Request for Applications Under the Office of Community Services' Fiscal Year 1998 Combined Program Announcement

A. Program Announcements

Individual Program Announcements for FY 1998 will not be published in the Federal Register. Rather, OCS is publishing this Combined Program Announcement in the Federal Register. Where applicable, this Combined Program Announcement contains the following information for each of the above-listed programs: Legislative Authority; Eligible Applicants and Availability of Funds; Eligible Activities; Review Criteria; Project Period and Budget Period; Type of Awards; Matching Requirement; Date of Application Kit; Application Due Date; and Program Contact Person. Detailed information on how to obtain Application Kits containing additional

program information, forms, and instructions for preparing and submitting applications can be found in the next paragraph.

B. General Instructions

In order to be considered for a grant under this Combined Program Announcement, an application must be submitted on the forms supplied and in the manner prescribed by OCS. Detailed descriptions of evaluation criteria which will be used to determine award selection is contained in the Application Kit. When requesting an Application Kit, the applicant must specify the particular Program for which detailed information is desired. This is to ensure receipt of all necessary forms and information, including any program-specific evaluation criteria. Applications Kits for each program include all necessary forms and instructions; they are available for reading and downloading from the Internet at the OCS Website at: www.acf.dhhs.gov/ programs/ocs

C. Application Submission

Mailed applications shall be considered as meeting an announced deadline if they are either received on or before the deadline date or sent on or before the deadline date and received by ACF in time for the independent review to: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Division of Discretionary Grants and Audit Resolution, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, S.W., Mail Stop 6C-462, Washington, D.C. 20447; with the note ``Attention: [insert Name of Program or CFDA #]''. Mailed applications for the REACH program should be addressed to: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Community Services, Division of Community Demonstration Programs, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, S.W., 5th Floor West, Washington, D.C. 20447; Attention: Application for REACH Program. Applicants must ensure that a legibly dated U.S. Postal Service postmark or a legibly dated, machine produced postmark of a commercial mail service is affixed to the envelope/package containing the application(s). To be acceptable as proof of timely mailing, a postmark from a commercial mail service must include the logo/emblem of the commercial mail service company and must reflect the date the package was received by the commercial mail service company from the applicant. Private Metered postmarks shall not be acceptable as proof of timely mailing. (Applicants are cautioned that express/overnight mail services do not always deliver as agreed.) Applications handcarried by applicants, applicant couriers, or by other representatives of the applicant shall be considered as meeting an announced deadline if they are received on or before the deadline date, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., EST, at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Division of Discretionary Grants and Audit Resolution, ACF Mailroom, 2nd Floor Loading Dock, Aerospace Center, 901 D Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20024, between Monday and Friday (excluding Federal holidays). The address must appear on the envelope/ package containing the application with the note ``Attention: [insert Program Name or CFDA #]''. (Applicants are cautioned that express/overnight mail services do not always deliver as agreed.) ACF cannot accommodate transmission of applications by fax or through other electronic media. Therefore, applications transmitted to ACF electronically will not be accepted regardless of date or time of submission and time of receipt.

Late Applications

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

Extension of Deadlines

ACF may extend application deadlines when circumstances such as acts of God (floods, hurricanes, etc.) occur, or when there are widespread disruptions of the mail service. Determinations to extend or waive deadline requirements rest with ACF's Chief Grants Management Officer.

D. Programs Included in This Combined Program Announcement

Pertinent information of concern for potential applicants for each of the above-listed programs is set forth below:

1. Urban and Rural Community Economic Development (CFDA # 93.570)

Deadline Date: May 15, 1998. (A) Legislative Authority: Section 681(a) and 681(b) (2) of the Community Services Block Grant Act, as amended. (B) Eligible Applicants and Availability of Funds: The OCS is authorized to make funds available to support program activities of national or regional significance to alleviate the causes of poverty in distressed communities with special emphasis on community and economic development activities:

(1) Operational Grants (Sub-Priority Area 1.1)

Funds are awarded for the purpose of providing employment and ownership opportunities for low-income people through business, physical or commercial development. Eligible applicants are private, locally initiated, non-profit community development corporations (CDCs), governed by a board consisting of low income residents of the community and business and civic leaders which has as a principal purpose planning, developing, or managing low income housing or community development projects. Funds Available: $17,000,000. Approximately 25 grants will be awarded competitively.

