FVPSA State Grants Funding Opportunity Announcement

Administration for Children and Families

Administration on Children, Youth and Families (ACYF)/ Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB)

Standing Announcement for Family Violence Prevention and Services/Domestic Violence Shelter and Supportive Services/Grants to States

HHS-2021-ACF-ACYF-FVPS-1962

Application Due Date: 45 days from publication

Application Due Date: March 31, 2022

Application Due Date: March 31, 2023

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES ADMINISTRATION FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

Program Office:	Administration on Children, Youth and Families (ACYF), Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB)
Funding Opportunity Title:	Standing Announcement for Family Violence Prevention and Services/Domestic Violence Shelter and Supportive Services/Grants to States
Announcement Type:	Mandatory
Funding Opportunity Number:	HHS-2021-ACF-ACYF-FVPS-1962
CFDA Number:	93.671
Due Date for Applications:	45 days from publication March 31, 2022 March 31, 2023

Executive Summary:

This announcement governs the proposed award of mandatory formula grants under the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA) to states (including territories). The purpose of these grants is to: 1) assist states in efforts to increase public awareness about, and primary and secondary prevention of, family violence, domestic violence, and dating violence; and 2) assist states in efforts to provide immediate shelter and supportive services for victims of family violence, domestic violence, or dating violence, and their dependents (42 U.S.C. 10401(b)(1)(2)).

This announcement sets forth the application requirements, the application process, and other administrative and fiscal requirements for grants in fiscal years (FY) 2021, 2022, and 2023.

1. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Statutory Authority

The statutory authority for this program is 42 U.S.C. § 10401 et seq., the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA).

Description

This FVPSA funding opportunity announcement (FOA), administered through the Administration on Children, Youth and Families’(ACYF) Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB), is designed to assist states in their efforts to support the establishment, maintenance, and expansion of programs and projects to: 1) prevent incidents of family violence, domestic violence, and dating violence; 2) provide immediate shelter, supportive services, and access to community-based programs for victims of family violence, domestic violence, or dating violence, and their dependents; and 3) provide specialized services for children exposed to family violence, domestic violence, or dating violence, including victims who are members of underserved populations (45 CFR 1370.10(a)).

The FVPSA state formula grant funds shall be used to identify and provide subawards to eligible entities for programs and projects within the state that are designed to prevent incidents of family violence, domestic violence, and dating violence by providing immediate shelter and supportive services; grant use may include paying for the operating and administrative expenses of the facilities for a shelter for adult and youth victims of family violence, domestic violence, or dating violence, and their dependents; and may be used to provide prevention services to prevent future incidents of family violence, domestic violence, and dating violence (42 U.S.C. 10408(a) and 42 U.S.C. 10408(b)(1)(A)).

FVPSA funds awarded to sub-recipients shall be used for, but are not limited to, the following:

• Provision of immediate shelter and related supportive services to adult and youth victims of family violence, domestic violence, or dating violence, and their dependents, on a regular basis, including paying for the operating and administrative expenses of the facilities for such shelter (42 U.S.C. 10408(b)(1)(A));

• Assistance in developing safety plans and supporting efforts of victims of family violence, domestic violence, or dating violence to make decisions related to their ongoing safety and well-being (42 U.S.C. 10408(b)(1)(B));

• Provision of individual and group counseling, peer support groups, and referral to community-based services to assist family violence, domestic violence, and dating violence victims, and their dependents, in recovering from the effects of the violence (42 U.S.C. 10408(b)(1)(C));

• Provision of services, training, technical assistance, and outreach to increase awareness of family violence, domestic violence, and dating violence, and increase accessibility to services (42 U.S.C. 10408(b)(1)(D));

• Provision of culturally and linguistically appropriate services (42 U.S.C. 10408(b)(1)(E));

• Provision of services for children exposed to family violence, domestic violence, or dating violence, including age-appropriate counseling, supportive services, and services for the non-abusing parent that support that parent’s role as a caregiver, which may, as appropriate, include services that work with the non-abusing parent and child together (42 U.S.C. 10408(b)(1)(F));

• Provision of advocacy, case management services, and information and referral services concerning issues related to family, domestic, or dating violence intervention and prevention, including the following: 1) assistance in accessing related federal and state financial assistance programs; 2) provision of legal advocacy to assist victims and their dependents; 3) provision of medical advocacy, including referrals for appropriate health care services (including mental health, alcohol, and drug abuse treatment), but not to include reimbursement for any health care services; 4) assistance locating and securing safe and affordable permanent housing and homelessness prevention services; 5) provision of transportation, child care, respite care, job training and employment services, financial literacy services and education, financial planning, and related economic empowerment services; and 6) provision of parenting and other educational services for victims and their dependents (42 U.S.C. 10408(b)(1)(G)); and

• Provision of prevention services, including outreach to underserved populations (42 U.S.C. 10408(b)(1)(H));

In the distribution of FVPSA grant funds, the state must ensure that not less than 70 percent of the funds distributed are used for the primary purpose of providing immediate shelter and supportive services to adult and youth victims of family violence, domestic violence, or dating violence, and their dependents; not less than 25 percent of the funds will be used for the purpose of providing supportive services and prevention services (42 U.S.C. 10408(b)(2)); and not more than 5 percent of the FVPSA grant funds may be used for state administrative costs (42 U.S.C. 10406(b)(1)).

Pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 10407(a)(2)(B)(iii), the state will emphasize the support of effective community-based projects that are carried out by nonprofit, private organizations and that do the following:

1. have the operation of shelters for victims of family violence, domestic violence, and dating violence, and their dependents as their primary purpose; or

2. provide counseling, advocacy, and self-help services to victims of family violence, domestic violence, and dating violence, and their dependents.

Trauma-Informed Practices and Interventions

In support of FYSB priorities, awards governed by this FOA are designed to ensure that effective interventions and trauma-informed practice are in place to build skills and capacities that contribute to the healthy, positive, and productive functioning of individuals and families. An important component of promoting social and emotional well-being includes addressing the impact of trauma, which can have a profound effect on the overall functioning of victims of family violence, domestic violence, dating violence, and their dependents.

State recipients have a critical role in promoting FYSB priorities by incorporating trauma-informed practices and interventions in all of their services funded by the FVPSA. In particular, services must be provided on a voluntary basis and no condition may be applied for the receipt of emergency shelter (42 U.S.C. 10408(d)(2)). Further, recipients cannot impose conditions for admission to shelter by applying inappropriate screening methods (45 CFR 1370.10(b)(10)).

States are strongly encouraged to leverage the expertise of the FVPSA-funded resource centers that comprise the Domestic Violence Resource Network to infuse programs with best and promising practices on trauma-informed interventions. In particular, the National Center on Domestic Violence, Trauma, and Mental Health can be a valuable resource on accessible, culturally relevant, and trauma-informed response to domestic violence and other lifetime trauma.

Client Confidentiality

In order to ensure the safety of adult, youth, and child victims of family violence, domestic violence, or dating violence, and their families, FVPSA-funded programs must establish and implement policies and protocols for maintaining the confidentiality of records pertaining to any individual provided domestic violence services.

FVPSA-funded programs cannot disclose any personally identifying information (PII) collected in connection with services; reveal PII without informed, written, reasonably time-limited consent; or require a victim to provide consent as a condition of eligibility for services (45 CFR 1370.4(a)(1 – 3)). Additionally, consent to release PII shall be given by an unemancipated minor and the minor’s parent or guardian, or in the case of an individual with a guardian, it shall be given by the individual’s guardian (45 CFR 1370.4 (b)). Please see Section I. Funding Opportunity Description/Definitions for the definition of PII.

