Grants and cooperative agreements; availability, etc.: Refugees and Cuban and Haitian entrants; interim financial assistance, medical assistance, social services, and case management; alternative projects,

[Federal Register: April 22, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 77)]

[Notices]

[Page 19793-19799]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr22ap99-88]

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families

Notice of Availability of Funding for Alternative Projects, Known as Wilson/Fish Projects, to Implement Alternative Means of Providing Interim Financial Assistance, Medical Assistance, Social Services, and Case Management to Refugees and Cuban and Haitian Entrants

AGENCY: Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), ACF, DHHS.

ACTION: Request for applications for alternative projects for the provision of refugee employment and other social services, interim financial and medical assistance, and case management for newly arriving and other eligible refugees. This notice replaces the notice published in the Federal Register of March 27, 1995 (60 FR 15766).

SUMMARY: The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) announces that competing applications will be accepted from public and private non- profit organizations under a standing announcement for Wilson/Fish projects which propose alternative approaches to serving refugees. The purpose of an alternative project is to provide integrated services and cash assistance to refugees in order to increase refugees' prospects for early employment and self-sufficiency, reduce their level of welfare dependence, enhance acculturation, and promote coordination among voluntary resettlement agencies and service providers.

Projects will be accepted under either of two categories: (1) Projects to establish or maintain a refugee program in a State where the State is not participating in the refugee program or is dropping out of the refugee program or a portion of the program; and (2) projects to provide an alternative to the existing system of assistance and services to refugees.

Funding is available to these projects under the ``Wilson/Fish'' authority.

DATES: This is a standing announcement applicable from the date of publication until canceled or modified by the Director of the Office of Refugee Resettlement. The Director will observe the following closing dates for applications: October 31 and March 31 of each year. The applicant has the option to select the preferred review cycle. Under Category One, if a State withdraws from the program, the Director may review an application

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outside of the proposed review cycle, if necessary.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Barbara R. Chesnik, Team Leader, Office of Refugee Resettlement, telephone (202) 401-4558, or e-mail: bchesnik@acf.dhhs.gov. You may address correspondence as follows: Administration for Children and Families (ACF), ORR/Division of Refugee Self-Sufficiency, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW, 6th Floor, Washington, DC 20447.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) is issuing this announcement for applications in two categories: (1) Projects to establish or maintain a refugee program in a State where the State does not fully participate in the refugee program; and (2) projects to provide an alternative to the existing system of assistance and services to refugees.

Category One of this announcement provides an opportunity for interested applicant(s) to continue the provision of refugee program services and assistance, including refugee cash and medical assistance, employment and other social services, targeted assistance, and preventive health services, in a State when the State elects to discontinue participation in the program or is not currently participating in the program. This category may also be used when a State elects to cease participation in all of the above components except for medical assistance and preventive health and where the Director, ORR, believes that continued resettlement in that State is in the best interests of the government and of refugees. A consortium of voluntary agencies, a lead voluntary agency, or another public or private non-profit agency may apply to administer and provide services and assistance to refugees in the State or local geographic area.

Category Two provides interested applicants an opportunity to implement alternative projects to promote refugee self-sufficiency, for example, (1) Where assistance and services for refugees receiving refugee cash assistance (RCA) and those receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) could be provided in a better coordinated, effective, and efficient manner; (2) where TANF eligible refugees may not have access to timely, culturally and linguistically compatible services or employment and training programs; (3) where the regulatory options for delivery of services and assistance to refugees do not present the best resettlement in that location and resettlement could be made more effective through the implementation of an alternative project; (4) where refugees, particularly in two-parent families, are in danger of becoming dependent upon welfare and using the full time period of assistance allowed under the TANF program in a State, thereby removing the ability of the family to access TANF as a safety net in the future, if needed; (5) where the continuity of services from the time of arrival until the attainment of self-sufficiency needs to be strengthened, or (6) where it is in the best interest of refugees to be resettled outside the welfare system. Under this category, applicants have considerable latitude to propose an alternative model for resettlement in a geographic area.

