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>> MR. BRYAN SAMUELS: My name is Bryan Samuels. I am the Commissioner for the Administration
on Children, Youth & Families. I'd like to thank everyone for taking the time to learn
more about two very important initiatives under the responsibility of the Administration
on Children, Youth and Families.
Today, we'd like to talk about the personal responsibility program as well as the abstinence
education program. As most of you know, these programs are currently available for application.
We're excited about both of these opportunities. Together, they represent about $105 million
in federal investments this year alone. And we think both of them can play a very important
role in reducing teen pregnancy in the United States.
As many of you know, teen pregnancy is a serious problem. It's one that has a detrimental impact
on the long-term wellbeing of both adults and children. And so we think that it is critical
that we find the most effective interventions for addressing these problems.
Together, the program for abstinence as well as the program that ... the PREP program which
is intended to address both abstinence and contraception, we think can work in coordination
with one another. We think they can complement one another. Because we recognize that most
states have diverse communities and have very different populations that they would like
to target in their efforts to reduce the teen pregnancy rates in their state.
And so because we have both of these programs available, we're really encouraging all states
to look very closely at the flexibility that is available in each of the programs, as well
as the evidence that is available about the effectiveness of those programs. We think
collectively they are important investments. And we think ultimately, they'll have a real
impact on creating positive futures for many young people in each state in the country.
So again, I would just like to thank you for participating in this afternoon's webinar.
And I'm going to hand the program off to Debbie Powell who will tell you more specifics about
the program and how your state can take advantage of the opportunities represented by these
programs. So Debbie, thank you.
>> MS. DEBBIE POWELL: Thank you, Bryan. Good afternoon and welcome to the webinar. I am
Debbie Powell. I'm the Acting Associate Commissioner for the Family and Youth Services Bureau.
And on behalf of FYSB, which is the acronym for the Family and Youth Services Bureau,
and the Department of Health and Human Services, I am pleased to introduce to you FYSB's new
teen pregnancy prevention efforts. The Personal Responsibility Education Program or PREP and
the Abstinence State Grant Program. These programs have come to FYSB as part of the
health care reform bill, officially known as the Patient Protection And Affordable Care
Act Of 2010.
Let me start by telling you a little bit about FYSB. At FYSB, we believe in empowering young
people and families to build their own positive future. For young people, we promote positive
youth development. In a nutshell, PYD, Positive Youth Development, is a belief that all young
people can grow into successful adults if they have supportive home, school and community
environments in which to build skills, exercise leadership and make a contribution.
Another of our crucial underlying philosophies is cultural competence. We ask our staff and
all of our grantees to recognize and respect the unique perspective of people with different
characteristics, backgrounds and views. Both philosophies will be important components
of PREP and abstinence.
Let me give you an idea of where FYSB fits within the federal government. FYSB is in
the Department of Health and Human Services, under the Administration on Children, Youth
and Families, within the Administration for Children and Families. I hope you got all
that. One acronym is the ACYF which FYSB lies directly under. And the umbrella agency is
the Administration for Children and Families. I'm sure you've heard the acronym ACF.
FYSB's four major programs are the Runaway and Homeless Youth Program, Mentoring Children
of Prisoners Program, Family Violence Prevention and Services Program, and our very newest
program, Teen Pregnancy Prevention which includes the Personal Responsibility Education Program,
PREP, and the state abstinence program.
Each year, FYSB’s impact grows. In FY2009, we awarded more than $400 million to states,
tribes and communities to improve conditions for families and youth most at risk. One quarter
of FYSB's grantees in FY2009 were tribal grantees.
I am going to turn it over to one of the staff, LeBretia White, who is the Program Specialist
and is listed in the FOA as the point of contact for any programmatic questions, to talk more
to you about this effort with the PREP program and the abstinence program.
Just as an aside before we start, I wanted to really impress upon you the purposes of
the PREP program and the abstinence program. Both programs promote the replication of evidence
based practices and discussing innovative approaches for teen pregnancy prevention.
Primarily, that's the PREP program. And the abstinence program we will talk about later
on in the presentation. So everything that you will hear initially from LeBretia White
will be all about the PREP program.
So we don't want you to confuse the two programs. And we will give an introduction when we get
to the abstinence program. So not to confuse the different program requirements to the
two separate programs. So I will turn it over to LeBretia White now, the Program Specialist.
>> MS. LEBRETIA WHITE: Good afternoon, everyone. As Debbie said, I'm LeBretia White. And I
will be working with you all very closely over the next few months. We're glad that
you were able to join us this afternoon for our first webinar on these new programs that
Debbie spoke of that are now a part of the Family and Youth Services Bureau.
I just want to direct your attention at this time to the agenda for today's call. Welcome
and introductions. Unfortunately, we will not be able to hear from everyone who's on
the line with us. Today the calls are muted. However, I wanted to make you aware of who
within FYSB and ACYF are participating.
You've already heard from Bryan Samuels who is our Commissioner and Debbie Powell who
is our Acting Associate Commissioner. We also have with us this afternoon Sonali Patel who
is our Senior Policy Advisor. And again myself who will be walking you through most of the
slides this afternoon and introducing you to some of the pertinent areas of the funding
opportunity announcements.
I just want to go back. And again, to review today's agenda, we will be providing an overview
of the funding opportunity announcements. We've already had a review of FYSB. And we'll
make the slides available to you as it relates to the overview of ACYF. For the interest
of time, we have a lot of information to share with you and cover today. As well, we'll provide
for you an overview of PREP and abstinence as it relates to the program expectations,
application content, application submission instructions, as well as post-award state
plans.
And so we will begin. Just to make you aware, not just FYSB alone, but the Office of Grants
Management is a key partner on the federal level for ensuring that funding opportunity
announcements - they go out - as well as the awards are made to those applicants who meet
the criteria. And so the role of the grants management office we want to share with you
is primarily they're responsible for the actual awards that will be made. And any of the business
financial transactions as they relate to your actual award if you are so fortunate to receive
an award. And we're hoping that most of you will. As well as they maintain the official
grant files.