In the annual Performance Progress Report (PPR) for FVPSA-funded states and tribes,

states must collect unduplicated data from each sub-recipient, and each sub-recipient may only share non-PII data, in aggregate, regarding services to their clients in order to comply with federal, state, or tribal reporting, evaluation, or data collection requirements (42 U.S.C. 10406(c)(5)(D)(i)). Client-level data shall not be shared with a third party, regardless of encryption, hashing, or other data security measures, without a written, time-limited release as described in 42 U.S.C. § 10406(c)(5). This includes the prohibition of sub-recipients sharing client-level data with the state for data collection or monitoring purposes.

Consistent with the PRA of 1995, (44 U.S.C. 3501-3521), under this FOA, FYSB will not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information covered by such Act, unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The described PPR information collection is approved under Office of Management and Budget control #0970-0280, expiration date March 31, 2021.

The address or location of any FVPSA-supported shelter facility shall not be made public except with written authorization of the person or persons responsible for the operation of such shelter (42 U.S.C. 10406(c)(5)(H)), and the confidentiality of records for any individual provided services by any FVPSA-supported program will be strictly maintained.

Coordinated and Accessible Services

States are required to involve community-based organizations that primarily serve underserved populations, including culturally and linguistically specific populations, in the state planning process when determining how such populations can assist the states in serving unmet needs. States must also consult with and involve state domestic violence coalitions and tribal coalitions in the state planning process, including collaboration with state domestic violence coalition’s needs assessment process to identify service gaps or problems and to develop appropriate response plans and programs (45 CFR 1370.10(a)). States are strongly encouraged to leverage the expertise of the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) Capacity Technical Assistance Center, a FVPSA-funded resource center, regarding state planning and coordination with state domestic violence coalitions’ needs assessments. NNEDV provides comprehensive, specialized consultation, assistance, and training to coalitions, FVPSA State Administrators, and local programs to assist in addressing the needs of victims of domestic violence.

States must involve tribes and tribal organizations in their work with state domestic violence coalitions to support collaboration and ensure tribal members are served appropriately in non-Native domestic violence programs. Pursuant to FVPSA, tribes (both state and federal) and tribal organizations are eligible entities to receive FVPSA state funds. Where appropriate and in deference to tribal sovereignty, tribes are encouraged to apply for subawards under the FVPSA state funding and become involved in state planning and state domestic violence coalitions’ needs assessments. States are strongly encouraged to leverage the expertise of the National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center (NIWRC), a FVPSA-funded resource center. NIWRC is a Native non-profit organization that offers free trainings, networking, resources, and promotes the leadership of Indigenous programs serving their communities.

To comply with federal law, services must be widely accessible to all victims of family violence, domestic violence, and dating violence, and their dependents. Recipients and sub-recipients must not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, disability, race, color, national origin, or religion (42 U.S.C. 10406(c)(2)). No person shall, on the ground of actual or perceived sex, including gender identity, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under, any program or activity funded in whole or in part through FVPSA (45 CFR 1370.5(a)). FVPSA recipients and sub-recipients must provide comparable services to victims regardless of actual or perceived sex, including gender identity. This includes providing access to services for all victims, including male victims, of family, domestic, and dating violence and not limiting services for victims with adolescent children (under the age of 18). Victims and their minor children must be sheltered or housed together unless requested otherwise by the victim (45 CFR 1370.5(a)(1)).

However, in instances where sex is a bona fide occupational qualification or programmatic factor reasonably necessary to the essential operation of that particular program or activity, FVPSA recipients and sub-recipients are not required to include an individual in any program or activity without regard to the individual’s sex. If sex segregation or sex-specific programming is essential to the normal or safe operation of the program, recipients and sub-recipients must provide comparable services to individuals who cannot be provided with the sex-segregated or sex-specific programming, including access to a comparable length of stay, supportive services, and transportation as needed to access services. In making this determination, recipients and sub-recipients should assess the facts and circumstances surrounding the specific program, including an analysis of factors that take into account established field-based best practices and the literature on the efficacy of such services, as applicable. An individual must be treated consistent with their gender identity (45 CFR 1370.5(a)(2)), and as with all individuals served, transgender and gender nonconforming individuals must have equal access to FVPSA-funded shelter and nonresidential programs (45 CFR 1370.5(a)(4)).

No person shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination on the ground of actual or perceived sexual orientation under any program or activity funded in whole or in part through FVPSA (45 CFR 1370.5(c)).

The HHS Office for Civil Rights provides guidance to recipients in complying with civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination. Please see https://www.hhs.gov/civil-rights/for- individuals/index.html.

The grant recipient acknowledges its obligation to comply with 45 CFR § Part 87 “Equal Treatment For Faith-Based Organizations,” including the requirement that all faith-based or religious organizations are eligible, on the same basis as any other organization, to participate in this and any program for which they are otherwise eligible. Thus, the recipient agrees that when selecting service providers or sub-recipients, it will not discriminate for or against any organization on the basis of the organization's religious character or affiliation as indicated in 45 CFR § 87.3(a). For further information visit https://www.acf.hhs.gov/administrative-and-national-policy-requirements#chapter-4.

Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), (42 U.S.C. 2000bb et seq.). If you are a faith-based organization and feel that your exercise of religion would be substantially burdened by compliance with any of the terms and conditions of this grant award, you may contact the HHS Office for Civil Rights. Please contact the HHS Office for Civil Rights for more information about obligations and prohibitions under federal civil rights laws at https://www.hhs.gov/ocr/about-us/contact-us/index.html or call 1-800-368-1019 or TDD 1-800-537-7697.

Recipients and sub-recipients are required to take reasonable steps to provide services to persons with limited English proficiency (i.e., individuals who do not speak English as their primary language and who have a limited ability to read, write, speak, or understand English, including deaf and hard-of-hearing persons). HHS also provides guidance to recipients of federal financial assistance on meeting the legal obligation to take reasonable steps to provide meaningful access to federally assisted programs by persons with limited English proficiency. Please see http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/civilrights/resources/specialtopics/lep/index.html.

As per 45 CFR 1370.5(d), all FVPSA-funded services must be provided without requiring documentation of immigration status since FVPSA-funded services do not fall within the definition of federal public benefit that would require verification of immigration status. HHS provides guidance regarding services to HHS-funded services for immigrant survivors of domestic violence. Please see Domestic Violence Fact Sheet: Access to HHS-Funded Services for Immigrant Survivors of Domestic Violence and Joint Letter to Recipients of Federal Financial Assistance.

Given the unique needs of victims of trafficking, FVPSA-funded programs are strongly encouraged to safely screen for and identity victims of human trafficking who are also victims or survivors of domestic violence or dating violence and provide services that support their unique needs (45 CFR 1370.10(d)). Human trafficking victims who are not also domestic or dating violence victims may be served in shelter and nonresidential programs provided other funding mechanisms, such as funds from other federal programs, local programs, or private donors, are used to support those services.

FVPSA Grantee Meetings

FVPSA state administrators are required to attend FVPSA-sponsored, in-person, and/or virtual conferences or meetings (which may include FVPSA’s tribal grantee meeting(s), FVPSA’s regional grantee meetings, peer-to-peer mentoring meetings, or FVPSA’s bi-annual grantee meetings as directed by the FVPSA program throughout the grant’s project period. Recipients may use grant funding (see 42 U.S.C. 10406(b)(1) - Administrative Costs) to support the travel of up to two participants for the in-person events. Subsequent correspondence will advise the recipients of the date, time, and location.

Definitions

For the purpose of this FOA, states are required to use the following definitions in carrying out FVPSA-funded programs and activities. Definitions include those expanded or clarified through language found in 45 CFR § 1370.2.