Applicants are expected to propose, at a minimum, a range of services and financial assistance generally comparable to those currently available to eligible refugees in the State. Applicants in Category One may propose to transfer and serve in the Wilson/Fish project the clients who have not completed their period of eligibility under the existing RCA program. Applicants in Category Two must propose an alternative project for refugees in one or more geographic areas and cover, at a minimum, all newly arriving refugees in a geographic area of the cash assistance type proposed, e.g., all refugees otherwise eligible for RCA and/or TANF (sometimes referred to as ``RCA-type'' or ``TANF-type'' refugees). We would not expect projects in either category to propose transferring to the Wilson/Fish project refugees who are already enrolled in the TANF program.

Services and assistance under these awards are intended to help refugees attain self-sufficiency within the period of support defined by 45 CFR 400.211. This period is currently 8 months after arrival. We expect that most projects funded will provide services and assistance to refugees for this period of time, as needed.

Wilson/Fish projects will no longer be required to be budget neutral. For further discussion, please see the section on funding availability of this announcement.

ORR will entertain proposals, subject to the availability of appropriated funds, to provide interim cash support to refugees who would otherwise be eligible for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, in addition to those refugees who would otherwise be eligible for the Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) program.

Consistent with section 412(e)(7)(B) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), refugees in projects funded under this announcement will be precluded from receiving cash assistance under the TANF program or the RCA program during the period of support provided under the Wilson/Fish project. If alternative medical assistance is included, participants will be precluded from receiving RMA or Medicaid during the period of support provided under the Wilson/Fish project.

Applications will be screened and evaluated as indicated in this program announcement. Awards will be contingent on the outcome of the competition and the availability of funds.

ORR encourages prospective applicants to consult with ORR while developing the application.

This Program Announcement consists of four parts:

Part I: Background--Program Purpose, Legislative Authority, Funding Availability, CFDA Number, Project and Budget Periods, Definition of Terms.

Part II: Wilson/Fish Program--Eligible Applicants, Purpose and Objectives, Use of Funds, Review Criteria.

Part III: The Review Process--Intergovernmental Review, Initial ORR Screening, Competitive Review.

Part IV: The Application--Application Development, Guidelines for Preparing a Project Description, Application Submission, Paperwork Reduction and Reporting.

Part I. Background

Program Purpose

Consistent with the legislative mandate provided in the Refugee Act of 1980, ORR program regulations define the parameters for resettlement services and assistance which we believe provide the best overall approach for assisting refugees to resettle and become self-sufficient. However, we acknowledge, as did Congress in passing the Wilson/Fish legislation, that opportunities should be available to public and private non-profit organizations to design different approaches to serving refugees in a particular geographic area. Since passage of the Wilson/Fish legislation in 1985, ORR has funded seven projects under a previous version of this announcement: Two public/private projects; two projects where a State discontinued participation in the program; two privately-administered projects; and one State-administered program.

The purpose of the announcement is to enable applicants to implement alternative projects under one of two categories in order to provide interim financial assistance, social services and case management to refugees in a

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manner that encourages self-sufficiency, reduces the likelihood of welfare dependency, speeds acculturation, and/or fosters greater coordination among resettlement agencies and services providers in a community. We are interested in projects which optimize all available resources--from the Federal government, the State, and the community-- to make the resettlement period as beneficial as possible. An integrated system of assistance and services is considered an essential characteristic of a Wilson/Fish project.

Although ORR has included the provision of medical assistance as an allowable activity under this announcement, we strongly believe that the best medical assistance option available in almost all circumstances is the existing State-administered program of refugee medical assistance or Medicaid. However, the option to provide medical assistance under this announcement would be available under two circumstances: (a) Primarily for Category One projects where a State chooses to discontinue participation in all areas of the refugee program, including the provision of refugee medical assistance; and (b) under Category Two, in the event that there are significant problems in the provision of medical assistance to refugees in a State and where an alternative private medical assistance plan or provider is available which is able to provide a better and a more timely range of services for refugees and at an affordable cost.

In the case where an alternative medical assistance system is approved, refugee participants would not be permitted to receive Medicaid or RMA during the period of support provided under the Wilson/ Fish project because they would be receiving comparable medical assistance.