As it relates to the review and award process, ACYF again has taken the lead and we're in
the program office. We will be reviewing all applications and making recommendations to
the Office of Grants Management for award. And the Office of Grants Management in turn
will process those awards and make the necessary notifications to those applicants who are
awarded either the PREP ... I should say PREP and/or abstinence grant.
Again, as Debbie stated, we have expanded into having a Teenage Pregnancy Prevention
Office within FYSB. We have this office because of funds that were actually allocated and
appropriated through legislation back in March of this year as it relates to health care
reform. And so, we have approximately $75 million that we are utilizing for programs
and support and services as it relates to teen pregnancy. Specifically for the state
PREP. The abstinence program, as well as a tribal PREP program that we'll tell you a
little bit more about later. Which we have not as of yet issued a funding opportunity
announcement for.
I just want to make you aware, we've made some modifications to the funding opportunity
announcement for both PREP and abstinence. And that information is currently available.
The modifications primarily will address questions that have been emailed and/or called into
the FYSB office since the funding opportunity announcement was published. And I've provided
for you the web link, actually the ACF website. And if you to grant opportunities, you will
be able to click onto both of those announcements, the funding opportunity announcement. And
you will see the frequently asked questions with responses from FYSB located at that site.
>> MS. DEBBIE POWELL: This is Debbie Powell and I just wanted to make a clarification
and put everybody's mind at ease. The modification is just grant terminology that we use to indicate
that we have not changed anything in the initial FOA that you received, but we've answered
all the questions. And there have been tons of questions that have come in. So the administrative
process that is used to answer your questions is called a modification to the FOA. But the
FOA itself, all of the program requirements, everything that you read initially, has not
changed. So I just want to make that clarification for you.
>> MS. LEBRETIA WHITE: Thank you, Debbie. And also just to add for the abstinence funding
opportunity announcement, there were a couple of inactive links that were part of the announcement
due to underlining. We removed those so that we will not have the issue that we were having
before of persons clicking on and going to an expired funding opportunity announcement.
So we cleaned up some things there.
First we'll start with our PREP program which is our Personal Responsibility Education Program.
And many of you are probably already aware of the funding opportunity number as it applies.
And hopefully, most of you have already had an opportunity to read the announcement. Again,
the legislative authority is the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010. And it was
signed into law by our President on March 23rd, 2010.
The purpose of the funding announcement has several primary goals. One of which is to
fund programs that are designed to educate adolescents on abstinence and contraception,
to prevent pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, which also includes *** and AIDS.
What's important and applicants should key into is that the funding opportunity announcement
definitely has an express purpose that applicants will address at least three adulthood preparation
subjects. And there are a list of those adulthood subjects in the funding opportunity announcement
that you can select or choose from. You can select more than three. But at a minimum,
three are required.
Also, one of the purposes will to be fund state PREP programs in state, territories
and tribal areas. And as I stated earlier, the current PREP announcement doesn't include
tribes. A future announcement will be published later this year or next year, definitely for
FY2011 that will address the tribal.
Another purpose is definitely to replicate evidence-based effective programs. And again,
this is key. We want to make certain that those programs meet rigorous specific evaluation.
So definitely the replication is something again that you need to make certain that you're
addressing as you develop your application and your state plan.
Target population. Primarily, we're looking at young people between the ages of ten and
nineteen that are at risk for early pregnancy and also who are at risk for STIs, *** and
AIDS included, who are located in high birthrate areas and for teens. And so that's the primary
target age. But we also have included ... and this is also a part of the legislation ... pregnant
youth who are under twenty-one, as well as those mothers who are under the age of twenty-one.
Another clause as it relates to the target population, all applicants are encouraged
to serve priority populations as long as there is sound rationale (inaudible) with supporting
data for those populations. And also, you should clearly define the target populations
by age group, priority population when appropriate in geographic areas that have a high teen
birth rate. Who can apply for the PREP program grant?
Actually, the fifty United States as well as territories which include D.C., Puerto
Rico, U.S. *** Islands, Guam, American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands, Federated
states of Micronesia, the Marshall Island and Palau.
We received a lot of questions as it relates to who can make an application. And definitely
the legislation and the FOA specifically outline states and territories. We have used the term
state which will be utilized to include territories as we share additional information with you
about the program. So when we say the word State, we're also including states and jurisdictions
and/or territories.
Funding. The minimum allotted funding for PREP is $250,000. And we also want to draw
your attention to Appendix B of the funding opportunity announcement that provides/identifies
specific allocations for each of the states and/or territories or jurisdictions.
And the formula is determined based on the proportion of young people between the ages
of ten and nineteen in each of the states. And the calculation determined is based upon
the amount of funding available. And that's how we are able to calculate the allocation
for each state. And again, those allocations are in Appendix B of the FOA.
Cost sharing and matching as well as maintenance of effort is required ... well, let me say
cost sharing and matching is not required. But Maintenance of Effort is required for
the PREP. Again, no cost sharing, no matching is required for PREP. Applicants, however,
are welcome to devote resources to the project.
I also want to make you aware that funding grants should build on but not supplant current
federal, state, local or community programs. So this is not replacement funding for programs
and/or services that PREP or teen pregnancy prevention type services would ordinarily
provide to young people in your state. But you can add on for additional coordination
and additional resources to that population.
Award information. This is available to you also with the FOA. We're planning to award,
of course, fifty- nine. Fifty-nine actual grants. And these are mandatory formula grants.
There is no competition. Funding ranges from $250,000 to approximately $6.5 million. Our
project period is up to five years. And we'll talk a little bit more about how that project
period works in relation to the the number of years that are allowed for the expenditure
of grant funds.
The award date is September 30th, 2010, on or before. More than likely it's going to
be September 30th. That's what we're aiming for. We're on a very short timeline as you’re
already aware. But that is our goal to make certain that we're able to award the FY2010
funds. Applicants may only submit one application for PREP. Only one application per State.
