Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) Implementation Research and Evaluation Planning Grants: Phase I/Cohort 2

This FOA is modified. The phone number listed in Section IV.1. Address to Request an Application Package is revised. The phone number listed in Section VII. HHS Awarding Agency Contact(s), Program Office Contact, is also revised.The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is soliciting applications for Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) Implementation Research and Evaluation Planning Grants: Phase I/Cohort 2. These cooperative agreements would support CCDF Lead Agencies by developing rigorous high-quality research and evaluation plans of the implementation of policies in response to the goals of the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) Act of 2014. These planning grants may be followed by a second competitive funding opportunity that would provide funding to carry out the planned research evaluations. Projects would be led by CCDF Lead Agencies in states, territories, or tribes and conducted in partnership with researchers. These partnerships do not have to be formalized at the time of application. Under these cooperative agreements, CCDF Lead Agencies will choose key provisions of the law and develop a rigorous, high-quality research plan that includes the use of innovative methods to evaluate implementation of these changes. Provisions of interest include, but are not limited to, expanding the supply and access to family child care, infant/toddler care, and care during non-traditional hours; establishing a state system of support for career pathways and professional development for child care and family child care providers; and establishing policies and procedures that fully implement 12-month eligibility to support continuity of care. During the period of performance, recipients must demonstrate their capacity to develop high-quality research plans. Grantees will be expected to participate in a consortium, meeting by phone at least monthly and in person annually. These grants are expected to build capacity for CCDF Lead Agencies in conducting research and evaluation and will not only benefit the grantees, but other CCDF Lead Agencies and the general public. Since 2000, Congress has appropriated $10 million per year of the discretionary Child Care and Development Fund to be used for child care research and evaluation. As a result of the CCDBG Act of 2014, an additional $4 million is available in fiscal year 2017. For more information on CCDF and OPRE-funded research, please visit: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/occ/resource/ccdf-law and http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/opre.Awards are subject to availability of funds and the best interests of the federal government.