Legislative Authority

In October, 1984, Congress amended the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide authority for the Secretary of Health and Human Services to implement alternative projects for refugees. This provision, known as the Wilson/Fish Amendment, (Pub. L. 98-473), provided:

(7)(A) The Secretary shall develop and implement alternative projects for refugees who have been in the United States less than thirty-six months, under which refugees are provided interim support, medical services, support services, and case management, as needed, in a manner that encourages self-sufficiency, reduces welfare dependency, and fosters greater coordination among the resettlement agencies and service providers.

(B) Refugees covered under such alternative projects shall be precluded from receiving cash or medical assistance under any other paragraph of this subsection or under title XIX or part A of title IV of the Social Security Act. * * * * *

(D) To the extent that the use of such funds is consistent with the purposes of such provisions, funds appropriated under section 414(a) of this Act, part A of title IV of the Social Security Act, or title XIX of such Act, may be used for the purpose of implementing and evaluating alternative projects under this paragraph.

Funding Availability

ORR will consider the requests for funding based on the merits of the proposals. Requests do not have to be limited to the amount being spent for current assistance and services, but that amount will be one of the measures used in considering the reasonableness of the request. Because projects proposed under this announcement will be alternatives to an existing program in a State or community, the expected range for funding applications and total funding level to be awarded per year is not a relevant measure for applicants. Historically, ORR has received fewer than three applications per year under preceding versions of this announcement.

In previous years, ORR applied a test of cost-neutrality to Wilson/ Fish projects by limiting the amount of funds that could be awarded to grantees to the level of funds the project's target population would otherwise have received during the same budget and project periods. This concept of cost-neutrality, however, is not required by statute. The legislative history to the Wilson/Fish Amendment demonstrates Congressional intent that the amendment be budget neutral, meaning that no additional funds were provided by Congress to implement the amendment. See 130 Cong. Rec. 28,363 (October 2, 1984) (statements of Sen. Wilson, Sen. Weicker, Sen. Proxmire). Wilson/Fish projects no longer need to be cost neutral. ORR will entertain proposals, subject to the availability of appropriated funds, to provide financial assistance to TANF-type refugees in addition to RCA-type refugees.

Interim cash and medical assistance under the Wilson/Fish program will be provided from funds appropriated under the Transitional Assistance and Medical Services (TAMS) line item. Funds for services under the Wilson/Fish program will be provided through the State's share of social services formula funds applicable to the population proposed. If the program needs for services are in excess of the formula social services funds available in an area, ORR will consider the provision of supplementary discretionary funds to meet the funding level proposed in the application, if the funds are available and if the applicant has adequately demonstrated the need for such funding.

Applicants are encouraged to cover all or a portion of the costs of interim financial support in this program for TANF-eligible refugees by either seeking a relevant portion of State and Federal TANF funds from the State TANF agency, or seeking State-only funds which may be counted under certain circumstances toward the State's maintenance of effort (MOE) requirement. Those refugees supported by Federal or State TANF funds would be subject to TANF participation and work requirements, while refugees supported with State-only funds would not be subject to TANF rules.

Definition of Terms

Interim Financial Support: To provide financial assistance adequate to meet the basic needs of refugees otherwise eligible for RCA and/or for TANF at a level generally comparable to assistance allowable under those programs. The greater part of this assistance is expected to be provided in the form of cash payments to refugees, but may also include incentive bonuses for early employment or payment for work-related expenses such as transportation or tools.

Eligible population: In addition to persons who meet all requirements of 45 CFR 400.43, ``Requirements for documentation of refugee status'', eligibility for refugee program services and assistance also includes: (1) Cuban and Haitian entrants under section 501 of the Refugee Education Assistance Act of 1980 (Pub. L. 96-422; (2) certain Amerasians from Vietnam who are admitted to the U.S. as immigrants under section 584 of the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Program Appropriations Act, 1988, as included in the FY 1988 Continuing Resolution (Pub. L. 100-202); and (3) certain Amerasians from Vietnam, including U.S. citizens, under title II of the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Acts, 1989 (Pub. L. 100-461), 1990 (Pub. L. 101-167), and 1991 (Pub. L. 101-513). For convenience, the term ``refugee'' is used in this notice to encompass all such eligible persons unless the specific context indicates otherwise.

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CFDA Number: 93.583

Part II. The Wilson/Fish Program

Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants include public and private non-profit organizations, such as States, private voluntary resettlement agencies, a consortium of agencies, local government entities, refugee mutual assistance associations, and community-based organizations.

