Refugee and Entrant Assistance Wilson/Fish Program

 

The objective of the Wilson Fish demonstration program is to develop innovative alternatives projects to support refugee resettlement. The current alternative project, the Wilson-Fish Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Coordination Program, targets refugee families with children under the age of 18 and who are TANF-eligible. This program provides funds for the development and implementation of innovative approaches throughout a state to facilitate access to relevant, customized, and culturally and linguistically appropriate integrated services and resources. Funds are also used to develop and provide in-person and remote services and/or resources that enhance or complement programming serving TANF-eligible refugees to address unmet needs. These projects require coordination between recipients and the state TANF office. The program is focused on refugees who have been in the United States less than thirty-six months, which is the time they can receive interim support, medical services, support services, and case management, as needed, in a manner that encourages self-sufficiency, reduces welfare dependency, and fosters greater coordination among the resettlement agencies and service providers. The Wilson-Fish TANF Coordination Program (FY 2020 FY 2023) does not include cash assistance.

Active 93.583 Administration For Children and Families, Department of Health and Human Services B - Project Grants Fiscal Year 2016 In FY 2016, it is expected that 13 Awards will be made. In FY 2016, 13 Awards were issued.
Fiscal Year 2017 In FY 2017, 13 awards were issued.
Fiscal Year 2018 In FY 2018, 13 awards were issued.
Fiscal Year 2019 In FY 2019, 1 supplement and 10 non-competing continuations were issued for the Wilson-Fish Alternative Program.
Fiscal Year 2020 In FY 2020, the Wilson-Fish TANF Coordination Program received 22 applications and 21 awards were issued.
Fiscal Year 2021 In FY 2021, the Wilson-Fish TANF Coordination Program 21 non-competing continuations.
Fiscal Year 2022 In FY 2022, the Wilson-Fish TANF Coordination Program issued 21 non-competing continuations.
Fiscal Year 2023 In FY 2023, the Wilson-Fish TANF Coordination Program anticipates issuing 21 non-competing continuations. Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008, Public Law 110-161, Statute 121,2212
Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000, Public Law 106-386
Refugee Act of 1980, Section 412, Public Law 96-212, 8 U.S.C. 1522, Statute 94,111
Refugee Education Assistance Act of 1982, Title V, Public Law 96-422, 8 U.S.C. 1522, Statute 94,1809
Defense Authorization Act, 2008, Public Law 110-181, Statute 122,398
Public Law -98-473, H.J.Res.648 - A joint resolution making continuing appropriations for the fiscal year 1985, and for other purposes.
Public Law 117-43
Extending Government Funding and Delivering Emergency Assistance Act, Public Law 117-43
Additional Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2022, Public Law 117-128
No separate funding is appropriated for Wilson-Fish projects. Funds are drawn instead from funds earmarked for refugee cash and medical assistance grants and refugee support services allocations for the State-administered program (93.566) according to ORR projections. Public or private non-profit agencies are eligible. Applicants for the FY 2020-2024 Wilson-Fish TANF Coordination Program were required to provide a letter of support from the subdivision of the state agency tasked with the operation of the state's TANF program (or "state TANF office"). In this letter, the state TANF office was required to indicate its intention to coordinate with the applicant's proposed Wilson-Fish TANF Coordination Program and include a commitment to submit a formal and structured agreement, within 120 days of award, between the project and the state TANF office, to coordinate in the development and implementation of relevant, customized, and culturally and linguistically appropriate services for TANF-eligible refugees. This letter was required to be on letterhead of the state TANF office and signed by the state TANF director or the director's designee. Applicants that did not include this letter were disqualified from review and from funding under the Wilson-Fish TANF Coordination Program. Refugees, certain Amerasian immigrants from Vietnam, Cuban/Haitian entrants, asylees, victims of a severe form of trafficking, Iraqi and Afghan Special Immigrants and Afghan and Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolees as outlined in ORR PL 22-10 and ORR PL 22-13 are eligible for services and assistance through funded projects in a community. Detailed information on eligibility of ORR-funded projects is available at 45 ? CFR 400.43 and ORR Policy Letter 16-01, which can be found on the ORR website at: www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/orr/resource/policy-letter-16-01. Assistance is authorized for refugees, certain Amerasians from Vietnam, asylees, Cuban and Haitian entrants, asylees, victims of a severe form of human trafficking, and Iraqi and Afghan Special Immigrants, and Afghan and Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolees as outlined in ORR PL 22-10 and ORR PL 22-13, with documentation on their immigration status. Preapplication coordination is not applicable. 