Dating Violence: Violence committed by a person who is or has been in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with the victim and where the existence of such a relationship shall be determined based on a consideration of the following factors: the length of the relationship, the type of relationship, and the frequency of interaction between the persons involved in the relationship. This part of the definition reflects the definition also found in section 40002(a)(10) of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)(as amended), 34 U.S.C. § 12291(a), as required by FVPSA. Dating violence also includes, but is not limited to, the physical, sexual, psychological, or emotional violence within a dating relationship, including stalking. It can happen in person or electronically, and may involve financial abuse or other forms of manipulation that may occur between a current or former dating partner, regardless of actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.

Domestic Violence: Felony or misdemeanor crimes of violence committed by a current or former spouse or intimate partner of the victim, by a person with whom the victim shares a child in common, by a person who is cohabitating with or has cohabitated with the victim as a spouse or intimate partner, by a person similarly situated to a spouse of the victim under the domestic or family violence laws of the jurisdiction receiving grant monies, or by any other person against an adult or youth victim who is protected from that person's acts under the domestic or family violence laws of the jurisdiction. This definition also reflects the statutory definition of ‘‘domestic violence’’ found in section 40002(a)(8) of VAWA (as amended), 34 U.S.C. § 12291(a). This definition also includes, but is not limited to, criminal or non-criminal acts constituting intimidation, control, coercion and coercive control, emotional and psychological abuse and behavior, expressive and psychological aggression, financial abuse, harassment, tormenting behavior, disturbing or alarming behavior, and additional acts recognized in other federal, tribal, state, and local laws, as well as acts in other federal regulatory or sub-regulatory guidance. This definition is not intended to be interpreted more restrictively than FVPSA and VAWA, but rather to be inclusive of other, more expansive definitions. The definition applies to individuals and relationships regardless of actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.

Family Violence: Any act or threatened act of violence, including any forceful detention of an individual that results or threatens to result in physical injury and is committed by a person against another individual, to or with whom such person is related by blood or marriage, or is or was otherwise legally related, or is or was lawfully residing.

Note: As provided in the preamble of the notice for proposed rulemaking and in the response to comments found in the final rule (45 CFR Part 1370), in 1984, when FVPSA was first named and authorized, the term “family violence” was commonly used as synonymous with “domestic violence” (violence between intimate partners). However, currently “family violence” is often used more broadly to encompass the diverse forms of violence that occur within families, including child maltreatment, domestic violence, and elder abuse. For clarity and in keeping with the historical FVPSA “family violence” interpretation, the term will continue to be used more narrowly and as interchangeable with “domestic violence.”

Indian Tribe/Tribe/Native American Tribe: Any Indian tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community, including any Alaska Native village or regional or village corporation as defined in or established pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), that is recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United States to Indians because of their status as Indians (25 U.S.C. 5304).

Intimate Partner Violence: A term used interchangeably with domestic violence or dating violence.

Personally identifying information or personal information: Individually identifying information for or about an individual, including information likely to disclose the location of a victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking, regardless of whether the information is encoded, encrypted, hashed, or otherwise protected. Personally identifying information includes a first and last name; a home or other physical address; contact information (including a postal, e-mail, or Internet protocol address, or telephone or facsimile number); a social security number, driver’s license number, passport number, or student identification number; and any other information, including date of birth, racial or ethnic background, or religious affiliation, that would serve to identify any individual.

Primary Prevention: Strategies, policies, and programs to stop both first-time perpetration and first-time victimization. Primary prevention is stopping domestic and dating violence before they occur. Primary prevention includes, but is not limited to, school-based violence prevention curricula, programs aimed at mitigating the effects on children of witnessing domestic or dating violence, community campaigns designed to alter norms and values conducive to domestic or dating violence, worksite prevention programs, and training and education in parenting skills and self-esteem enhancement.

Secondary Prevention: Identifying risk factors or problems that may lead to future family, domestic, or dating violence, and taking the necessary actions to eliminate the risk factors and the potential problem. Secondary prevention actions may include, but are not limited to, healing services for children and youth who have been exposed to domestic or dating violence, home visiting programs for high-risk families, and screening programs in health care settings.

Shelter: The provision of temporary refuge in conjunction with supportive services in compliance with applicable state or tribal law or regulations governing the provision, on a regular basis, of shelter, safe homes, meals, and supportive services to victims of family violence, domestic violence, or dating violence, and their dependents. State and tribal law governing the provision of shelter and supportive services on a regular basis is interpreted by ACF to mean, for example, the laws and regulations applicable to zoning, fire safety, and other regular safety and operational requirements, including state, tribal, or local regulatory standards for certifying domestic violence advocates who work in shelter. This definition also includes emergency shelter and immediate shelter, which may include housing provision, rental subsidies, temporary refuge, or lodging in properties that could be individual units for families and individuals (such as apartments) in multiple locations around a local jurisdiction, tribe/reservation, or state. These properties are not required to be owned, operated, or leased by the program. Temporary refuge includes a residential service, including shelter and off-site services such as hotel or motel vouchers or individual dwellings, which is not transitional or permanent housing, but must also provide comprehensive supportive services. The mere act of making a referral to shelter or housing shall not be considered provision of shelter. Should other jurisdictional laws conflict with this definition of temporary refuge, the definition that provides more expansive housing accessibility governs.

State means each of the several states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and, except as otherwise provided, Guam, American Samoa, the United States Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

State Domestic Violence Coalition means a statewide, nongovernmental, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization whose membership includes a majority of the primary-purpose domestic violence service providers in the state; whose board membership is representative of these primary-purpose domestic violence service providers and may include representatives of the communities where the services are being provided in the state; whose purpose is to provide education, support, and technical assistance to service providers enabling them to establish and maintain supportive services and provide shelter to victims of domestic violence and their children; and that serves as an information clearinghouse, primary point of contact, and resource center on domestic violence for the state and supports the development of policies, protocols, and procedures to enhance domestic violence intervention and prevention in the state/territory.

Subaward: An award provided by a grantee to a sub-recipient; the sub-recipient will perform activities as defined by the grantee to fulfill the grant requirements. The subaward does not include payments to a contractor or payments to an individual that is a beneficiary of a federal program. A subaward may be provided through any form of legal agreement, including an agreement that the pass-through entity considers a contract (45 CFR 75.2).

Subgrant: Has the same meaning as subaward.

Supportive Services: Services for adult and youth victims of family violence, domestic violence, or dating violence, and their dependents that are designed to meet the needs of such victims and their dependents for short-term, transitional, or long-term safety and recovery. Supportive services include, but are not limited to, direct and/or referral-based advocacy on behalf of victims and their dependents; counseling; case management; employment services; referrals; transportation services; legal advocacy or assistance; child care services; health, behavioral health, and preventive health services; culturally and linguistically appropriate services; and other services that assist victims or their dependents in recovering from the effects of the violence. To the extent not already described in this definition, supportive services also include, but are not limited to, other services identified in FVPSA at 42 U.S.C. § 10408(b)(1)(A – H). Supportive services may be directly provided by recipients and/or by providing advocacy or referrals to assist victims in accessing such services.

Tribal Organization: The recognized governing body of any Indian tribe; any legally established organization of Indians that is controlled, sanctioned, or chartered by such governing body, or that is democratically elected by the adult members of the Indian community to be served by such organization and includes the maximum participation of Indians in all phases of its activities; or any tribal nonprofit organization provided that, in any case where a contract is let or grant made to an organization to perform services benefiting more than one Indian tribe, the approval of each such Indian tribe shall be a prerequisite to the letting or making of such contract or grant (25 U.S.C. 5304).