Because a Wilson/Fish project will have a potential impact on a State's or locality's budgetary needs for cash assistance and/or medical assistance, as well as social services, a non-State applicant is encouraged to coordinate its activities with the State Refugee Coordinator in the development and implementation of such an alternative project under Category Two of this announcement. State applicants should also coordinate their proposed activities with other participants in refugee resettlement such as voluntary resettlement agencies, service providers, mutual assistance associations, and local agencies, if applicable.

Project and Budget Periods

This announcement is inviting applications for project periods up to four years. Awards, on a competitive basis, will be for a one-year budget period, although project periods may be for four years. Applications for non-competing continuation grants funded under these awards beyond the one-year budget period but within the four year project period will be entertained in subsequent years on a noncompetitive basis, subject to availability of funds, satisfactory progress of the grantee and a determination that continued funding would be in the best interest of the government.

Income generated from activities funded under this program shall be added to the funds committed to the project, although ORR does not expect that such income will be generated.

Part III: The Review Process

1. Intergovernmental Review

   This program is covered under Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs,'' and 45 CFR Part 100, ``Intergovernmental Review of Department of Health and Human Services Programs and Activities.'' Under the Order, States may design their own processes for reviewing and commenting on proposed Federal assistance under covered programs.

   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 single point of contact (SPOC), if applicable, or to ACF.

   As of November 20, 1998, the following jurisdictions have elected not to participate in the Executive Order process. Applicants from these jurisdictions or for projects administered by federally- recognized Indian Tribes need take no action in regard to E.O. 12372:

   Alabama, Alaska, American Samoa, Colorado, Connecticut, Kansas Hawaii, Idaho, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Palau, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington.

   Although the jurisdictions listed above no longer participate in the process, entities which have met the eligibility criteria of the program may still apply for a grant even if a State, Territory, Commonwealth, etc. does not have a SPOC. All remaining jurisdictions participate in the Executive Order process and have established SPOCs. Applicants from participating jurisdictions should contact their SPOCs as soon as possible to alert them of the prospective applications and receive instructions. Applicants must submit any required material to the SPOCs as soon as possible so that the program office can obtain and review SPOC comments as part of the award process. The applicant must submit all required materials, if any, to the SPOC and indicate the date of this submittal (or the date of contact if no submittal is required) on the Standard Form 424, item 16a. Under 45 CFR 100.8(a)(2), a SPOC has 60 days from the application deadline to comment on proposed new or competing continuation awards.

   SPOCs are encouraged to eliminate the submission of routine endorsements as official recommendations. Additionally, SPOCs are requested to clearly differentiate between mere advisory comments and those official State process recommendations which may trigger the ``accommodate or explain'' rule.

   When comments are submitted directly to ACF, they should be addressed to: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Refugee Resettlement, Attn: Grants Officer, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW., Sixth Floor-East, Washington, D.C. 20447.

   A list of the Single Points of Contact for each State and Territory is included with the application materials for this program announcement.

2. Initial ORR Screening

   Each application submitted under this program announcement will undergo a pre-review to determine that (1) the application was received by the applicable closing date and submitted in accordance with the instructions in this announcement; and (2) the applicant is an eligible public or private non-profit agency, and therefore eligible for funding. ORR will return to the applicant those applications which are found not eligible or incomplete.

3. Competitive Review and Evaluation Criteria

   Applications which pass the initial ORR screening will be evaluated and rated by an independent review panel on the basis of specific evaluation criteria. The evaluation criteria were designed to assess the quality of a proposed project, and to determine the likelihood of its success. The evaluation criteria are closely related and are considered as a whole in judging the overall quality of an application. Points are awarded only to applications that are responsive to the evaluation criteria within the context of this program announcement. Proposed projects will be reviewed using the following evaluation criteria: 1. Objectives, Need for Assistance, and Rationale for Proposing the Alternative Project

   The improvements proposed to be implemented by the project are based on a thorough review and description of the current resettlement system in the geographic area to be covered, in terms of the services and assistance available; the ability of refugees to access culturally and linguistically appropriate services; the employment outcomes achieved (types of jobs currently available and length of time after arrival required to obtain these jobs); and the post-employment services available. Points: 20 2. Results, Benefits Expected, and Proposed Outcomes

