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Guardianship Assistance
The Department of Health and Human Services is the Federal government's principal agency for protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services, especially to those who are least able to help themselves.
Contact the Regional Child Welfare Program Manager, ACF, HHS in the appropriate Regional Office.
(See Appendix IV of the Catalog for a list of addresses of the Regional Offices.).
Program Accomplishments
Fiscal Year 2008: No Current Data Available Fiscal Year 2009: Kinship guardianship assistance payments are made to eligible children who are cared for by relative guardians. The program is available the first day of the quarter in which an approvable title IV-E plan is submitted. In FY 2009, funds will be available to States with approved title IV-E plans to operate a guardianship assistance program. Fiscal Year 2010: Beginning in FY 2010, funds will be available to Indian Tribes, Indian Tribal organizations and Tribal consortia with approved title IV-E plans to operate a guardianship assistance program.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Federal assistance may be used only in support of the care of children who meet the eligibility requirements and their siblings under certain situations as specified in the statute.
All relatives assuming guardianship of such children are eligible for the nonrecurring expenses associated with obtaining legal guardianship up to $2000.
States and Tribes may receive Federal Financial Participation (FFP) only if title IV-E plans have been approved by the Secretary.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
State (includes District of Columbia, public institutions of higher education and hospitals): Income Security/Social Service/Welfare.
U.S.
Territories and possessions (includes institutions of higher education and hospitals): Income Security/Social Service/Welfare
Beneficiary Eligibility
Individual/Family; Infant (0-5); Child (6-15); Youth (16-21)
Credentials/Documentation
See OMB Circular No. A-87. OMB Circular No. A-87 applies to this program.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
Preapplication coordination is not applicable.
Environmental impact information is not required for this program.
This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.
12372.
Application Procedures
OMB Circular No. A-102 applies to this program. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110.
Award Procedures
Quarterly awards are made on the basis of estimated expenditures, which are later revised to include only actual allowable expenditures. Final decisions and awards are made by the Headquarters Office.
Deadlines
Not Applicable.
Authorization
Social Security Act, Title IV, Part E, Section 473, Public Law 111-8; as amended, Public Law 110-351.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
HHS will approve/disapprove applications (title IV-E plans or amendments to them) within 45 days of receipt by HHS.
Appeals
Refer to 45 CFR Part 16.
Renewals
Not Applicable.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Statutory Formula: Federal Financial Participation (FFP) for kinship guardianship is equal to the FMAP (as defined by sec. 1905(b) of the Social Security Act) for the total expended for kinship guardianship assistance payments; 75% of staff training costs; and 50% of other administrative costs. Short term training provided to kinship guardians is subject to a special FFP rate that varies by fiscal year (55% FFP in FY 2009; 60% for FY 2010).
Matching Requirements: Federal Financial Participation (FFP) for kinship guardianship is equal to the FMAP (as defined by sec. 1905(b) of the Social Security Act) for the total expended for kinship guardianship assistance payments; 75% of staff training costs; and 50% of other administrative costs. Short term training provided to kinship guardians is subject to a special FFP rate that varies by fiscal year (55% FFP in FY 2009; 60% for FY 2010).
This program does not have MOE requirements.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Federal financial participation is available to a State operating under an approved State plan. Beginning in FY 2010, FFP will be available to Indian Tribes, Indian Tribal organizations and Tribal consortia with approved plans to operate a title IV-E program, including a guardianship assistance program. The title IV-E agency may implement and claim allowable guardianship assistance program costs beginning on the first day of the quarter in which an approvable title IV-E plan amendment is submitted to ACF to implement the guardianship assistance program. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: quarterly.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Other reports as may be required by the Secretary.
PSC-272.
No progress reports are required.
Expenditure reports are required 30 days after the end of the quarter; other reports as required by the Secretary.
No performance monitoring is required.
Audits
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133. Audits are conducted in accordance with the requirements in 45 CFR 92.
Records
States and Tribes must maintain records necessary for the proper and efficient operation of the program, including records of applications, determinations of eligibility, allocated and direct administrative and training costs, and the provision of financial assistance. See also 45 CFR 92.42.
Financial Information
Account Identification
75-1545-0-1-609 - ARRA grants: 75-1546-0-1-609.
Obigations
(Formula Grants) FY 08 $0; FY 09 est $14,000,000; FY 10 est $49,000,000 - In FY 2009, ARRA grants are estimated to be $1 million and in FY 2010, ARRA grants are estimated to be $5 million.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
The program is available as an option for States as of October 7, 2008, therefore estimates on the range and average of financial assistance are not yet available.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
See program guidance in ACYF-CB-PI-08-07 which can found at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/laws_policies/policy/pi/2008/pi0807.htm. See also the HHS Grants Policy Statement found online at: http://www.hhs.gov/grantsnet/adminis/gpd/index.htm.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
See Regional Agency Offices. Contact the Regional Child Welfare Program Manager, ACF, HHS in the appropriate Regional Office. (See Appendix IV of the Catalog for a list of addresses of the Regional Offices.).
Headquarters Office
Gail Collins 1250 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, District of Columbia 20024 Email: gail.collins@acf.hhs.gov Phone: 202-205-8552
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Not Applicable.
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