(2) Historically Black Colleges and Universities (Sub-Priority Area 1.2)

Funds are awarded to CDCs in conjunction with HBCUs for the purposes stated above. The CDC must partner with an HBCU and the HBCU must play a significant role in the project. Maximum grant award will not exceed $350,000. Funds Available: $2,100,000. Approximately 6 grants will be awarded competitively.

(3) Pre-Development Grants (Sub-Priority Area 1.3)

Funds are provided to recently established CDCs which need funds for evaluating the feasibility of potential projects which address identified needs in low income communities, develop a business plan related to one of those projects, and mobilize resources to be contributed to one of those projects. Eligible applicants are private, locally initiated, non-profit community development corporations (CDCs), governed by a board consisting of low income residents of the community and business and civic leaders. In addition, the CDCs must not have received prior OCS funding; have been in existence for no more than 3 years or have been in existence longer than 3 years, but have no record of participating in economic development-type projects. Maximum grant award will not exceed $75,000. Funds Available: $750,000. Approximately 10 grants will be awarded competitively.

(4) Developmental Grants (Sub-Priority Area 1.4)

Funds are awarded in the form of discretionary grants through a competitive process to provide employment and community

development opportunities for low income individuals through business, physical or commercial development. Maximum grant award will not exceed $250,000. Eligible applicants are organizations which received pre- development grants from OCS in FY 1995 and FY 1996. Funds Available: $2,500,000. Approximately 10 grants will be awarded competitively.

(5) Administration and Management Expertise (Sub-Priority Area 1.5)

Funds are awarded in the form of discretionary grants through a competitive process to provide administrative and management expertise to OCS funded grantees who have less experience in dealing with the day-to-day issues and challenges presented in promoting community economic development as well as to those grantees who have encountered difficulties in operationalizing their work program. Eligible applicants are OCS funded grantees that have completed several successful projects. Funds Available: $500,000. Approximately 1 grant will be awarded competitively.

(6) Training and Technical Assistance (Sub-Priority Area 1.6)

Funds are awarded in the form of discretionary grants through a competitive process to develop instructional programs, national conferences, seminars, and other activities to assist community development corporations (CDCs). Eligible applicants are private non- profit organizations. Applicants must operate on a national basis and have significant and relevant experience in working with CDCs. Funds Available: $210,000. Approximately 1 grant will be awarded competitively. Review Criteria for Applications Submitted Under Sub-Priority Areas 1.1, 1.2, and 1.4 (a) Criterion I: Analysis of Need (Maximum: 5 points). (b) Criterion II: Organizational Experience in Program Area and Staff Responsibilities. (i) Organizational Experience in Program Area (0-15 points). (ii) Staff Skills, Resources and Responsibilities (0-10 points). (c) Criterion III: Project Implementation (Maximum: 25 points). (d) Criterion IV: Significant and Beneficial Impact. (i) Significant and Beneficial Impact (0-5 points). (ii) Community Empowerment Consideration and Partnership with Child Support Enforcement Agency (0-5 points). (iii) Cost-per-Job (0-5 points). (iv) Career Development Opportunities (0-5 points). (e) Criterion V: Public-Private Partnerships. (i) Mobilization of resources: (15 points). (ii) Integration/coordination of services: (5 points). (f) Criterion VI: Budget Appropriateness and Reasonableness (Maximum: 5 points). Review Criteria for Applications Submitted Under Sub-Priority Areas 1.3 (a) Criterion I: Analysis of Need (Maximum: 15 points). (b) Criterion II: Organizational Capability and Capacity. (i) Organizational experience in program area (5 points). (ii) Management capacity (5 points). (iii) Staffing (5 points). (iv) Staffing responsibilities (5 points). (c) Criterion III: Project Design, Implementation and Evaluation. (i) Project implementation component (25 points). (ii) Evaluation component (5 points). (d) Criterion IV: Significant and Beneficial Impact (Maximum: 25 Points). (e) Criterion V: Budget Appropriateness and Reasonableness (Maximum: 10 points). Review Criteria for Applications Submitted Under Sub-Priority Areas 1.5 (a) Criterion I: Organizational Experience in Program Area and Staff Responsibilities. (i) Organizational Experience in Program Area (0-10 points). (ii) Staff Skills, Resources and Responsibilities (0-10 points). (b) Criterion II: Work Program (Maximum: 30 points). (c) Criterion III: Significant and Beneficial Impact (Maximum: 30 points). (d) Criterion IV: Public Private Partnerships (15 Points). (e) Criterion V: Budget Appropriateness and Reasonableness (Maximum: 5 points). Review Criteria for Applications Submitted Under Sub-Priority Area 1.6 (a) Criterion I: Need for Assistance (Maximum: 10 points). (b) Criterion II: Organizational Experience in Program Area and Staff Responsibilities (Maximum: 20 points). (i) Organizational Experience. (ii) Staff Skills. (c) Criterion III: Work Plan (Maximum 35 points). (d) Criterion IV: Significant and Beneficial Impact (Maximum: 25 points). (e) Criterion V: Budget Reasonableness (Maximum: 10 points).