   The proposed project is capable of achieving the stated results. The outcomes proposed are reasonable, and the methodology for collecting outcome and other data are clearly described and adequate. Points: 15 3. Approach/Program Strategy

   The proposed project design is clear, logical, complete and reasonable in terms of (a) the proposed strategies related to the target population, the

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   geographic area to be covered, the adequacy of the system, the policies and administration of interim cash support; (b) the likelihood that the relationship between the interim support and services described will result in a program which delivers quality resettlement; and (c) the adequacy of the policies and procedures for appeals and fair hearings. The application has included adequate evidence of consultation with other relevant agencies and actors, e.g., the State Coordinator in a non-State application and the voluntary agencies and refugee service providers in a State application. Points: 25 4. Organization

   The organization as described has the capacity and resources for effective administration and management of the project. The project staff are qualified and have the necessary expertise to manage the project and to deliver bilingual and bicultural services and assistance to refugees in the manner described. The applicant has described a system for monitoring and reporting that is attainable and adequate considering the organizational capacity and resources described. Points: 15 5. Budget and Budget Justification

   The budget is clear, logical, complete, and reasonable in relation to the expected activities and outcomes. The line-item budget narrative is understandable and adequately justifies the costs proposed. The data provided to justify the budget are consistently and logically presented in terms of the population to be served. Points: 25

   Part IV. The Application

   Project Description

   The project description provides a major means by which an application is evaluated and ranked to compete with other applications for available assistance. The project description should be concise and complete and should address the activity for which Federal funds are being requested. Supporting documents should be included where they can present information clearly and succinctly. Applicants are encouraged to provide information on their organizational structure, staff, related experience, and other information considered to be relevant. Awarding offices use this and other information to determine whether the applicant has the capability and resources necessary to carry out the proposed project. It is important, therefore, that this information be included in the application. However, in the narrative the applicant must distinguish between resources directly related to the proposed project from those that will not be used in support of the specific project for which funds are requested.

   The Director reserves the right to award more or less than the funds requested depending upon the quality of the applications, or such other circumstances as may be deemed to be in the best interest of the Government. Applicants may be required to reduce the scope of selected projects to accommodate the amount of the approved grant awards.

   Applicants shall prepare the project description statement in accordance with the following instructions. 1. Project Summary/Abstract

   Provide a summary of the project description with reference to the funding request. 2. Objective and Need for Assistance

   Clearly identify the physical, economic, social, financial, institutional, and/or other improvements to the current resettlement situation which you are proposing to make. The need for assistance must be demonstrated and the objectives of the project must be clearly stated; supporting documentation, such as letters of support from concerned interests other than the applicant, may be included. Any relevant data based on planning studies should be included or referred to in the endnotes/footnotes. Incorporate demographic data and participant/beneficiary information, as needed. In developing the project description, the applicant may volunteer or be requested to provide information on the total range of projects currently being conducted and supported (or to be initiated), some of which may be outside the scope of the program announcement.

   ORR is particularly interested in the following:

   1. A clear description of the improvements to be made by the alternative strategy, stated in terms of population to be served, assistance and services to be provided, and outcomes to be achieved.

   2. A description of the planning and preparation for the project, including the primary participants involved in planning for this project and those institutions and organizations consulted, such as refugee mutual assistance associations, local community services agencies, national voluntary organizations, and other agencies that serve refugees. 3. Results or Benefits Expected

      Identify the results and benefits to be derived. For example, describe the proposed program outcomes in terms of appropriate indicators, including proposed outcomes using the Government Performance and Results (GPRA) measures currently in use in the refugee resettlement program (e.g., the number of employable refugees in the caseload, the number of entered employments, the number of cash assistance reductions due to employment, the number of cash assistance terminations due to employment, the average hourly wage at entered employment, the number of 90-day employment retentions, and the number of entered employments with health benefits available). Identify other benefits refugees will realize as a result of the Wilson/Fish project, including enhanced acculturation and other social adjustment measures.