Program expectations. There are multiple program expectations listed here. These are also all
included in the FOA. Just to highlight a few. Definitely replication of evidence based effective
programs, developing logic models to include in the post-award plan - specific goals and
objectives. And those logic models we're expecting to see your post-award state plans. And the
first one, emphasizing abstinence and contraception is primary. And both are to be emphasized,
abstinence and contraception.
Providing informational and support activities. And again, emphasize abstinence and contraception.
Making certain that programs and models are age appropriate, medically accurate and complete.
The development of the post-award state plans are also a requirement. Collecting and reporting
on performance measurement data as well as adhering to the evaluation expectations. And
all states will not necessarily be a part of the federal evaluation. But all states
in their application should indicate their availability, willingness to participate in
a federally led evaluation.
As it relates to the program model, we have provided for you a list of potential model
programs, evidence based programs that can be utilized. But this is not an all inclusive
list. You may also choose to select a model that has already undergone other effective,
rigorous, scientific research evaluation. And so you're not limited to those that are
part of the list in Appendix A of the FOA. But those models that are selected, there
should be some evidence of rigorous scientific research on that particular model and its
effectiveness in changing behavior as it relates to *** activity in young people.
We're also looking for models that are presented by applicants ... or for actually applicants
to make certain that models ... that they can adhere to the fidelity of the model. How
well the program is implemented without compromising its core
content and all of that is essential for program effectiveness. But we're looking for information
as it relates to that. And primarily, that information will be presented to us in your
post-award state plan.
Adaptations to the program model. Significant adaptations will more than likely address
the adult preparation subjects which is a requirement based on legislation for this
particular program. And you are required to include at least three of those. As well as
any adaptations that are necessary for abstinence and contraception for prevention of pregnancy
and the sexually transmitted infections, ***/AIDS to be included. The adaptation should not
alter the core components of the program model that you're proposing.
Medical accuracy and age appropriateness are also a requirement. Access to health care
and other resources and support as available and as necessary for the population being
served should also be information that's included in your post-award plan. So we're looking
at what type of coordination, collaboration efforts are in place to address other issues
that young people, who are in need of the pregnancy prevention services, are experiencing.
As it relates to evaluation strategies, we're looking ... we actually again on the federal
level, since we will conduct a federal level evaluation. And additional information regarding
the evaluation is forthcoming to you. We will be providing those prior to the end of the
first year of award.
Additionally, performance measures will be expected to be submitted by all of those awardees.
And again, information in regards to those measures will also be made available prior
to the end of the first year of awards which will be prior to September 30th of 2011. And
primarily again, this is outlined in the FOA. But I wanted to bring to your attention what
these performance measures are as it relates to what we're looking for in your reporting
of the performance measure data.
Moving on to the application process. Applications are due on August 30th. And there are some
standard documents that are required for submission. There are several standard medical forms that
need to be submitted with your application that is due on August 30th. The first one
being the SF424 and the SFP/PSL. That is a new form indicating project performance site
locations. A new form that ACF is now utilizing. You may not be able to complete it in its
entirety with your application submission. Complete what you can. Because we know that
many of your sub-awards have not been determined at this point and the specific site for the
service delivery. However, we definitely do need those forms completed to the best of
your ability. And you will have an opportunity to update them with actual information when
you submit your post-award state plan.
The SF-424A form is for budget information. Again, we're looking for your best effort
there. We know that all of your collaboration and determinations for areas of service will
not be determined by August 30th, but provide us with as much information as you can on
that particular document as well. And you'll have an opportunity to submit modifications
with the post-award state plan.
The fourth one, SF-424B, assurance and construction is fairly straight forward. And you should
have no problems completing and obtaining the necessary signatures and dates for that.
As well as the others certification regarding funding and the certification regarding environmental
tobacco smoke.
As it relates to disclosure of lobbying activities, that form is also required. And you more than
likely will be submitting a more comprehensive form as it relates to the SFLLL when you're
submitting your post-award state plan based upon lobbying information relative to your
sub-awardees, if applicable.
I want to make a special note to include your DUNS D&B Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS)
number on the SF424 in item number 8B. And there are instructions listed on the funding
opportunity announcement on how you can obtain the DND or the DUNS number.
This slide provides a breakout of all of the budget categories on the SF424A. And also
most of the categories, definitely, yeah, they are all there. And I'd just like to bring
your attention to travel. As it relates to travel, we look at what's out of state or
long distance travel in that particular category. We'll draw your attention to the funding opportunities
announcement which includes a requirement for one three-day annual meeting as well as
one two-day regional meeting. There have been quite a few questions submitted
via phone and email as it relates to access to the SF or standard federal forms. We have
here a links. And that information is also provided in the modified funding opportunity
announcement under the frequently asked questions.
The contents of the application submission of the standard form which we've already reviewed
would also include the letter from the authorized representative or transmittal letter. We received
a significant number of questions in regard to this particular item. This information
should be submitted by the state agency that was delegated by your governor's office or
governing official who actually make application for PREP. It can also include citations or
a citation that establishes the authorized representative, authority to apply for and
administer the PREP grant program on behalf of the state.
This transmittal should be submitted with your application. You should also include
the Code of Federal Domestic Assistance number. And I've provided that for you. It's also
located in your FOA, in your copy for the FOA. Again, I want to reiterate, the governor's
office or governing official's office in your state or jurisdiction determines the designated
department or agency authorized to make application for the PREP grant.
Another item for your application that should be included is the abbreviated program narrative.
Due to the limited amount of time for responses to the published FOA, which is thirty days.
And again, I just want to reiterate the due date is August 30th, we have provided for
you the opportunity to submit an abbreviated program narrative that provides some general
program description information. And again, we will look forward to more descriptive,
concise information in your state plan. But we definitely need to have a glimpse of what
your state is proposing as it relates to the requirements of PREP programs.