Underserved Populations: Populations who face barriers in accessing and using victim services, including populations underserved because of geographic location, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity; underserved racial and ethnic populations; and populations underserved because of special needs, including language barriers, disabilities, immigration status, and age. Individuals with criminal histories due to victimization and individuals with substance use disorders and mental health issues are also included in this definition. The reference to racial and ethnic populations is primarily directed toward racial and ethnic minority groups (as defined in section 1707(g) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300(u–6)(g)), which means American Indians (including Alaska Natives, Eskimos, and Aleuts); Asian American; Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders; Blacks; and Hispanics. The term ‘‘Hispanic’’ or ‘‘Latino’’ means individuals whose origin is Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Central or South American, or any other Spanish-speaking country. This underserved populations definition also includes other population categories determined by the Secretary or the Secretary’s designee to be underserved.

2. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

Subject to the availability of federal appropriations and as authorized by law, for fiscal years 2021, 2022, and 2023, ACF will make 70 percent of the amount appropriated according to 42 U.S.C. § 10403(a)(1) of the FVPSA and which is not reserved under 42 U.S.C. § 10403(a)(2)(A)(i) available for grants to designated state agencies. In FY 2020, ACF awarded $110,950,000 to state and territorial agencies for immediate shelter, supportive services, and prevention activities.

In separate funding announcements, ACF will allocate 10 percent of the foregoing appropriation to tribes and tribal organizations for the establishment and operation of shelters, safe houses, and the provision of supportive services; and 10 percent to the state domestic violence coalitions to continue their work within the domestic violence community by providing training and technical assistance, needs assessment, and advocacy services, among other activities with local domestic violence programs, and to encourage appropriate responses to domestic violence within the states. In addition, through 6 percent of the appropriation, ACF provides funding for multi-year FVPSA discretionary grants to one National Indian Resource Center Addressing Domestic Violence and Safety for Indian Women; one National Domestic Violence Resource Center; four special issue resource centers; three Culturally Specific Special Issue Resource Centers; one Alaska Native Tribal Resource Center on Domestic Violence; two capacity building centers; demonstration grants under the Specialized Services for Abused Parents and Their Children Program; and the National Domestic Violence Hotline. The remaining 2.5 percent is for program expenses related to administration, evaluation, and monitoring, and 1.5 percent for discretionary grant making.

State Allocation

FVPSA grant awarded to states, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico are based on a population formula. Each state’s grant award shall be $600,000, with the remaining funds allotted to each state based on the ratio of the population in the state to the population of all states (42 U.S.C. 10405(a)(2)). State populations are based on the most recent census data available to the Secretary of HHS, and the Secretary shall use, if available, the annual current interim census data produced by the Secretary of Commerce pursuant to 13 U.S.C. § 181.

For the purpose of computing allotments, the statute provides that Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands will each receive grants of not less than one-eighth of 1 percent of the amount appropriated for formula grants to states (42 U.S.C. 10405(a)(1)).

Match

Grants funded by the states will meet the matching requirements in 42 U.S.C. § 10406(c)(4). No grant shall be made to any entity other than a state or tribe unless the entity agrees that, with respect to the cost to be incurred by the entity in carrying out the program or project for which the grant is awarded, the entity will make available (directly or through donations from public or private entities) non-federal contributions in an amount that is not less than $1 for every $5 of federal funds provided under the grant. The non-federal contributions required may be in cash or in kind.

A tribe as defined in 42 U.S.C. §10402(5), or tribal consortium comprised of tribes, is exempt from the match requirement under the FVPSA State Grant Program. Any entity other than a state or Indian tribe that receives FVPSA funding as a sub-recipient to provide the services specified in 42 U.S.C. 10408(b)(1)(A) – (H) (including training and technical assistance), must provide no less than a 20 percent match. State domestic violence coalitions, tribal coalitions, and tribal organizations (as defined by 25 U.S.C. § 5304) are not exempt and must provide match.

Length of Project Periods

The project period for awards made under this announcement is 24 months.

Expenditure Period

The expenditure period under this announcement is the 24 months that coincide with the project period. FVPSA funds may be used for expenses starting on October 1 of each fiscal year for which they are granted and will be available for expenses through September 30 of the following fiscal year.

Award Year (Federal	Project Period (24 Months)	Expenditure Period (24 months)
FY 2021	10/01/2020 – 9/30/2022	Regardless of the date the award is received, these funds may be expended by the recipient for obligations incurred starting October 1, 2020. Expenses can be incurred through September 30, 2022.
FY 2022	10/01/2021 – 9/30/2023	Regardless of the date the award is received, these funds may be expended by the recipient for obligations incurred starting October 1, 2021. Expenses can be incurred through September 30, 2023.
FY 2023	10/01/2022 – 9/30/2024	Regardless of the date the award is received, these funds may be expended by the recipient for obligations incurred starting October 1, 2022. Expenses can be incurred through September 30, 2024.

Funds must be liquidated within 90 days after the end of each expenditure period (45 CFR 75.309(b) and 75.381(b)).

Re-allotted funds, if any, are available for expenses until the end of the fiscal year following the fiscal year that the funds became available for re-allotment. FY 2021 grant funds that are made available to the states through re-allotment, under 42 U.S.C. § 10405(d), must be liquidated by the state no later than September 30, 2022; FY 2022 funds must be liquidated no later than September 30, 2023; and FY 2023 funds must be liquidated no later than September 30, 2024.

3. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

"States," as defined in 42 U.S.C. § 10402 of FVPSA, are eligible to apply for funds. The term "state" means each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

In the past, Guam, the Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa have applied for funds as a part of an HHS Consolidated Block Grant pursuant to 45 CFR Part 97. These jurisdictions need not submit an application under this program announcement if they choose to have their allotment included as part of a consolidated block grant application.

Eligible entities for state subawards under 42 U.S.C. §10408(c):

To be eligible to receive a subaward from a state, an entity shall be—

1. a local public agency, or a nonprofit private organization (including faith- based and charitable organizations, community-based organizations, tribal organizations, and voluntary associations) that assists victims of family violence, domestic violence, or dating violence, and their dependents, and has a documented history of effective work concerning family violence, domestic violence, or dating violence; or

2. a partnership of two or more agencies or organizations that includes—

1. an agency or organization described in paragraph (1); and

2. an agency or organization that has a demonstrated history of serving populations in their communities, including providing culturally appropriate services.

Additional Information on Eligibility

DUNS Number and System for Award Management Eligibility Requirements (SAM.gov)

All applicants must have a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number (http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform) and an active registration with the System for Award Management (SAM.gov/SAM).

Obtaining a DUNS Number may take 1 to 2 days.

All applicants are required to maintain an active SAM.gov registration until the application process is complete. If a grant is awarded, registration at SAM.gov must be active throughout the life of the award.

Plan ahead. Allow at least 10 business days after you submit your registration for it to become active in SAM.gov and at least an additional 24 hours before that registration information is available in other government systems, i.e., Grants.gov.

This action should allow you time to resolve any issues that may arise. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in your inability to submit your application through Grants.gov or prevent the award of a grant. Applicants should maintain documentation (with dates) of your efforts to register for, or renew a registration, at SAM.gov. User Guides are available under the “Help” tab at https://www.sam.gov.

HHS requires all entities that plan to apply for, and ultimately receive, federal grant funds from any HHS Agency, or that receive subawards directly from recipients of those grant funds, to do the following:

• Be registered in the SAM.gov prior to submitting an application or plan;

• Maintain an active SAM.gov registration with current information during an active award or the time an application or plan is under consideration by an Operating Division (OPDIV); and

• Provide its active DUNS number in each application or plan it submits to the OPDIV.

ACF is prohibited from making an award until an applicant has complied with these requirements. At the time an award is ready to be made, if the intended recipient has not complied with these requirements, ACF may do the following:

• Determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive an award; and

• Use that determination as a basis for making an award to another applicant.

4. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

Application Submission Requirements

Mandatory grant recipients are required to use the Online Data Collection System (OLDC) to submit the Application for Federal Assistance SF-424 Mandatory Form (SF-424M) and upload all required documents. The form is available to applicants and recipients at http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-mandatory-family.html. ACF will not accept paper applications, or those submitted via email or facsimile, without a waiver.