      Describe how and what data will be collected and how this data will be used to analyze project results. Describe the plan and schedule for project monitoring. 4. Approach

      Outline a plan of action which describes the scope and detail of how the proposed work will be accomplished. Account for all functions or activities identified in the application. Cite factors which might accelerate or decelerate the work and state your reason for taking the proposed approach rather than others. Describe any unusual features of the project such as design or technological innovations, reductions in cost or time, or extraordinary social and community involvement.

      ORR is particularly interested in the following:

   1. Describe the target population (numbers, ethnicity, and other characteristics such as age, family composition, ability to speak English, and labor skills); and the targeted populations by the anticipated category of public assistance for which the population may otherwise be eligible.

   2. Describe the proposed management plan indicating who has fiscal and programmatic responsibility for the overall project and for individual components. Identify the organizational structure and include a staffing pattern and key position descriptions. Briefly discuss experience of organization(s) and staff in providing services and assistance to refugees, including the capacity to provide bilingually and biculturally appropriate services. Sources and allocation of funds for

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      administration and staffing should be detailed and clearly shown for each position and activity.

   3. Describe the proposed services and how they will be provided, e.g., employment and case management services.

   4. Describe the proposed system for providing cash support, including: (i) The income standards for cash assistance eligibility; (ii) payment levels to be used to provide cash assistance to eligible refugees; (iii) assurance that the payment levels established are not lower than the State TANF amount; (iv) a detailed description of how benefit payments will be structured, including the employment incentives and/or income disregards to be used, if any; (v) a description of how refugees residing within the project area will have appropriate access to cash assistance and services; (vi) a description of the eligibility criteria; (vii) a description of provisions for sanctions for non-cooperation as required by section 412(e)(2) of the INA; (viii) a description of the procedures to be used to ensure appropriate protections and due process for refugees, such as notice of adverse action and the right to mediation, a predetermination hearing, and an appeal to an independent entity; and (ix) a description of the procedures to be used to safeguard the disclosure of information on refugee clients.

   5. Describe the proposed system for providing medical assistance, if applicable, including: (a) The type and range of services to be made available (e.g., physician, inpatient, prescription, surgical, emergency, dental, etc.); (b) a comparison of the system and range of medical services proposed to the currently available Medicaid system and services; (c) the type of provider proposed and history of the proposed provider, especially in providing services to low-income and ethnically diverse communities; (d) a description of how refugees, especially those who do not speak English or who have limited English skills, will have equal, easy, and timely access to medical assistance; (e) variables which will affect the cost of this assistance. Include a comparison of current costs with proposed costs. A description of the constitutionally required due process procedures described in d(viii), above, must also be included for medical assistance alternative projects.

   6. Assurances that the written policies of the alternative project will be made available to refugee clients, including agency eligibility standards, duration and amount of cash assistance payments and medical assistance (if applicable), the requirements for participation in services, the penalties for non-cooperation, and client rights and responsibilities to ensure that refugees understand what they are eligible for, what is expected of them, and what protections are available to them. Assurance that agency policy materials will be made available to refugee clients in English and in their own language.

   7. Discuss how all activities of the project will be coordinated among resettlement agencies and service providers in the community, and how refugees will have access to other programs in the community, such as the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), child care services, and other support programs for working families and individuals. 5. Geographic Location

      Describe the precise location of the project and boundaries of the area to be served by the proposed project. Maps or other graphic aids may be attached. 6. Budget and Budget Justification

      Provide line item detail and detailed calculations for each budget object class identified on the Budget Information form, e.g., cash assistance, employment and other services, case management, and administrative costs by program activity. Detailed calculations must include estimation methods, quantities, unit costs, and other similar quantitative detail sufficient for the calculation to be duplicated. The detailed budget must also include a breakout by the funding sources identified in Block 15 of the SF-424.

      Provide a narrative budget justification that describes how the categorical costs are derived. Discuss the necessity, reasonableness, and allocability of the proposed costs.

      ORR is also interested in the following:

      1. A client loading chart showing the anticipated arrival of clients over the budget period and the projected interim assistance (and medical assistance, if applicable) needed on a monthly basis throughout the year to assist those refugees. Provide assumptions about the length of time clients are expected to need that assistance.

         Identify administrative costs required for the provision of interim cash assistance and for services separately from those costs projected as part of the overall role of coordinating the refugee program in the geographic area.