The abbreviated program narrative formatting should be double spaced, 8 1/2 X 11 inch size
pages. And that's letter size. One inch margins, top, bottom, left and right. And the twelve
point font. All pages, charts, figures, tables, all items that are part of the abbreviated
program narrative, must be numbered. And the maximum number of pages for the abbreviated
program narrative is ten pages.
As it relates to funding restrictions, we have a number of funding restrictions. However,
I would want to highlight for you that the drawdown of award funds will be restricted
pending the submission of your post- award state plan. And that's for those states that
are awarded PREP grant funds. Once those funds are made available to you, which should be
September 30th, there is a restriction on drawdown until the post- award state plan
has been submitted.
As it relates to maintenance of efforts again, this was mentioned a little earlier, the funds
are not intended for supplanting or reducing your current levels of services as it relates
to teen pregnancy prevention. But definitely as an add on to those services, making additional
services available to those populations. It is not again for the purpose of supplanting.
And that's what the maintenance of effort statement in the FOA represents. Making certain
that states can show that they're actually adding additional services for young people
and for youth as it relates to teen pregnancy prevention. And again, the support of those
pregnant and parenting mothers that are under the age of twenty-one.
Sub-awards. What's important here is that states are only eligible applicants if awarded
the PREP grant. And states are responsible for fiscal control and oversight in the administration
of those grant funds. States may make sub-awards. And those sub-awards will not be ... or the
manner in which those sub- awards are made will not be dictated to you by the Family
and Youth Services Bureau or the federal government, but should be in compliance with your state
and local policies, regulations and legislation as it relates to sub-awards, be it a contract
or sub-grant.
If there are any questions, again, you can type those in. But you will not have the ability
to speak during the webinar. Application submission instructions. Again, the application due date
is August 30th for FY2010 funds. As you may have read in the application, we will have
funds available for 2011 as well. And states can opt to make applications. They have the
option of making an application in April for FY2010 and FY2011 funds that are allocated
based on state allocations again as indicated in Appendix B of the FOA. And so you have
an option to submit an application on the 30th based on FY2010 funds that are available.
You also have the option of making an application on April 29th, 2011 for 2011 funds as well
as 2010 funds.
>> MS. DEBBIE POWELL: This is Debbie Powell again, the Acting Associate Commissioner.
I want you to know that that April date, you can submit something before that. If you chose
to submit a 2011 application, you may submit the application on or before April 29th. If
you are prepared to submit two requests for applications at 2010 and 2011, you may do
so by August 30th. However, please, please be clear that we have a separate chart in
the FOA for the documents that are required in the 2011 submissions. We're really not
sure that people will be submit their 2011 application by August 30th, but you may. And
then you can submit your 2011 anytime up to April 29th, 2011. So we don't want you to
think that you have to wait until April 29th, 2011. If you are ready to submit an application
for 2011, fine.
>> MS. LEBRETIA WHITE: And one other point of clarity as well. If you decide not to apply
for 2010 funds, you also have that option. You can just submit an application as Debbie
stated for FY2011. Solely for 2011. Without requesting 2010 funds. But you have the option
of that as well.
>> MS. DEBBIE POWELL: But you can also ... because it's a five year program for 2010 until 2014,
if you just can't submit your application in 2010 by August 30th or September 30th.
You can also submit your application for '10 and '11 as well. So you don't have to say,
well, I can't get it done by 2010. But that does not prohibit you from submitting two
applications in 2011.
Meaning, you're going to submit an application for 2011 and provide to us all the information
we ask you to provide in that chart. And you can also go back and say I also want my funds
for 2010 as well. And you have to submit to us the application as well as the state plan.
So I'm hoping that's clear. And if it's not clear, please start to develop your questions
now.
>> MS. LEBRETIA WHITE: All right. How to submit your application. Unfortunately, we were not
able to utilize grants.gov, the electronic submission process. So the only two ways at
this point that you can submit those applications would be either by mail or hand delivery.
Please do not submit applications via facsimile or via email. The only option for submitting
applications again will be via hand delivery or U.S. or overnight mail, whatever mail service
you select. And those applications should be submitted to my attention at the address
that's provided in the funding opportunity announcement and here.
Application tips. Just to reiterate, please make certain you adhere to the requirements
for submitting your application as it relates to the abbreviated program narrative. We need
an original as well as a copy. So you'll be submitting two, an original and two copies.
Let me restate that. You will submit an original and two copies of your complete application
package. This is your standard federal forms, your abbreviated program narrative.
I would advise you to definitely to go the FOA and section four and read through the
charts that are provided that speak to the documents that are required for the application
and the state plan. No double sided copies please and no other extraneous material.
Application tips. Definitely reading the FOA is essential to understand how to submit your
application as well as post-award state plans. We will be providing additional information
as far as technical assistance as it relates to the state plans at a later time. But definitely
you want to make certain you read the FOA and make certain that your abbreviated program
narrative does not exceed the ten pages as requested. And that you meet the due date
of August 30th. Again, that date is crucial in order for us to make awards by September
30th for FY2010 PREP dollars.
Another step. Follow what the FOA says. Pretty much the requirements are very well laid out
there. And if you follow them, you should have no problem submitting the documents that
are needed for review and award.
Award notices will be made shortly after September 30th. And those awards will come to you from
our Office of Grants Management in the form of a financial assistance award document.
And there will also be a cover letter that speaks to the award, your award, and any other
special instructions that need to be followed at that time.
Post-award state plans as it relates to PREP. Again, we're going to provide additional information
through technical assistance. But there are some basics that are outlined there for you
in the funding opportunity announcement as it relates to information that we will need.
Actually, the FOA is really specific as it relates to the information to be submitted
about program implementation, development, your models, your sub-awardees, any implementation
plan. All of that information again is laid out
in your Section four of the funding opportunity announcement. But we will be providing you
additional information prior to due date for those plans. And that due date is February
1, 2011. All proposals for state plans must be submitted no later than February 1, 2011.