(7) Rural Community Development Activities (Sub-Priority 2.0)

Funds are provided to help low income rural communities develop the capability and expertise to establish and/or maintain affordable, adequate and safe water and waste water treatment facilities. Eligible applicants are multi-state, regional private non-profit organizations that can provide training and technical assistance to small, rural communities in meeting their community facility needs. Funds Available: $3,500,000. Approximately 8 grants will be awarded competitively. Review Criteria for Applications Submitted Under Sub-Priority Area 2.0 (a) Criterion I: Analysis of Need (Maximum: 5 points). (b) Criterion II: Organizational Experience in Program Area and Staff Responsibilities. (i) Organizational Experience in Program Area (0-5 points). (ii) Staff Skills, Resources and Responsibilities (0-10 points). (c) Criterion III: Project Implementation (Maximum: 25 points). (d) Criterion IV: Significant and Beneficial Impact (Maximum: 30 points). (e) Criterion V: Public-Private Partnerships (Maximum: 20 points). (f) Criterion VI: Budget Appropriateness and Reasonableness (Maximum: 5 points). (C) Project Periods and Budget Periods: Refer to Application Kit for details. (D) Type of Awards: Grants. (E) Date of Application Kit: March 16, 1998. (F) Application Deadline: Applications must be Postmarked by May 15, 1998. Detailed application submission instructions are included in the Application Kit. (G) Program Contact Person: Thornell Page (202) 401-5333.

2. Community Food and Nutrition (CFN) (CFDA # 93.571)

Deadline Date: May 1, 1998. (A) Legislative Authority: Section 681A of the CSBG Act; Section 681A is also known as Community Food and Nutrition, the Community Services Block Grant Act, as amended. (B) Eligible Applicants and Availability of Funds: Eligible applicants are States and public and private non-profit agencies/

organizations with a demonstrated ability to successfully develop and implement such programs and activities. Funds Available: $1,600,000. Approximately 33 grants will be awarded competitively. (C) Eligible Activities: The OCS is authorized to make funds available for the purpose of coordinating existing private and public food assistance resources, whenever such coordination is determined to be inadequate, to better serve low income populations; assisting low income communities to identify potential sponsors of child nutrition programs and to initiate new programs in underserved or unserved areas; and developing innovative approaches to meet the nutrition needs of low income people. Funds are provided to improve the health and nutrition status of low income persons through improved access to healthy nutritious foods or by other means. (D) Review Criteria for CFN Applications CRITERION I--Analysis of Needs/Priorities. (1) Target area and population to be served (0-4 points). (2) Nature and extent of problem(s) and/or need(s) to be addressed (0-6 points). Criterion II--Adequacy of Work Program. (1) Realistic quarterly time targets (0-10 points). (2) Activities are adequately described and appear reasonably (0-15 points). Criterion III--Significant and Beneficial Impact. (a) Applicant proposes to significantly improve or increase nutrition services to low-income people and such improvements or increases are quantified (0-15 points). (b) Project incorporates promotional health and social services activities for low-income people, along with nutritional services (0-5 points). (c) Project will significantly leverage or mobilize other community resources and such resources are detailed and quantified (0-5 points). (d) Project addresses problem(s) which can be resolved by one-time OCS funding or demonstrates that non-Federal funding is available to continue the project without federal support (0-5 points). Criterion IV--Coordination/Services Integration. (a) Project shows evidence of coordinated community-based planning in its development. (0-10 points). (b) Community Empowerment Consideration (0-5 points). Criterion V--Organization Experience in Program. Area and Staff Responsibilities (Maximum 15 points). (a) Organizational experiences in program area. (0-5 points). (b) Management History (0-5 points). (c) Staffing Skills, Resources and Responsibilities (0-5 points). Criterion VI--Adequacy of Budget (Maximum: 5 points). (E) Project Period and Budget Period: For most projects, OCS will grant funds for 1 year. However, in rare instances, depending on the characteristics of any individual project and on the justification presented by the applicant in its application, a grant may be made for up to 17 months.. (F) Type of Awards: Grants. (G) Date of Application Kit: March 2, 1998. (H) Application Deadline: Applications must be Postmarked by May 1, 1998. Detailed application submission instructions are included in the Application Kit. (I) Program Contact Person: Thornell Page (202) 401-5333.