      2. The amount and source of any additional funding, including in- kind contributions, that will help support the project.

      3. If the provision of medical assistance is proposed, provide a detailed budget and a narrative concerning the underlying assumptions used in developing the budget, such as the system for co-payments and the proposed amounts of co-payments, if applicable, and other variables such as deductibles, premium amounts, prescription costs, if separate. 7. Additional Information

         The following is a description of additional information that should be placed in the appendix to the application. A. Staff and Position Data

         Provide a biographical sketch for each key person appointed and a job description for each vacant key position. A biographical sketch will also be required for new key staff as appointed. B. Third-Party Agreements

         Include written agreements between grantees and subgrantees or subcontractors or other cooperating entities. These agreements must detail the scope of work to be performed, work schedules, remuneration, and other terms and conditions that structure or define the relationship.

         V. Application Submission

      1. Mailed applications postmarked after the closing date will be classified as late.

      2. Deadline. Mailed applications shall be considered as meeting an announced deadline if they are either received on or before the deadline date or sent on or before the deadline date and received by ORR in time for the independent review to: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Refugee Resettlement, Attention: Shirley B. Parker, Grants Officer, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW, Sixth Floor--East, Washington, D.C. 20447.

         Applicants must ensure that a legibly dated U.S. Postal Service postmark or a legibly dated, machine produced postmark of a commercial mail service is affixed to the envelope/package containing the application(s). To be acceptable as proof of timely mailing, a postmark from a commercial mail service must include the logo/emblem of the commercial mail service company and must reflect the date the package was received by the commercial mail service company from the applicant. Private Metered postmarks shall not be acceptable as proof of timely mailing. (Applicants are cautioned that express/overnight mail services do not always deliver as agreed.)

         Applications hand-carried by applicants, applicant couriers, or by

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         other representatives of the applicant shall be considered as meeting an announced deadline if they are received on or before the deadline date, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., EST, at the Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Refugee Resettlement, ACF Mailroom, 2nd Floor (near loading dock), Aerospace Center, 901 D Street, SW, Washington, DC 20024, between Monday and Friday (excluding Federal holidays). The address must appear on the envelope/package containing the application with the note ``Attention: Shirley B. Parker, ORR Grants Officer''. (Applicants are cautioned that express/overnight mail services do not always deliver as agreed.)

         ORR cannot accommodate transmission of applications by fax or through other electronic media. Therefore, applications transmitted to ACF electronically will not be accepted regardless of date or time of submission and time of receipt.

      3. Late applications. Applications which do not meet the criteria above are considered late applications. ORR shall notify each late applicant that its application will not be considered in the current competition.

      4. Extension of deadlines. ORR may extend an application deadline when circumstances such as acts of God (floods, hurricanes, etc.) occur, or when there is widespread disruption of the mail service, or in other rare cases. Determinations to extend or waive deadline requirements rest with ACF's Chief Grants Management Officer.

         Applicable Regulations

         Applicable HHS regulations can be found at 45 CFR part 74 or part 92.

         Reporting Requirements

         Grantees are required to file the Financial Status Report (SF-269) and the Program Progress Reports on a quarterly basis. Funds issued under these awards must be accounted for and reported upon separately from all other grant activities. A final Financial Status Report and Program Progress Report shall be due 90 days after the project period end date.

         Grantees must maintain adequate records to track and report on project outcomes and expenditures by budget line item.

         The official receipt point for the original of all reports and correspondence is the ORR Grants Officer. An original and one copy of each report shall be submitted within 30 days of the end of each reporting period: the original addressed to the Grants Officer, Office of the Director; a copy addressed to the ORR Project Officer, Division of Refugee Self-Sufficiency. The mailing address is: Office of Refugee Resettlement, 370 L'Enfant Promenade SW, Sixth Floor--East, Washington, DC 20447.

         A final Financial and Program Report shall be due 90 days after the budget expiration date.

         The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13)

         Based on historical experience, ORR anticipates fewer than ten responses annually to this notice. An OMB control number is therefore not required.

         Dated: April 15, 1999. Lavinia Limon, Director, Office of Refugee Resettlement.

         [FR Doc. 99-10015Filed4-21-99; 8:45 am]

         BILLING CODE 4184-01-P