Again, a state plan, as Debbie stated, with the application, state plans can be submitted
prior to the actual due date. But the actual due date is February 1. The required documents
are listed here. Also, they're outlined again. I redirect your attention to the table that's
in the funding opportunity announcement in Section four.
The standard federal form that I spoke about to be included in your application, those
forms, as applicable, can be resubmitted with your state plan with any edits, modifications
or updates in that your sub-awards and also possibly the selection of the specific actual
target communities, target population groups, geographical areas, may not be determined
until you move into your planning phase.
What FYSB will do in terms of your post-award is to review them. Definitely we will have
technical staff take a look at the medical accuracy of the curricula that's being reported
for your particular state. And we're asking that you not submit curricular related information
along with your application if you withhold that information until you submit your post-award
state plan.
I said a little earlier, we indicated that there is funding also allocated for PREP for
tribal communities. And at this point, funding opportunity announcements are not available
... a funding opportunity announcement is not available for the tribe PREP funding.
But it will be published in the very near future. And so here, we provided you information
on how you can receive updates from grants.gov as it relates to forecasts for future announcements.
>> MS. DEBBIE POWELL: This is Debbie Powell again. And wanted to give you some additional
information about the tribal opportunity announcements. The PREP statute requires that the funding
opportunity announcement be developed in consultation with tribes and tribal organizations. So that
is the primary reason why we could not have the tribal FOA on the same track as the state
FOA. We are now in the process of fulfilling that requirement of tribal consultation.
And anyone that's interested, I'd like to tell you that on the FYSB website, we have
information about tribal consultation, things that you will be attending to gather information
about how they feel the FOA should look. We also have a national conference call scheduled.
We had one conference call in July. We have three more scheduled between now and October.
So anyone interested in the tribal FOA, please go to the FYSB website and look at the dates
of the tribal conference calls and the location that we will attend and provide status reports
and updates about the FOA design.
>> MS. LEBRETIA WHITE: Thank you, Debbie. All right. We're going to look to see what
questions they have as it relates to PREP that we can respond to now before moving onto
discuss things about the abstinence program. If you can bear with us for a second. There
are a lot of questions here. So bear with us as we try to pull up a few of them.
Okay. One of the questions that we have here is if we are the state designated Title V
NCH agency, are we the only agency who can apply? And the answer to that is no. States
do not have to utilize the identified Title V department or agency within that state for
application for PREP, to make application for the PREP program.
>> MS. DEBBIE POWELL: The governor, and in other jurisdictions, the governing body will
decide for that state what office will represent the state for the PREP program. We are not
aware of any designations at this point. But the states are aware they do have a copy of
the FOA. And it's the state's responsibility to identify what office within their state
should administer PREP programs.
>> MS. LEBRETIA WHITE: Okay. We have one other question that we may be able to get to. And
that states even though there will be a second PREP opportunity for tribes, are states allowed
to support PREP activities in tribal areas with the state prep dollars?
>> MS. DEBBIE POWELL: The statute has no provision for what population you serve, as long as
the population fits the criteria in the legislation. So, the answer would be no. If a state decides
that the target population they choose to serve is in compliance with the statute as
it relates to age and at-risk populations, yes, you may include those populations as
your target population. >> MS. LEBRETIA WHITE: Okay. There is another
question that relates to the maintenance of effort. And the question is is there an MOE
with this maintenance of effort for the PREP grant? And yes, there is. And there is a section
within the FOA that speaks to the maintenance of effort.
>> MS. DEBBIE POWELL: We did address the MOE. And it is in your slide presentation. And
we'll go back to it. We'll have LeBretia restate the requirements of the MOE to not supplant
funding that is currently being used to support teen pregnancy prevention programs, but to
supplement. So give us a second to go back to that slide.
>> MS. LEBRETIA WHITE: As it relates to maintenance of effort, just to reiterate what Debbie has
just stated again, supplanting and reducing levels as it relates to teen pregnancy prevention,
is that the purpose of PREP dollars? And PREP dollars or funding cannot be utilized for
PREP. And the activities that qualify under maintenance of effort are non-federal supported
activities, programs and initiatives to educate youth on both abstinence and contraception
for the prevention of pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections which again includes
***/AIDS. And also what's included are the adulthood preparations of the requirements
for this project. And let's see if we can get one more question answered before we move
on.
By signing your form. Okay. The certification regarding environmental tobacco smoke does
not have the grade four signature. I'm assuming that's okay. Let's take a second look back
at that form, Debbie.
>> MS. DEBBIE POWELL: When you sign your SF424 and when you sign the application form that
you are requesting to have funding allotted to your states, you are certifying that you
are aware of the certification for tobacco free and you are agreeing to that certification.
>> MS. LEBRETIA WHITE: And we have a question regarding budgets. How many years of budgets
can we submit with the abbreviated application for PREP? For FY2010 only or for FY2010 and
2011?
>> MS. DEBBIE POWELL: If you're submitting your application by August 30th for FY2010
funding, you're only submitting the budget for that year. You submit your application
for funding for 2011 prior to or on April 29th, you will be submitting it for 2011.
The expectation is that you will submit a budget for each year of funding.
>> MS. LEBRETIA WHITE: If we submit our state plan before February 1, would we be able to
draw down funds before the due date?
>> MS. DEBBIE POWELL: Yes, if you submit ... the form specifies that the state plan is due
on or before February 1. And you may be able to draw down your funds with the submission
of the state plan. So, yes. With the submission of the state plan and our review, if it happens
before February 1, yes, you can draw down your funds.
>> MS. LEBRETIA WHITE: Thank you so much for your questions. But we will not be able to
address all of them at this time. We will probably be able to record these and be able
to respond accordingly.
>> MS. DEBBIE POWELL: And please, we would direct you to the modification. Because I
think you'll find that many if not all of your questions will be answered for those
people who asked questions see the modifications to the FOA.
