GRANT INFORMATION

Web Sites and Electronic tools for Grants

• OCSE Discretionary Grants Information - http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cse/grants/
   
• Assets for Independence - http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ocs/afi/applying.html
   
• Grants.Gov -The source to find and apply for federal grants. http://grants.gov/
   
• Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration web site: http://www.doleta.gov/
   
• Grants 101 Toolkit for ETA Grants: https://www.workforce3one.org/view/3001006138660938388 or
   
• DOL Grant Competitions this web site will be updated as each new competition is announced: http://www.dol.gov/dol/grants/
   
• Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships, this is a one-stop shop for all this info and more: http://www.dol.gov/cfbnp/  

These are grants that are currently open as of May 3, 2011:

• OCSE - Special Improvement Project Grant

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE), invites eligible applicants to submit competitive grant applications for Special Improvement Projects (SIP) to develop creative strategies and processes to operate programs more effectively and efficiently in order to address their immediate needs during the economic downturn and advance longer-term structural changes.  Many State/Tribal and/or local IV-D agencies are operating with substantial reductions in staff and funding resources due to continuing budget cutbacks.  Creative strategies and processes could include, but are not limited to: 

Establishing or enhancing partnerships and/or interfaces/data exchanges with agencies such as Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, Child Welfare, Unemployment Insurance, Courts, State/Tribal IV-D agency linkages, Department of Corrections, Unemployment Insurance, with the goal of improving case management and increasing case processing speed and flexibility.

Using partnerships and collaborations with organizations that develop online legal information, automated forms, and other systems to improve the process and experience for those who represent themselves (pro se).

Streamlining  processes (e.g. the review and adjustment process) so that child support agencies can respond more quickly to the changing circumstances of both parents.

Using automation tools to enhance program efficiency to improve service delivery and outcomes for child support enforcement parents, especially to offset staff reductions.

Given that the purpose of these projects is to improve child support enforcement outcomes for families, it is critical that applicants who are not Title IV-D of the Social Security Act (IV-D) agencies have the cooperation of IV-D agencies to operate these projects. 

All applications developed jointly by more than one agency/organization must identify a single lead organization as the official applicant. The lead organization will be the recipient of the grant award. Participating agencies and organizations can be included as co-participants or subcontractors with their written authorization.

http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/open/foa/view/HHS-2011-ACF-OCSE-FI-0151

• OCSE- 1115 Grant
   

State child support agencies may propose projects in which they partner with a university or that involve a university and one or more agencies (such as TANF, child welfare, workforce, behavioral health, community colleges).  OCSE may consider projects that are state-identified issues if the need is well-documented and of concern to other states. 

http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/open/foa/view/HHS-2011-ACF-OCSE-FD-0155
 

• Assets for Independence- The Assets for Independence (AFI) program provides five-year grants to nonprofit organizations and government agencies that empower low-income families to become economically self-sufficient for the long-term.  Grantees provide financial education training on money management issues, and they assist participants with saving earned income in special matched savings accounts called Individual Development Accounts (IDAs).  Participants use the IDAs to accumulate funds with the goal of acquiring a first home, post-secondary education, or starting up or expanding a small business.

http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/open/foa/view/HHS-2011-ACF-OCS-EI-0137/0

 
 ·         'Stand Down' Grants to Assist Homeless Veterans

The U.S. Department of Labor announced the availability of $600,000 in "Stand Down" grants that will provide an estimated 10,000 homeless veterans with opportunities to reintegrate into society. The grants are being awarded under the department's Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Program. Approximately seventy grants in each of the three fiscal years covered by this solicitation are expected to be awarded. A maximum of $10,000 per multi-day event or $7,000 for a one-day event can be awarded. Stand Down grant funds must be used to enhance employment and training opportunities or to promote the self-sufficiency of homeless veterans through paid work. Applications for Stand Down funds will be accepted from State Workforce Agencies, State and local Workforce Investment Boards, Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs), local public agencies, and non-profit organizations including community and faith-based organizations. All applications for Stand Down grant funding must be submitted to the appropriate State Director for Veterans' Employment and Training (DVET) at least ninety (90) days prior to the event. Address and contact information for each State DVET can be found at: http://www.dol.gov/vets/aboutvets/contacts/main.htm. For more information about Stand Down grants and for an application please visit the following link http://www.dol.gov/vets/grants/main.htm.

Other Valuable Resources:

• mySkills myFuture, a job search tool geared especially for dislocated workers: http://myskillsmyfuture.org/
   
• My Next Move, a tool for new entrants to the workforce: http://www.mynextmove.org/

last updated 05/24/2011
Source: OCSE