It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that FVPSA is made aware of any changes to the Authorizing Official and/or contact person that occur at any time during the entire application process. Applicants must ensure that the authorizing official has warranted access to OLDC for persons who need to submit the application.

Request an Exemption from Required Electronic Submission

ACF recognizes that some of the recipient community may have limited or no Internet access, and/or limited computer capacity, which may prohibit uploading large files to the Internet through the OLDC. To accommodate such recipients, ACF is instituting an exemption procedure, on a case-by-case basis, that will allow such recipients to submit hard copy state and tribal plans and reporting forms through the United States Postal Service, hand-delivery, recipient courier, overnight/express mail couriers, or other representatives of the recipient.

Additionally, on a case-by-case basis, we will consider requests to accept hard copy submissions of state and tribal plans and reporting forms when circumstances such as natural disasters occur (floods, hurricanes, etc.), or when there are widespread disruptions of mail service, or in other rare cases that would prevent electronic submission of the documents.

Recipients will be required to submit a written statement to ACF that the recipient qualifies for an exemption under one of the following grounds: lack of Internet access; limited computer capacity that prevents the uploading of large files to the Internet; the occurrence of natural disasters (floods, hurricanes, etc.); widespread disruptions of mail service; or other rare cases that would prevent electronic submission of the documents.

Exemption requests will be reviewed and the recipient will be notified of a decision to approve or deny the request. Requests should state if the exemption is for submission of the SF-424M and state and/or tribal plan, Performance Progress Reports (PPR), or Federal Financial Reports (FFR). The written statement must be sent to the Program Office (for SF- 424M and state and/or tribal plan, and PPR exemption requests) and/or ACF Grants Management Office (for FFR exemption requests) points of contact shown in Section VI. Agency Contact of this funding opportunity announcement. Requests must be received on or before the due date for applications listed in this funding opportunity announcement. Exemption requests may be submitted by regular mail or by email.

In all cases, the decision to allow an exemption to accept submission of hard copy, paper state plans, and reporting forms will rest with the program office listed in this announcement and/or ACF’s Office of Grants Management. Exemptions are applicable only to the federal fiscal year in which they are received and approved. If an exemption is necessary for a future federal fiscal year, a request must be submitted during each federal fiscal year for which an exemption is necessary.

Forms, Assurances, and Certifications

Applicants seeking financial assistance under this announcement must submit the listed Standard Forms (SFs), assurances, and certifications. All required Standard Forms, assurances, and certifications are available at the Grants.gov Forms Repository.

Forms/Certifications	Description	Where Found
SF-424M (Mandatory Form)	This is a required Standard Form. Application for Federal Assistance - Mandatory	Available at http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/ forms/sf-424-mandatory- family.html.
Certification Regarding Lobbying (Grants.gov Lobbying Form)	Required of all applicants at the time of their application. If not available at the time of application, it must be submitted prior to the award of the grant.	Available at http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/ forms/sf-424-mandatory- family.html.
Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL)	Only required if any funds have been paid or will be paid to any person for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a member of Congress in connection with this commitment providing for the United States to insure or guarantee a loan, the applicant shall complete and submit the SF-LLL, "Disclosure Form to Report Lobbying,” in accordance with its instructions.	"Disclosure Form to Report Lobbying" is available at http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/ forms/sf-424-family.html.
Assurance of Compliance with Grant Requirements	Required of all applicants at the time of their application.	See Appendix A for the complete description.

The Project Description

The application, including all required forms, assurances, and certifications, must be submitted by the Chief Executive of the State (42 U.S.C. 10407(a)(1)) and must be signed by the Chief Executive Officer or the Chief Program Official designated as responsible for the administration of FVPSA funds (45 CFR 1370.10(b)).

The application must contain the following Project Description information in the specific order shown below with sections labeled accordingly.

1. Cover Letter

A cover letter addressed to ACF, on the state’s letterhead, with the following information:

1. The name and complete address of the state agency.

2. The name and contact information for the Chief Program Official designated as responsible for the administration of FVPSA funds and the coordination of related programs within the state (45 CFR 1370.10(b)(1)). This person should have the authority to sign the application, assurances, and certifications.

3. The name and contact information for a contact person if different from the Chief Program Official (45 CFR 1370.10(b)(1)).

4. Identify if the person in (2) and/or the person in (3) will be considered the FVPSA State Administrator (e.g., for purposes of attendance at required FVPSA meetings).

5. The cover letter must be signed by the Chief Executive Officer (e.g., Governor) or the Chief Program Official on behalf of the state.

Please note that the person submitting the application through the OLDC does not have to be the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Program Official, or other point of contact. The cover letter will suffice to show that the state has authorized the application to be submitted electronically.

2. State Planning

The state is required to develop a plan to provide for the establishment, maintenance, and expansion of programs and projects to prevent incidents of family violence, domestic violence, and dating violence; to provide immediate shelter, supportive services, and access to community-based programs for victims of family, domestic, and dating violence, and their dependents; and to provide specialized services for children exposed to family, domestic, or dating violence, including victims who are members of underserved populations. This plan should look at all the needs across the state to help it distribute funding, conduct outreach, and provide training and technical assistance as appropriate with all its available resources. While the state’s planning process and the resulting state plan may vary greatly from state to state, FVPSA requires certain actions/elements to be included in the FVPSA application (42 U.S.C. 10407(a)(2) and 45 CFR1370.10)). The state must:

1. Provide a detailed description of how often it conducts statewide planning. Please include a full description of the entities involved, including community organizations, partner agencies, and any other participants involved in this process.

   1. If the state has not conducted statewide planning within the designated timeframe above, please provide the following:

      1. an explanation as to why this has not occurred, including any barriers for implementation and technical assistance needed.

      2. a detailed description of the state’s plan to move forward on the planning process, including projected timelines for implementation and steps to overcome the barriers the state has identified.

2. Provide a detailed description of the efforts and activities it has taken to coordinate the State’s Violence Against Women Act implementation plan, the Victims of Crime Act State plan, the Rape Prevention and Education Act State plan, and the FVPSA State plan/application pursuant to the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013.

   1. If the state has not coordinated the plans, please provide the following:

      1. an explanation as to why this has not occurred, including any barriers for implementation and technical assistance needed.

      2. a detailed description of the state’s plan to move forward on the coordination, including projected timelines for implementation and steps to overcome the barriers the state has identified.

3. Provide a detailed description of the steps it has taken, or plans to take, to reach out and include the entities below in the state planning process. Please include details around the roles each entity plays.

   1. the HHS-designated state domestic violence coalition;

   2. tribal coalition(s), if any;

   3. community-based organizations that primarily serve underserved populations, including culturally and linguistically specific populations;

   4. tribes; and

   5. other knowledgeable individuals and interested organizations (45 CFR 1370.10(b)(3)).

4. Provide a detailed description of how it coordinates the state planning process with state domestic violence coalition needs assessments in order to identify service gaps or problems and develop appropriate responsive plans and programs (45 CFR 1370.10(a)).

5. Provide a detailed description of the underserved populations in the state, including the following:

   1. identification of which populations in the state are underserved, and how they were identified;

   2. identification of the underserved populations that are being targeted for outreach and services by the state, and why they were selected;

   3. how often the state revisits the identification and selection of the underserved populations to be served;

      1. If the state does not review its demographics and other relevant metrics at least every 3 years, provide an explanation of why this process is unnecessary (45 CFR 1370.10(b)(2)(i)); and

   4. identification of populations that are unserved or inadequately served.