>> MS. LEBRETIA WHITE: Okay. At this time, we're going to switch gears and speak to the
State Abstinence funding opportunity announcement. Again, very similar legislation authority
as that of the PREP. One of the differences would be in the first bullet for this slide
as it relates to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is that the requirements
should be in Section 2954 as it relates to the restoration of abstinence funding for
the abstinence program. The other this information is very similar and it's available to you
in your funding opportunity announcement.
The purpose of this particular funding announcement which is different from PREP is that it promotes
abstinence from *** activity. Develop flexible, medical accurate and effective applicant based
plans is one of the purposes that are responsive to specific needs. Another purpose is to provide
abstinence education as well as providing mentoring, counseling and adult supervision
to promote abstinence from *** activity where appropriate.
The target population slide primarily says we're expecting projects to focus on groups
that are most likely to bear children out of wedlock such as youth that are aging out
of foster care. That's just one example. And additional information again is provided in
the FOA as it relates to the target population for the abstinence program.
Who's eligible to apply? This slide is pretty much identical to PREP in that applicants
are inclusive of the fifty United States as well as the nine jurisdictions and/or territories
that are listed here and also listed in your FOA.
Funding for the state abstinence program. The actual determination of allotment are
quite different from that of PREP. And actually, a formula is used to determine the state proportion
of low income children compared to the total number of low income children in the all states
based on the most recent Census data for children in poverty.
And I just want to point your attention to the FOA, to Appendix A, where you'll see a
list of each of the states, territories and/or jurisdictions with their allotments. The allotment
or allocation will range from $21,000 to approximately $6.1 million. And again, Census data drives
the determination for those allocations, as well as available funding which is $50 million
in total for the state abstinence program.
As it relates to cost sharing, cost sharing matching is a requirement. Cost sharing definitely
is required. Unlike PREP, there is no cost sharing or matching for PREP. But for state
abstinence, cost sharing is a requirement. The applicant must fund at least 40 percent
of the project ... 43 percent. Thank you, Debbie. The applicant must fund at least 43
percent. And ACF will fund no more than 57 percent. An example is provided. If a state's
total program cost is $100,000, ACF will award $57,000. And the state must provide a match
for the cost sharing of $43,000.
Again, it is our goal to award upwards of 59 awards based opon applications. Again,
this is a mandatory formula grant , similar to that of PREP. The funding range that we're
looking at for the abstinence, we've already reviewed that one. I'll move on.
Okay. The program's abstinence education. For the state's abstinence education program,
primarily we are looking for applicants who can provide abstinence education to those
target populations that were mentioned earlier. The determination of relative emphasis to
be placed on each of the required A through H components, also an expectation all of the
components A through H, must be a part of the project and/or program.
However, we are leaving it to the discretion of the state applicants to determine the relative
emphasis. The level of emphasis that you place based on A through H requirements. And you'll
find that in Section I of the funding opportunity announcement with the alphabets A through
H noting those components.
>> MS. DEBBIE POWELL: We've identified the section in the FOA that specifies what the
funding for abstinence can be used for. I want to bring your attention to that same
section would specify that states may also use their funds for mentoring, counseling
or prevention programs to promote abstinence. So that’s also very prominent in the fact
sheet and in our FOA. So I wanted to bring your attention to that narrative there.
>> MS. LEBRETIA WHITE: All right. Also definitely want to make certain the expectation is met,
the abstinence activity is an outcome, an expected outcome, of your project. And that
programs are medically accurate and effective at reducing teen pregnancy.
Other expectations would include that applicants use the logic model. And the logic model would
be inclusive of specific goals and objectives for the ... it is teen pregnancy prevention.
But for the abstinence education program. Also that you would develop a post-award state
plan. Reporting performance measurement data is also an expectation or requirement.
Medical accuracy would be another component that we're looking for in your application
and/or state plan. That the actual model for the particular project that you select would
include the requirements for medical accuracy which means the medical information would
be verified and reported and research conducted in compliance with accepted scientific methods
and published in peer review journals where applicable. And additional information to
substantiate medical accuracy as part of what we're looking for
in your application is also included in the FOA. There's a section in Section I, a subsection
in Section 1, that speaks specifically to medical accuracy.
Application documents. Again, to redirect your attention to Section IV in the funding
opportunity announcement, there are charts available there for you that speak to what
documents are required for your application versus your state plan, the post-award state
plan, that will be viewed in February. As part of the application, we definitely need
those standard forms. The list is very similar to that list that was reviewed for PREP programs.
The only exception is the abstinence programs, we are not requiring that you submit the SF424A.
Again, all the forms are the same except for state abstinence. You will have an opportunity
to submit the SF424A which provides for us the budget breakout based upon the pre-established
category for your budget, for your federal funding as well as for your match funding.
And that information is to be submitted with your state plan.
If you opt to submit it with your application, that's fine. But the requirement is that it
should be submitted with your post-award state plan. Again, to remind you to include the
DUNS number in item 8C on your SF424 application.
>> MS. DEBBIE POWELL: And just to connect the abstinence with the question we had for
PREP about if you submit your post-award state plan prior to the date that it's due, can
you draw down? With abstinence, when you submit your post-award state plan and it is approved
by AFC and FYSB, you will then be given the approval to draw down your funds. So it must
be an approved plan. And then you get the go ahead to draw down your funds.
>> MS. LEBRETIA WHITE: Again, just to share with you, in the FAQ based upon submission,
we uploaded, modified, the funding opportunity announcement to include some of the frequently
asked questions that we've received to date. And if you look at that list in the modified
funding opportunity announcements, you will find them at this web link that we've provided.
Here for you as well is where you can find those fillable, downloadable forms to be submitted
with your application and/or state plan.
I just want to reiterate one other thing as it relates to the standard forms. Again, if
you are submitting the required forms with your application and after the planning process
determine that there should be edits, modifications or updates, please resubmit those forms noting
or indicating those modifications. Actually, you would not need to submit the previously
submitted documents. But go in and actually fill and download and submit new forms that
speak to the modifications.