3. Job Opportunities for Low Income Individuals (JOLI) (CFDA # 93-593)

Deadline Date: May 18, 1998. (A) Legislative Authority: Section 505 of the Family Support Act of 1988, Public Law 100-485, as amended, authorizes the Secretary of DHHS to enter into agreements with non-profit organizations (including community development corporations) for the purpose of conducting projects designed to create employment and business opportunities for certain low income individuals. The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, Public Law 104-193, reauthorized Section 505 of the Family Support Act of 1988 with certain amendments effective July 1, l997. (B) Eligible Applicants and Availability of Funds: Applicants eligible to apply for grants under the JOLI program must be not-for- profit organizations exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) or (4) of the Internal Revenue Code. Applicants are encouraged to mobilize resources. Funds Available: $5,500,000. Approximately 5 to 10 grants will be awarded. JOLI grant awards are approved for up to 5 year project periods and are funded for up to a maximum of $500,000 for the full project period. (C) Eligible Activities: Projects funded under the JOLI Program are for the creation of new jobs and employment opportunities, through micro-business/ self-employment, the start-up of a new business, or the expansion of an existing business. Project activities may include training, technical assistance, and support of participants to enable them successfully to fill such jobs; but proposed projects for the training and placement of low income individuals in already existing jobs or jobs expected to be available independent of any job creation activity of the proposed project, will not be considered for funding. (D) Review Criteria for JOLI Applications. (1) Criterion I: Organizational Experience in Program Area and Staff Skills, Resources and Responsibilities (Maximum: 20 points). (2) Criterion II: Project Theory, Design and Plan (Maximum: 30 points). (3) Criterion III: Significant and Beneficial Impact (Maximum: 20 points). (4) Criterion IV: Project Evaluation (Maximum: 15 points). (5) Criterion V: Public-Private Partnerships (Maximum: 10 points). (6) Criterion VI: Budget Appropriateness and Reasonableness (Maximum: 5 points). (E) Project Periods and Budget Periods: Refer to Application Kit for details. (F) Type of Awards: Grants. (G) Date of Application Kit: March 2, 1998. (H) Application Deadline: Applications must be POSTMARKED by May 18, 1998. Detailed application submission instructions are included in the Application Kit. (I) Program Contact Person: Nolan Lewis (202) 401-5282 or Richard Saul (202) 401-9341.

4. Residential Energy Assistance Challenge (REACH) Option Program (CFDA # 93.568) Deadline Date: May 25, 1998.

(A) Legislative Authority: Section 2607B of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Act, Title XXVI of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981, Public Law 97-35, as amended [42 U.S.C. 8626b]. (B) Eligible Applicants and Availability of Funds: Eligible applicants are States, Indian Tribes and Tribal Organizations (including Alaskan Native Villages), and Insular Areas that receive direct grants from the Department of HHS under LIHEAP which are expended for implementing a LIHEAP program. Funds are awarded to LIHEAP grantees on the basis of a competitive application process. Funds available: $6,250,000. Up to 10 grants will be awarded competitively to States under Priority Area 1.0. Approximately 4 to 12 grants will be awarded competitively to Indian Tribes and Tribal Organizations under Priority Area 2.0.

