site.
3 Download the application package and instructions from Grants.gov The program guidance is part of the instructions that must be downloaded.
4 Save a copy of the application package on your computer and complete all the forms based on the instructions provided in the program guidance.
5 Submit the application package through Grants.gov (requires registration).
6 Track the status of your submitted application using Track My Status at Grants.gov until you receive email notifications that your application has been received and validated by
Grants.gov and received by HRSA.
The HRSA Electronic Handbooks (EHBs) software efficiently consolidates and validates application information, ensuring data accuracy Following this process, HRSA notifies the Project Director (PD), Authorized Official (AO), Business Official (BO), and application Point of Contact (POC) via email to review the application for any validation errors Additionally, they may need to provide further information, such as performance measures, essential for processing the noncompeting continuation.
8 The PD logs into the HRSA EHBs to enter all additional information necessary to process the application The PD must also provide the AO submission rights for the application.
9 The AO verifies the application in HRSA EHBs, fixes any remaining validation errors, makes necessary corrections, and submits the application to HRSA (requires registration in EHBs).
3.3 Registering and Applying Through Grants.govRegistering and Applying Through Grants.gov