Parts of the application also would include the letter from the authorized representative.
We're also referring to that document as the transmittal letter. Also again, that needs
to be included. And if you would pay attention to the notes on this slide, again, lots of
questions have come to FYSB as it relates to how that determination is made for the
state agency to select the agency that will make application for the state abstinence
program.
Again, one of the questions about being a Title V was asked earlier today too. The agency
that makes application within the state are designated by the governor's office or government
official does not have to be the declared Title V agency for that state. The governor,
governor's office, governing official for your territory, jurisdiction can make a determination
of any of the states agencies and/or departments to make application for state abstinence.
And again, there needs to be a citation or some other form of documentation that establishes
the agency that is making application as being designated by the governor's office or the
governing official's office.
The application asterisk and abbreviated programs narrative. Statement and process statement.
Again, we're asking for general descriptions of how you plan to utilize and implement the
abstinence program with additional details to follow in your state plan.
The formatting is pretty much the same as that of the state PREP program. The only difference
here will be less updated for the abbreviated program narrative. For the state abstinence,
the maximum length of pages for the abbreviated program narrative is five pages. For PREP,
it's ten pages. And again, that includes all the patients charts, figures, tables. It is
not inclusive of the standard form. Standard forms do not have to be numbered.
I think restrictions are very similar with both programs for asking, requesting, requiring
applicants that are awarded abstinence funds not to draw down those funds until your post-award
state plan has been submitted and approved. It has to be submitted and approved before
those funds can be drawn down.
Sub-awards. Again, bring your attention to note. States are the only eligible applicant.
So when those sub-awards are made ... and again, to reiterate, sub-awards that are made
are at the discretion of the state based upon your state and/or local regulations, policies
and legislation.
Application submission instruction. Again, the due date is August 30th. We've probably
said that 1,000 times today. But we want to make certain everyone is clear of that due
date. And make certain that you get those applications into us either by mail or hand
delivery to the attention of LeBretia White. And the address provided here and in your
FOA.
Again, there is no option to submit the application electronically through grants.gov. Please
do not submit applications via facsimile or email.
>> MS. DEBBIE POWELL: I just noticed a little inconsistency. I don't want you to think that
the abstinence and the PREP are going to different buildings or different suite numbers. And
so the suite number should read 8000. It reads 8000 on the PREP. And it should read 8000
on the abstinence. But just add another zero. Thank you.
>> MS. LEBRETIA WHITE: Okay. The applications are basically the same. I just want to draw
your attention that we will need an original and two copies to be submitted. I can't say
enough please read the FOA. All of the instructions are there as it relates to your application
and state's plan. Even though we provide additional support around development of those plans
what we're looking for in those submissions. And please do follow what the FOA says.
Award notices. Again, the Office of Grants Management will provide notification as it
relates to awards made after the review of the application.
Post-award state plans for state abstinence. The information is very similar to that that
was provided for us at state PREP. And it's very well defined in the funding opportunity
announcement in Section IV. I would suggest that you read that very closely and clearly.
And again, we'll have opportunity to provide additional information to you as to what once
awards are made as it relates to post-award state plans.
>> MS. DEBBIE POWELL: So please take note that there are two different due dates for
the post-award state plan. For abstinence, it's December 10th. For PREP, it's February
1st. So I just don't want you to get those two confused.
>> MS. LEBRETIA WHITE: And again, I would turn your attention to Section IV. I would
say it's A, Subsection A, that speaks to a chart that provides an outline for you as
to which documents are to be submitted. And there is additional narrative to Section IV
(inaudible) and more specifically defines the program narrative which is quite more
of an extensive document that we're looking for with your post- award state plan versus
the five page abbreviated program narrative with your application.
There was a general question that came to FYSB in regard to both of the funding opportunity
announcements for those states who were completing the applications. They wanted to know the
period for our fiscal year. And so we provided that information for you. And I'll just give
you the first. For fiscal year 2010, you'll see the importance of us receiving and reviewing
and awarding your applications by September 30th. Because that is the final date of the
fiscal year FY2010. And we definitely want to have those funds available to you if at
all possible by 2010. Again, for a PREP just know that if you are unable to make the August
deadline, you can also apply for FY2010 funds with an application in FY2011.
>> MS. DEBBIE POWELL: And just a point of clarification. I told you earlier that the
five year program and funds are available for PREP from 2010 through 2014. For abstinence,
it's a little different. It's a yearly appropriated program. So that's what we're saying for abstinence,
it's just crucial that we make award by September 30th, 2010. Because the money is no longer
available as of October 1.
So that's the difference between the programs. The PREP program is a five year appropriate
program. The abstinence program is appropriated on a yearly basis. So we must have money out
the door before the end of that appropriated year, which is September 30th. And when I
say out the door, that means it has to actually be in the system, in the grant system, and
obligated. You won't be able to draw down. But the award will be actually made obligated
in our federal system. So it will give the appearance that the money has been used. So
it won't lapse and go back to Treasury. So that's the difference between the two programs
as it relates to appropriation.
>> MS. LEBRETIA WHITE: Okay. Thank you, Debbie. I don't know if we've mentioned either the
funds that are awarded for FY10 for the state PREP program that states will have two additional
years to extend those dollars if they made application and awarded by September 30th.
>> MS. DEBBIE POWELL: Thank you LeBretia for bringing that up. But I don't want to say
that at this point. Because it's really clearly identified in your FOA. So I don't want to
confuse anybody about the funding. So basically both programs ... which is a good thing I
think. The statute allows that both programs have the opportunity to spend their money
in a two year period. So if you get funded in 2010, you get an opportunity until 2012
to actually spend all of your money before it goes back to the Treasury. And I think
that's the way the abstinence was before.
