Description
This Notice of Funding Opportunity has been modified in response to recent policy guidance in ACF-OCSS-AT-24-02, Final Rule: Elimination of Tribal Non-Federal Share Requirement. Changes are found in Section II. Federal Award Information and Section V.1. Criteria, Budget. The Office of Child Support Services (OCSS) invites eligible candidates to submit applications for the Next Generation Child Support Employment Services Demonstration (NextGen). The NextGen program model is based on lessons learned from the National Child Support Noncustodial Parent Employment Demonstration. Its goal is to expand and enhance child support-led employment services for noncustodial parents. All state and tribal child support programs are eligible. Each applicant will self-identify into one of the following three mutually exclusive groups:Tribal child support agenciesState child support agencies where at least one local jurisdiction participating in the demonstration does not currently have an employment and training program or the program has been in operation for less than 5 yearsState child support agencies where all local jurisdictions participating in the demonstration have had an employment and training program in operation for at least 5 yearsAll groups are expected to implement their employment and training programs according to the program design elements described below. Deviations are allowed, but they must be justified, and the applicant must explain how they propose to handle the design elements described below.All groups are expected to provide the following child support and related services to noncustodial parents who receive employment and training services:Initiating and expediting order review and if appropriate modificationSuspending enforcement tools while participating in the program, including removing license suspensions and bench warrantsProviding debt reduction if permitted by state lawHelping with parenting time ordersWraparound services, such as fatherhood and parenting classes, substance abuse, or mental health services, are a plus but not required. OCSS anticipates that the grant recipient will partner with other agencies and programs to provide the employment and training services and other wraparound services.Experience shows that programs work best if each partner focuses on their core competencies. The child support program is expected to be the fiscal agent, manage the day-to-day operation of the program, and provide child support and related services, including those listed above. OCSS does not anticipate that child support staff will provide the employment and training services or wraparound services since these are not the child support program core competencies. These services may be paid for by the grant, but in most instances, they will be delivered by partnering agencies.This grant program will have a 60-month project period with five 12-month budget periods. Year 1 will focus on start-up and development of the program design. Years 2, 3, and 4 will be devoted to providing services, and the final year will be dedicated to evaluation, close-out, and sustainability work. Grant recipients will receive technical assistance and evaluation support from the recipient of the Technical Assistance and Evaluation of the Next Generation Child Support Employment Services Demonstration grant (see companion forecast). They will also participate in peer-to-peer learning opportunities.Recipients may receive between $350,000 and $2,102,941 over the 5-year project period. The award ceilings and floors for each project year is as follows:Year 1 (initial application): $588,235 ceiling and $100,000 floorYear 2: $588,235 ceiling and $100,000 floorYear 3: $308,824 ceiling and $50,000 floorYear 4: $308,824 ceiling and $50,000 floorYear 5: $308,824 ceiling and $50,000 floorOCSS anticipates that the budget requested will be scaled up or down according to the number of people served by the project.