6. Please provide a detailed plan of how the needs of underserved populations will be met, including the following:

   1. a description of the outreach plan to underserved populations, including training to be provided related to domestic violence services and prevention;

   2. the public information component of the underserved populations outreach plan, including elements of the program that are used to explain domestic violence, the most effective and safe ways to seek help, and tools to identify available resources (45 CFR 1370.10(b)(2)(iv));

   3. the means for providing technical assistance and support to underserved populations and/or the communities and/or programs that provide them services; and

   4. the leadership role played by those representing and serving the underserved populations in question (45 CFR 1370.10(b)(2)(ii)).

3. Distribution of FVPSA Funding

States are required to distribute no less than 95 percent of the funds awarded to it from FVPSA to eligible entities for approved activities. No more than 5 percent may be used for costs related to administration, monitoring, or oversight, including the cost to attend required FVPSA grantee meetings. The following requirements pertain specifically to the distribution of FVPSA funding, with the exception of number 7. With respect to the distribution of FVPSA funding, provide the following:

1. A detailed description of how the state consults with and includes the participation of the state domestic violence coalition and tribal coalition(s) where one exists, in the administration and distribution of FVPSA funds (45 CFR part 1370.10(b)(4)).

Note: Per 45 CFR part 1370.10(a) If states also fund state domestic violence coalitions to provide training, technical assistance, or other programming, nothing in this requirement is intended to conflict with state contracting requirements regarding conflicts of interest but rather that this rule’s requirements should be interpreted to complement states’ contracting and procurement laws and regulations.

2. A description of the target populations to be funded, including tribes or tribal organizations (42 CFR 1370.10(b)(6)(ii)). [The response should not include a shelter and/or non-residential program operating on or near a reservation without direct authorization from the tribe. See Section I. Funding Opportunity Description/Definitions for the definition of Tribe and Tribal Organizations].

3. A description of:

1. the number of shelters and programs providing shelter through other means (i.e., hotels/motels, safe homes, etc. - see Section I. Funding Opportunity Description/Definitions for the definition of shelter) to be funded;

2. the number of non-residential programs to be funded;

3. the primary and/or secondary prevention services/programming to be funded, if any; and

4. the types of supportive services to be provided (45 CFR 1370.10(b)(6)(iii-iv)).

4. A description of:

   1. the number of shelter and non-residential programs from the list in number 3 above that are operated by tribes and/or tribal organizations. See Section I. Funding Opportunity Description/Definitions for the definitions of tribe and tribal organizations. [The response should not include a shelter and/or non-residential program operating on or near a reservation without direct authorization from the tribe].

      1. If the state is not funding any shelter or non-residential programs that are operated by tribes and/or tribal organizations, provide an explanation as to why this is not occurring, including any barriers and technical assistance needs.

2. the number of shelter and non-residential programs from the list in number 3 above that are operated by community-based organizations and primarily serve underserved populations, including culturally and linguistically specific populations.

   1. If the state is not funding any shelter or non-residential programs that are operated by community-based organizations and primarily serve underserved populations, including culturally and linguistically specific populations, provide an explanation as to why this is not occurring, including any barriers and technical assistance needs.

3. the specific services to be provided or enhanced for underserved populations, including new shelters or services and improved access to shelters or services (45 CFR 1370.10(b)(2)(iii).

5. A detailed description of any partnerships that may be funded between domestic/dating violence organizations with documented histories of effective work and community-based organizations with a demonstrated history of serving populations in their communities, including providing culturally appropriate services (42 U.S.C. 10408(c)(2)).

6. A detailed description of:

1. any set asides or targeted funding specifically to do training, technical assistance, outreach to increase awareness of family violence, domestic violence, and dating violence, and to increase the accessibility of services (42 U.S.C. 10408(b)(1)(D)).

   1. Include the amount or percentage for each portion of set asides or targeted funding and describe the services to be provided by each. [This does not include amounts that are provided to a coalition or other entity to perform administration and monitoring as a pass-through agency for the state.]

7. A detailed description of the following:

   1. the procedures used to ensure an equitable distribution of grants and grant funds within the state and between urban and rural areas.

      1. If the state is using a state-determined definition for rural or non-metro, please provide data to support it.

         1. provide documentation that this definition was given to the public for comment prior to its adoption (45 CFR 1370.10(b)(5)).

         2. describe the process to solicit input from the state coalition, the tribal coalition, and other stakeholders.

   2. the competitive process and/or formula, if the state is using one.

      1. If funds are distributed by formula, describe the formula and how it was determined.

   3. For states with set asides or budget plans in place, identify the proposed amount of FVPSA funds to be provided to underserved populations (if known, list each population with the proposed percentage) including tribes.

8. A detailed description of the other sources of funding (federal, state, local, and private) that will be provided in order to meet the FVPSA requirement for addressing the needs of underserved populations, including tribal populations, with an emphasis on funding organizations that can meet unique needs including culturally and linguistically specific populations (45 CFR 1370.10(b)(5)).

   1. For states with set asides or budget plans in place, identify the proposed amount of these other sources of funding to be provided to underserved populations (if known, list each population with the proposed percentage), including tribes.

   2. Describe the services that will be provided using these other funds and how they meet the primary purposes under FVPSA.

4. Priorities, Assurances, Performance and Monitoring

1. Provide a detailed description of the state’s plan to provide specialized services for children exposed to family violence, domestic violence, or dating violence.

   1. The description should include victims who are members of underserved populations (45 CFR 1370.10(a)).

   2. If the state is not providing specialized services to children exposed to family violence, domestic violence, or dating violence, provide an explanation as to why this is not occurring, including any barriers and technical assistance needs.

2. Provide a detailed description of the state’s plan to support programs in developing and sustaining a trauma-informed approach to service provision. The description must include the following:

   1. how the state will partner with the state domestic violence coalition to identify what is needed to do trauma-informed work with sub-recipients and victims; and

   2. how the state will partner with the state domestic violence coalition to support training and/or technical assistance to promote trauma-informed care and to continue to build trauma-informed organizations.

3. Provide a detailed description of the following:

   1. the means by which the state and its sub-recipients will provide meaningful access for limited English proficient individuals.

   2. the means by which the state and its sub-recipients will provide meaningful access and effective communication for individuals with disabilities (45 CFR 1370.10(b)(2)(v)).

4. Provide a detailed description of the following:

   1. how the state consults with and includes the participation of the state domestic violence coalition and tribal coalition(s), if any, in monitoring the distribution of grants to eligible entities and the administration of subaward programs and projects.

   2. how the state, state domestic violence coalition, and tribal coalition completed the following:

      1. jointly identified needs and what the needs are;

      2. jointly identified strategies to address the needs identified above;

      3. determined grant priorities based upon the needs identified above;

      4. defined mutual expectations regarding programmatic performance and monitoring; and

      5. implemented an annual collaboration plan that incorporates concrete steps for accomplishing the tasks above (45 CFR 1370.10(a)).

   3. If the state is not collaborating with the state domestic violence coalition and/or the tribal coalition:

      1. provide an explanation as to why this is not occurring, including barriers and technical assistance needs.

      2. provide a detailed description of the state’s plan to collaborate with the state domestic violence coalition and tribal coalition, including projected timelines for implementation and steps to overcome the barriers the state has identified.

   4. If the state has or plans to have a grant/contract with the state domestic violence coalition or other entity to serve as a pass-through of FVPSA funding for conducting administrative and monitoring activities, provide a proposed budget that describes the specific activities the entity will be performing with the amount and source of all funds to be provided.

      1. If the state has or plans to have a grant/contract as described above, please provide a detailed description of the state’s plan to monitor the activities of the sub-recipient in accordance with 45 CFR §75.352(d) of the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for HHS Awards.

5. Provide a detailed description of the expected results from the use of these grant funds including the following:

   1. program effectiveness; and

   2. how the state solicits feedback from the state domestic violence coalition and tribal coalition(s), if any, on program effectiveness.