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. Applicants may find and apply for NOFOs on https://www.grants.gov. Each application will be screened to determine whether it meets any of the disqualifying factors: missing the application deadline, required electronic submission or waiver requested and approved, or exceeding the Award Ceiling. Disqualified applications are considered to be "non-responsive" and are excluded from the competitive review process. Applications competing for financial assistance will be reviewed and evaluated by objective review panels using only the criteria described in Section V.1. Criteria of this NOFO. Each panel is composed of experts with knowledge and experience in the area under review. Generally, review panels include three reviewers and one chairperson. Results of the competitive objective review are taken into consideration by ACF in the selection of projects for funding; however, objective review scores and rankings are not binding. Scores and rankings are only one element used in the award decision-making process. If identified in Section I. Program Description, ACF reserves the right to consider preferences to fund organizations serving emerging, unserved, or under-served populations, including those populations located in pockets of poverty. In addition, ACF reserves the right to evaluate applications in the larger context of the overall portfolio by considering geographic distribution of federal funds (e.g. ensuring coverage of states, counties, or service areas) in its pre-award decisions. ACF may elect not to fund applicants with management or financial problems that would indicate an inability to successfully complete the proposed project. In addition, ACF may elect to not allow a prime recipient to subaward if there is any indication that they are unable to properly monitor and manage subrecipients. Applications may be funded in whole or in part. Successful applicants may be funded at an amount lower than requested. Contact the headquarters or regional location, as appropriate for application deadlines From 60 to 90 days. There is no appeal process for unsuccessful applicants. For existing recipients, appeals in regard to disputes may take place in accordance with 45 CFR Part 16, subject to the limitations of the Appendix A. Non-competing continuations are issued based on availability of funds, satisfactory progress, compliance with award terms and conditions and a determination that continuation funding is in the best interest of the federal government. The criteria for selecting proposals are published in the NOFO. To be eligible for Wilson-Fish funding, recipients must ensure refugees meet all requirements of 45 C.F.R. 400.43, "Requirements for documentation of refugee status." The scope of assistance and services available to refugees from Wilson-Fish recipients is similar to that of the State-administered Refugee Resettlement Programs, which in turn is similar to regular domestic public assistance programs. The primary cost of the Wilson-Fish TANF Coordination Program will include direct support services, such as case management, employment services, and other services. Performance Reports: Performance progress reports are required using the Wilson-Fish TANF Coordination Program Performance Report Part A and Part B, OMB 0970-0490, expiring January 31, 2023. The frequency of reporting will be listed in the NOFO and in the award terms and conditions. 45 CFR Part 75 Subpart F applies to this program. Recipients are required to keep all financial, business and program reports necessary for program review and audit for the project period in accordance with 45 CFR 75.361-5 to ensure that funds have been expended in accordance with the regulations, grant terms, and conditions of the program. Statutory formula is not applicable to this assistance listing.

Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. Funds are made available for this program for one-year budget periods. The project period is up to four years. For the FY 2020-2023 Wilson-Fish TANF Coordination, post award, the Division of Payment Management will establish an account from which a recipient may draw down award funds. None/Not specified. Carl Rubenstein, Director, Division of Refugee Assistance
Mary E. Switzer Building
330 C Street SW, 5th Floor West
Washington, DC 20201 US
carl.rubenstein@acf.hhs.gov
Phone: 2022055933 https://www.acf.hhs.gov/orr 75-1503-0-1-609 (Cooperative Agreements) FY 22$3,527,469.00; FY 23 est $11,174,592.00; FY 24 est $18,000,000.00; FY 21$8,048,351.00; FY 20$6,707,775.00; FY 19$3,972,895.00; FY 18$14,907,877.00; FY 17$30,546,996.00; FY 16$32,000,000.00; - Wilson-Fish TANF Coordination Program In FY 2022 awards ranged from $200,000 to $1,343,894. The Wilson-Fish Program is referenced in 45 CFR 400.69. Not applicable.