(C) Eligible Activities: The OCS is authorized to provide competitive grants to LIHEAP grantees that develop innovative programs, administered by community-based organizations, to reduce the energy vulnerability of LIHEAP-eligible households. (D) Program Priority Areas: Under Priority Area 1.0, funds will be awarded to States, District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico for REACH projects administered by non-profit Community Based Organizations, with a priority given to Community Action Agencies and other eligible entities under Section 673 of the Community Services Block Grant Act [42 U.S.C. 9902(1)]. Under Priority Area 2.0, funds will be awarded to Indian Tribes and Tribal Organizations and other Insular Areas. (E) Review Criteria for REACH Plans. Program Elements, Review and Assessment Criteria for REACH Plans under Priority Area 1.0 (States, District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico). (a) Criterion I: Organizational Experience and Capability (Maximum: 20 points). (b) Criterion II: Project Theory, Design and Plan (Maximum: 30 points). (c) Criterion III: Holistic Program Strategies, Mobilization of Resources, and Project Innovations (Maximum: 10 points). (d) Criterion IV: Budget Appropriateness (Maximum: 10 points). (e) Criterion V: Significant and Beneficial Impact (Maximum: 10 points). (f) Criterion VI: Community Empowerment Consideration (Maximum: 5 points). (g) Criterion VII: Management and Organization of Project (Maximum: 5 points). (h) Criterion VIII: Project Evaluation (Maximum: 10 points). Program Elements, Review and Assessment Criteria for REACH Plans under Priority Area 2.0 (Tribes and Insular Areas other than Puerto Rico). (a) Criterion I: Organizational Experience and Capability (Maximum: 10 points). (b) Criterion II: Project Theory, Design and Plan (Maximum: 50 points). (c) Criterion III: Management and Organization of Project (Maximum: 10 points). (d) Criterion IV: Budget Appropriateness (Maximum: 10 points). (e) Criterion V: Significant and Beneficial Impact (Maximum: 10 points). (f) Criterion VI: Project Evaluation (Maximum: 10 points). (F) Type of Awards: Grants. (G) Date of Application Kit: February 23, 1998. (H) Application Deadline: Applications must be POSTMARKED by May 25, 1998. Detailed application submission instructions are included in the Application Kit. (I) Program Contact Person: Anna Guidery (202) 401-5318 or Richard Saul (202) 401-9341.

5. CSBG Training, Technical Assistance and Capacity Building (CSBG/ T&TA) (CFDA # 93.570) Deadline Date: May 22, 1998.

(A) Legislative Authority: Section 674(a)(1) of the CSBG Act. (B) Eligible Applicants and Availability of Funds: The OCS is authorized to make grants and award contracts to eligible entities, organizations whose membership is composed of CSBG-eligible entities or agencies that administer programs for CSBG-eligible entities. Funds available: Approximately $3.6 million. Approximately 35 grants will be awarded competitively. (C) Program Priority Areas: Refer to Application Kit for details. (D) Review Criteria for CSBG/T&TA Applications Criterion I: Need for Assistance (Maximum: 20 points). Criterion II: Work Program (Maximum: 30 points). Criterion III: Significant and Beneficial Impact (Maximum: 15 points). Criterion IV: Evidence of Significant. Collaborations (Maximum: 10 points). Criterion V: Ability of Applicant to Perform (Maximum: 20 points). Criterion VI: Adequacy of Budget (Maximum: 5 points). (E) Project Periods and Budget Periods: This announcement is inviting applications for project periods up to 1 year. Awards, on a competitive basis, will be for a one-year budget period, although project periods may be for up to 17 months. Refer to Application Kit for further details. (F) Type of Awards: Grants. (G) Date of Application Kit: March 23, 1998. (H) Application Deadline: Applications must be POSTMARKED by May 22, 1998. Detailed application submission instructions are included in the Application Kit. (I) Program Contact Person: Margaret Washnitzer (202-401-2333)