      1. This may include recommendations such as establishing program standards and participating in program monitoring (45 CFR 1370.10(b)(6)(v)).

6. Provide a detailed description of the procedures that have been developed to ensure compliance with the following provisions (42 U.S.C. 10407(a)(2)(A)):

   1. Non-discrimination requirements based on race, color, national origin, age, disability, religion, actual or perceived sex, gender identity, or actual or perceived sexual orientation;

   2. No income eligibility standard and no fees for assistance or services provided with FVPSA funds;

   3. No funds provided under FVPSA may be used as direct payment to any victim or dependent of a victim;

   4. Voluntarily accepted services; no condition for receipt of emergency shelter; and

   5. Match requirements of no less than $1 of non-federal contributions for every $5 of federal funds provided under FVPSA for any entity other than state or an Indian tribe.

7. Provide documentation of policies, procedures, and protocols that ensure the following for individual identifiers of client records:

   1. records will not be used when in the course of grant monitoring;

   2. confidentiality of records pertaining to any individual provided family violence, domestic violence, or dating violence prevention or intervention services will be strictly maintained; and

   3. the address or location of any shelter supported under the FVPSA will not be made public without the written authorization of the person or persons responsible for the operation of such shelter (45 CFR 1370.10(b)(9)).

Paperwork Reduction Disclaimer

Consistent with the PRA of 1995, (44 U.S.C. 3501-3521), under this FOA, FYSB will not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information covered by such Act, unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The described PPR information collection is approved under Office of Management and Budget control #0970-0280, expiration date March 31, 2021.

Funding Restrictions

The Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2021 and Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, (Division H, Title II, Sec. 202), limits the salary amount that may be awarded and charged to ACF grants and cooperative agreements. Award funds issued under this announcement may not be used to pay the salary of an individual at a rate in excess of Executive Level II. The Executive Level II salary of the "Rates of Pay for the Executive Schedule" is $199,300. This amount reflects an individual's base salary exclusive of fringe benefits and any income that an individual may be permitted to earn outside of the duties of the applicant organization. This salary limitation also applies to subawards and subcontracts under an ACF grant or cooperative agreement.

Please see Appendix A, Assurance of Compliance with Grant Requirements, for additional program-specific funding restrictions.

5. AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION Approval/Disapproval of State Application

The Secretary of HHS shall approve any application that meets the requirements of the FVPSA and this announcement. The Secretary shall not disapprove an application unless the Secretary gives the applicant reasonable notice of intention to disapprove along with a 6-month period providing the applicant an opportunity to correct any deficiencies. The Secretary shall give such notice within 45 days after the date of submission of the application, if any of the provisions of the application have not been satisfied. If the state does not correct the deficiencies within the 6-month period, following the receipt of the Secretary’s notice, the Secretary shall withhold payment of any grant funds to such state until the state provides documentation that the deficiencies have been corrected (See 42 U.S.C. 10407(b)(1) and (b)(2)).

Administrative and National Policy Requirements

For the general terms and conditions that apply to all mandatory grants, as well as ACF program-specific terms and conditions, go to https://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/mandatory-formula-block-and-entitlement-grants, and FVPSA Supplemental Terms and Conditions.

Reporting

Recipients are required to submit post-award performance progress reports and financial reports. Program reporting forms for mandatory grant programs must be submitted electronically through the OLDC via http://www.grantsolutions.gov/. Financial reporting forms must be submitted electronically to the Division of Payment Management through the Payment Management System (PMS). Paper copies will not be accepted. Please see Section IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION for more information on required electronic submission, as well as exemption from this requirement.

Note: It is the applicant’s responsibility to inform FVPSA of any changes to the Authorizing Official and/or contact person that occur during the entire project period. In addition, applicants must ensure that the Authorizing Official and/or their designee has warranted access to submit program and financial reports.

Performance Progress Reports (PPR)

Recipients are required to submit an annual Performance Progress Report (PPR) for FVPSA-funded states and tribes describing the activities carried out and an evaluation of the effectiveness of those activities in achieving the purposes of the grant (42 U.S.C. 10406(d)). A section of this performance report must be completed by each recipient or sub-recipient that provided program services and activities during the project period. State recipients must compile sub-recipient performance reports into a comprehensive report for submission. A copy of the required PPR can be found at https://www.acf.hhs.gov/fysb/form/performance-progress-report-form-state-and-tribal-fvpsa-grantees.

Territorial governments that consolidate FVPSA funds with other HHS funds in a Consolidated Block Grant pursuant to 45 CFR Part 97 are not required to submit an annual FVPSA PPR and programmatic assurances if FVPSA funds are not designated in the consolidation application for FVPSA purposes. If a territorial government either does not consolidate FVPSA funds with other HHS funds or does consolidate but indicates that FVPSA funds will be used for FVPSA purposes, the territorial government must submit an annual FVPSA PPR and programmatic assurances (45 CFR 1370.6).

PPRs are due on an annual basis at the end of the calendar year (December 29) and will cover the twelve months from October 1 through September 30 of the current fiscal year. Recipients must submit their reports online through the OLDC at http://www.GrantSolutions.gov.

HHS may suspend funding for an approved application if any applicant fails to submit an annual performance report or if the funds are expended for purposes other than those set forth under this FOA.

Consistent with the PRA of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3521), under this FOA, FYSB will not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information covered by such Act, unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The described PPR information collection is approved under Office of Management and Budget control #0970-0280, expiration date March 31, 2021.

Federal Financial Reports (FFR)

Recipients must submit Federal Financial Reports (FFR) for each grant award using the Standard Form 425 (SF-425). The following table lists the due dates for the first and final FFR for FY 2021, FY 2022, and FY 2023 grant awards.

Fiscal Year	Project and Expenditure Period	Report Period End Date	FFR Due Date First Report	FFR Due Date Final Report
FY 2021	10/1/2020 – 9/30/2022	9/30/2021	12/31/2021	12/30/2022
FY 2022	10/1/2021 – 9/30/2023	9/30/2022	12/31/2022	12/30/2023
FY 2023	10/1/2022 – 9/30/2024	9/30/2023	12/31/2023	12/30/2024

In addition, a separate, quarterly financial report must be submitted electronically to the Division of Payment Management using the SF-425 FFR.

FFATA Subaward and Executive Compensation

Awards issued as a result of this funding opportunity may be subject to the Transparency Act subaward and executive compensation reporting requirements of 2 CFR Part 170. See ACF’s Award Term for Federal Financial Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) Subaward and Executive Compensation Reporting Requirement implementing this requirement and additional award applicability information.

ACF has implemented the use of the SF-428 Tangible Property Report and the SF-429 Real Property Status Report for all recipients. Both standard forms are available at https://www.grants.gov/forms/post-award-reporting-forms.html.

6. HHS AWARDING AGENCY CONTACT(S)

Program Office Contact

HHS Region I:

Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

Contact: Damien Frierson

Phone: (202) 205-8657

Email: Damien.Frierson@acf.hhs.gov

HHS Region II:

New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Contact: Maurice Hendrix

Phone: (202) 690-5589

Email: Maurice.Hendrix@acf.hhs.gov

HHS Region III:

Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Contact: Tya Johnson

Phone: (202) 690-7862

Email: Tya.Johnson@acf.hhs.gov

HHS Regions IV

Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

Contact: Jacqueline Sanchez-Perez

Phone: 202-401-9346

Email: Jacqueline.Sanchez-Perez@acf.hhs.gov

HHS Region V

Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin.

Contact: Brian Pinero

Phone: 202-401-5524

Email: Brian.Pinero@acf.hhs.gov

HHS Region VI

Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.

Contact: Katherine Cloutier

Phone: 202-260-5738

Email: Katherine.cloutier@acf.hhs.gov

HHS Regions VII

Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, and Nebraska.