So it's not a change for the people on the line that was awarded an abstinence grant
in the past, a state abstinence grant in the past. Prefacing these programs. But it's all
in the FOA. We're not saying anything that's not identified in the FOA. And I also want
to remind you again that on our website at least we've already loaded the FAQ, which
is the frequently asked questions, on our website. And they will answer all the questions
that we receive by telephone and in writing. It's a very comprehensive document. And I
really think that once it's read along with your FOA that everything will be cleared and
everything will be answered at that point.
>> MS. LEBRETIA WHITE: Thank you, Debbie. We have approximately five additional minutes
left. So we will try to respond to as many questions as possible. We have a question
for clarification of date. The question is can you clarify the April 29th, 2011 and February
1, 2011 due date? And that question I'm assuming is in reference to the state PREP. Okay. The
April 29th, 2011 dates is the deadline for FY2011 application for the state PREP program.
And what's due on the 29th are your applications as well as your state plans. And that's for
the state PREP.
>> MS. DEBBIE POWELL: And that's for 2011. And you will see ... I want to give you some
background about why we have a two step process in 2010 is because we wanted to give you ample
opportunity, ample time, to really give us a quality product and to have your program
really thought out. And we knew three days would not give that to you. So we did it in
a two-step process. We only asked you in the initial package application which is due August
30th just to give us the basic form. The form that will allow us to go into the system and
allocate that money.
So that's what you have for your application for funding. And that's why we asked you to
abbreviate your narrative and keep it to ten pages for the PREP. We wanted to impress upon
you that we're not looking for a lot from you. Because we understand you will not have
the time to really put together a comprehensive package.
So that's why the two step process. And that's why the restriction of ten pages for PREP
and five pages for abstinence. We were hoping that we were sending you the signals that
we don't expect you to have to pull your hair out and try to put together a whole package
for us.
The April 29th, 2011 date is because ... and you'll see in your FOA we explain to you that
the statute clearly says that the state had not submitted an application for 2010 or 2011,
that that funding will go to organizations, nonprofit organizations, in your state. So
we must know that information by a certain time. So we'll know we have a different FOA
for that particular state to ask organizations to come in and apply for that money.
So that's what the April 29th date is giving us. It's giving the federal government notice
that the state that submits something in 2011 that didn't submit in 2010 that they actually
do want their money or they don't want their money. If they don't want the money because
they didn't submit anything in '10 or '11, we now will go and put a funding opportunity
announcement out for various agencies to apply for that money for that particular state.
It will be a discretionary grant application. And all that is identified and explained to
you in the FOA.
>> MS. LEBRETIA WHITE: All right. And we have another question. If we are able to submit
our post- award state plan early (before February 1, 2011), does that mean we can draw down
our fund before then? Does the February 1 that relates to our state PREP? Yes, it does
you some initial lead time. You do need to review, however, your state plan. But it could
potentially decrease the amount of time before you are allowed to draw down funds.
>> MS. DEBBIE POWELL: So we take you back to FOA and tell you that that's the due date
for your post- award state plan for February 1. But it also gives you another date in that
FOA to allow the government time to review. So if you submit your FOA ... I mean, your
post-award state plan on March 18th, that may not give the federal government enough
time to review that plan in order for you to be able to draw down your funds a day later.
So that's also explained in the FOA.
So we have to have time to review the plans we receive. So we can't guarantee that you
can submit your state plan one week that your funds will be available to you to drawn down
on the next week. But the earlier you submit them, the better that chance is.
>> MS. LEBRETIA WHITE: I think we can take maybe one last question because we are running
out of time. What can restricted funds be used for? The restricted funds are ... we're
asking that you not draw down those dollars. There's restriction to not utilize the funds
until the state plan is submitted, reviewed and approved.
>> MS. LEBRETIA WHITE: Your restricted funds, your whole allotment. So if you're from California,
say, I don't even have the allotment table in front of me. But if you get $6 million
because that is your allotment, that's what it is in California, that means that you cannot
draw down any of that allotment money until your plan has been submitted ... your post-award
state plan has been submitted and the federal government has reviewed it and given you the
approval. And we will identify for you when that review time has been completed and we'll
let you know that your funds are now ready to be drawn down. All of your allotment will
be restricted until we receive the post-award state plan, it is reviewed and approved.
>> MS.LEBRETIA WHITE: Okay. Unfortunately, we are out of time. There are a few more questions.
We will try to review those. And if possible or if necessary, if they're not already answered
with the FAQs that are now a part of the modified FOA, we'll make that information available.
Again, we are out of time. It is now 5:30. We want to thank all of you for participating
with us today. Hopefully, this information was beneficial, it was helpful to you, as
you're developing your application. We encourage you ... I can't say it enough ... definitely
always reference back to your FOA. Because it gives you specific instructions on what
to do, what …., what description, category, as it relates to the requirements. So please
heavily depend upon the funding opportunity announcement.
We look forward to working with those of you who will receive awards. And thank you for
your participation on today. I'm going to ask Debbie if you have any closing remarks.
>> MS. DEBBIE POWELL: This is Debbie Powell again. I want to also thank you for your interest.
I'm really excited about the number of participants we have on the line today. So that means that
there's going to be a great imitative out there for teen pregnancy prevention for our
young people.
For the FAQ, Frequently Asked Questions, what we also did to help you, we actually referenced
each section in the FOA where you could find the answers to questions that you asked. We
answer your question. But we paraphrase right out of FOA. You will see that there's nothing
new or changed in the FOA. Because we reference each one of our answers back to where it can
be located in the FOA.
So thank you once again. And thank you once again and good evening. Is Wendy back on the
line?
>> MS. LEBRETIA WHITE: I'm not hearing from her. And so I'm assuming we're all done. Again,
as Wendy stated at the beginning of the call, we will make information from this webinar
available to you through the FYSB website. And that information will be available to
you ... again, it's the FYSB website. And you'll have to look to the immediate right
of the home page for new information. We currently don't have a specific link among the other
general links for all the programs under FYSB. Because this is so new. But you should see
a link to the immediate right of the FYSB home page that will provide you a general
link to the recording and our information based on today's discussion. Again, thank
you and have a great evening.