6. Family Violence Prevention Program (CFDA # 93.592)

Deadline Date: May 2, 1998. (A) Legislative Authority: The Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA) was enacted as Title III of the Child Abuse Amendments of 1984, P.L. 98-457. It was reauthorized and amended for FY 1995 through FY 2000 by Public Law 103-322, the Violent Crime Control and Law Empowerment Act of 1994 (The Crime Bill). The reauthorization of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act on October 3, 1996 contained a technical amendment affecting funding levels under the FVPSA. (B) Eligible Applicants and Availability of Funds: Grants are awarded to assist States in supporting the establishment, maintenance, and expansion of programs and projects to prevent incidents of family violence and provide immediate shelter and related assistance for victims of family violence and their dependents. There are no income eligibility requirements. Funds Available: $1.5 million. Approximately 16 grants will be awarded competitively. (C) Priority Areas for FY 1998 #1--Developing and Enhancing Services for Immigrant, Migrant and Refugee Battered Women. #2--Training Grant Stipends in Domestic Violence for Historically Black, Hispanic-Serving and Tribal Colleges and Universities. #3--Public Information Community Awareness Campaign Projects for the Prevention of Family Violence. (D) Review Criteria for Family Violence Prevention Program Competitive Discretionary Grants Criterion I: Need for the Project (Maximum: 10 points). Criterion II: Goals and Objectives (Maximum: 10 points). Criterion III: Approach (Maximum: 30 points). Criterion IV: Results and Benefits (Maximum: 20 points). Criterion V: Level of Effort (Maximum: 30 points). (E) Project Periods and Budget Period. Priority Area #1--Project period not to exceed 17 months. Priority Area #2--Project period is 36 months (12 month budget periods). Priority Area #3--Project period not to exceed 12 months. (F) Type of Awards: Grants. (G) Matching Requirement: Successful grantees must provide at least 25 percent of the total cost of the project. The total cost of the project is the sum of the ACF share and the non-Federal share. The non- federal share may be met by cash or in-kind contributions, although applicants are encouraged to meet their match requirement through cash contributions. Therefore, a project requesting $75,000 in Federal funds (based on an award of $75,000 per budget period) must include a match of at least $25,000 (25% of total project

cost). Therefore, a total project cost of $100,000 would be comprised of $75,000 Federal funds and $25,000 non-Federal funds. If approved for funding, grantees will be held accountable for commitments of non- Federal resources and failure to provide the required amount will result in a disallowance of unmatched Federal funds. This Matching Requirement applies to all 3 Priority Areas. (H) Date of Application Kit: March 2, 1998. (I) Application Deadline: Applications must be POSTMARKED by May 4, 1998. Detailed application submission instructions are included in the Application Kit. (J) Program Contact Persons: William Riley (202) 401-5529; James Gray (202) 401-5705; Gertrude Knight (202) 401-4787.

Additional Requirement

Applicants for grants must also meet the following requirement:

A. Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 #0970-0062

Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13, the Department is required to submit to OMB for review and approval any reporting and recordkeeping requirements in regulations, including Program Announcements. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. This Combined Program Announcement does not contain information collection requirements beyond those approved for ACF grant announcements/ applications under OMB Control Number 0970-0062.

B. Intergovernmental Review

The programs discussed in this Combined Program Announcement are covered under Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs,'' and 45 CFR Part 100, ``Intergovernmental Review of Department of Health and Human Services Programs and Activities.'' Under the Order, States may design their own processes for reviewing and commenting on proposed Federal assistance under covered programs. NOTE: State/Territory participation in the Intergovernmental Review process does not signify applicant eligibility for financial assistance under a program. A potential applicant must meet the eligibility requirements of the program for which it is applying prior to submitting an application to its SPOC, if applicable, or to ACF. As of September 1997, a number of jurisdictions have elected not to participate in the Executive Order process. Applicants from these jurisdictions or for projects administered by federally recognized Indian Tribes need take no action in regard to E.O. 12372. A list of these non-participating jurisdictions can be found in the Application Kit. Although the non-participating jurisdictions no longer participate in the process, entities which have met the eligibility requirements of the program are still eligible to apply for a grant even if a State, Territory, Commonwealth, etc. does not have a SPOC. All remaining jurisdictions participate in the Executive Order process and have established SPOCs. Applicants from participating jurisdictions should contact their SPOCs as soon as possible to alert them of the prospective applications and receive instructions. Applicants must submit any required material to the SPOCs as soon as possible so that the program office can obtain and review SPOC comments as part of the award process. The applicant must submit all required materials, if any, to the SPOC and indicate the date of this submittal (or the date of contact if no submittal is required) on the Standard Form 424, item 16a. Under 45 CFR 100.8(a)(2), a SPOC has 60 days from the application deadline to comment on proposed new or competing continuation awards. SPOCs are encouraged to eliminate the submission of routine endorsements as official recommendations. Additionally, SPOCs are requested to clearly differentiate between mere advisory comments and those official State process recommendations which may trigger the ``accommodate or explain'' rule. When comments are submitted directly to ACF, they should be addressed to: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Division of Discretionary Grants and Audit Resolution, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, S.W., Mail Stop 6C-462, Washington, D.C. 20447.

Dated: February 19, 1998. Donald Sykes, Director, Office of Community Services. [FR Doc. 98-4828 Filed 2-24-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4184-01-P