Contact: Tondala Gass

Phone: 202-690-1216

Email: Tondala.gass@acf.hhs.gov

HHS Regions VIII

Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming.

Contact: Tya Johnson, Senior Program Specialist

Phone: 202-690-7862

Email: Tya.Johnson@acf.hhs.gov

HHS Region IX

Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, American Samoa, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Marshall Islands, Republic of Palau, and Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Contact: Mao Yang

Phone: 202-401-6465

Email: Mao.Yang@acf.hhs.gov

HHS Regions X:

Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.

Contact: Shena Williams, Senior Program Specialist Phone: 202-205-5932

Email: Shena.Williams@acf.hhs.gov

Grants Management Contact

HHS Regions I, II and IV

Region I: Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut

Region II: New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands

Region IV: North Carolina, South Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, Mississippi,

Alabama, Florida

Contact: George Barnwell, Grants Management Officer

Phone: 617-565-1403

Email: George.Barnwell@acf.hhs.gov

HHS Region III, VI, and VII

Region III: Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Delaware, Maryland, District of Columbia,

Virginia

Region VI: New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arizona, Texas, Louisiana

Region VII: Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska

Contact: Janice Realeza, Grants Management Officer

Phone: 215-861-4007

Email: Janice.Realeza@acf.hhs.gov

HHS Region V, VIII, IX, and X

Region V: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio

Region VIII: Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado

Region IX: Nevada, California, Arizona, Hawaii, America Samoa, Northern Mariana,
Micronesia, Guam, Marshall Islands, Palau

Region X: Alaska, Washington, Idaho, Oregon

Contact: Margaret Dixon Harrell, Grants Management Officer

Phone: 312-353-4720

E-mail: Margaret.harrell@acf.hhs.gov

Appendices

Appendix A, Assurance of Compliance with Grant Requirements, must be signed and submitted as part of the application.

APPENDIX A - Assurance of Compliance with Grant Requirements

By signing and submitting this document, the applicant or recipient agrees to comply with all requirements of the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA), including, but not limited to, the following conditions imposed by the FVPSA at 42 U.S.C § 10401 et seq. and 45 CFR Part 1370.

1. Grant funds will be distributed to local public agencies or nonprofit private organizations (including faith-based and charitable organizations, community-based organizations, tribal organizations, and voluntary associations) that assist victims of family violence, domestic violence, or dating violence, and their dependents, and that have a documented history of effective work concerning family violence, domestic violence, or dating violence. States may also distribute FVPSA funds to a partnership of two or more agencies or organizations that includes an agency or organization with a documented history of effective work and an agency or organization with a demonstrated history of serving populations in their communities, including providing culturally appropriate services (42 U.S.C. 10408(c)(1) and (c)(2)).

2. Grant funds will be used for programs and projects within the state that are designed to provide immediate shelter, supportive services, and prevention services to adult and youth victims of family violence, domestic violence, or dating violence, and their dependents (42 U.S.C. 10408(a)).

3. In distributing the funds, the state will emphasize the support of effective community- based projects that are carried out by nonprofit, private organizations whose primary purpose is the operation of shelters for victims of family violence, domestic violence, and dating violence, and their dependents; or whose primary purpose is to provide counseling, advocacy, and self-help services to victims of family violence, domestic violence, and dating violence, and their dependents (42 U.S.C. 10407(a)(2)(B)(iii)).

4. Not less than 70 percent of the funds distributed shall be for the primary purpose of providing immediate shelter and supportive services to adult and youth victims of family violence, domestic violence, or dating violence, and their dependents, including paying for the operation and administrative expenses of the facilities for such shelter (42 U.S.C. 10408(b)(2)).

5. Not less than 25 percent of the funds distributed shall be for the purpose of providing supportive services and prevention services to victims of family violence, domestic violence, or dating violence, and their dependents, as described in 42 U.S. C. § 10408(b)(1)(B) through (b)(1)(H).

6. Not more than 5 percent of the funds will be used for state administrative costs (42 U.S.C. 10407(a)(2)(B)(i)).

7. The state recipient will provide an equitable distribution of grants and grant funds within the state and between urban and rural areas within the state (42 U.S.C. 10407(a)(2)(C)).

8. The state will consult with and provide for the participation of the state domestic violence coalition in the planning and monitoring of the distribution of grant funds and the administration of the grant programs and projects (42 U.S.C. 10407(a)(2)(D)). The state must also consult with and provide for the participation of tribal coalitions, where one exists, in the administration and distribution of FVPSA programs, projects, and grant funds awarded to the state (45 CFR 1370.10(b)(4)).

9. Grant funds made available under this program by the state will not be used as direct payment to any victim of family violence, domestic violence, or dating violence, or to any dependent of such victim (42 U.S.C. 10408(d)(1)).

10. No income eligibility standard will be imposed on individuals with respect to eligibility for assistance or services supported with funds appropriated to carry out the FVPSA (42 U.S. C. 10406(c)(3)).

11. No fees will be levied for assistance or services provided with funds appropriated to carry out the FVPSA (42 U.S.C. 10406(c)(3)).

12. The address or location of any shelter or facility assisted under the FVPSA that otherwise maintains a confidential location will not be made public, except with written authorization of the person or persons responsible for the operation of such shelter (42 U.S. C. 10406(c)(5)(H)). Shelters that choose to remain confidential must develop and maintain systems and protocols to remain secure and must include policies to respond to disruptive or dangerous contact from abusers (45 CFR 1370.4(g)(1)).

13. The applicant has established policies, procedures, and protocols to ensure compliance, including by sub-recipients, with the provisions of 42 U.S.C. § 10406(c)(5) regarding non-disclosure of confidential or private information (42 U.S.C. 10407(a)(2)(A)).

14. Pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 10406(c)(5), the applicant will comply with requirements to ensure the non-disclosure of confidential or private information, including, but not limited to, the following: a) recipients will not disclose any PII collected in connection with services requested (including services used or denied), through recipient’s funded activities, and recipients will not reveal PII without informed, written, reasonably time-limited consent by the person about whom information is sought, whether for the FVPSA-funded activities or any other federal or state program and in accordance with 42 U.S.C. § 10406(c)(5)(B)(ii); b) recipients will not release information compelled by statutory or court order unless adhering to the requirements of 42 U.S.C. § 10406(c)(5)(C); and c) recipients may share non-PII in the aggregate for the purposes enunciated in 42 U.S.C. § 10406(c)(5)(D)(i), as well as for other purposes found in 42 U.S.C. § 10406(c)(5)(D)(ii) and (iii).

15. The applicant will ensure that it and its sub-recipients will not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, disability, race, color, national origin, or religion (42 U.S.C. 10406(c)(2)). No person, on the ground of actual or perceived sex, including gender identity, shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under, any program or activity funded in whole or in part through FVPSA (45 CFR 1370.5(a)). No person, on the ground of actual or perceived sexual orientation, shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under, any program or activity funded in whole or in part through FVPSA (45 CFR § 1370.5(c)).

16. The applicant shall use FVPSA funds to supplement and not supplant other federal, state, and local public funds expended to provide services and activities that promote the objectives of the FVPSA (42 U.S. C. 10406(c)(6)).

17. The receipt of supportive services under the FVPSA will be voluntary. No condition will be applied for the receipt of emergency shelter as described in 42 U.S.C. § 10408(d)(2) and 45 CFR § 1370.10(b)(10).

18. The state has a law or procedure to bar an abuser from a shared household or a household of the abused person, which may include eviction laws or procedures, where appropriate (42 U.S.C. 10407(a)(2)(H)).

Printed Name and Title of Authorizing Official

Signature of Authorizing Official

Date Signed

Name of State Organization/Unit/Division