Unaccompanied Children Program

 

The Unaccompanied Children's (UC) program provides for the care and placement of unaccompanied minors who are apprehended in the U.S. by Homeland Security agents, Border patrol agents, or other federal law enforcement agencies and are taken into care pending resolution of their claims for relief under U.S. immigration law or release to parent, adult family members, or another responsible adult. Resolution of their claims may result in release, granting of an immigration status (such as special immigrant juvenile or asylum), voluntary departure, or removal. The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), Division of Unaccompanied Children Operations (DUCO) has seven Notices of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs) under this program, which delineate the different types of care for Unaccompanied Children: Shelter and Transitional Foster Care (Shelter/TFC)-Licensed, Shelter and Transitional Foster Care (Shelter/TFC)-Prelicensed, Staff-Secure, Secure, Long-Term Foster Care (LTFC), Therapeutic Group Home, Residential Treatment Center, and Home Study and Post-Release Services.

Active 93.676 Administration For Children and Families, Department of Health and Human Services B - Project Grants Fiscal Year 2016 So far, In FY16 the program placed over 36,000 unaccompanied children, already surpassing FY 15 annual total. The program awarded new contracts for legal services which included funding for paid as well as probono representation of UC in and formerly in ORR custody. The program has currently published six (6) Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOA) for Residential shelter capacity and Post Release Services. The program will increase monitoring of programs to ensure compliance with regulations and policy and procedures. In FY16 the program placed over 59,000 unaccompanied children, a record number of UAC served in the history of the program. The program awarded new contracts for legal services which included funding for paid as well as pro-bono representation of UC in and formerly in ORR custody. The program has published six (6) Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOA) for Residential shelter capacity and Post Release Services for award in 2017. The program will increase monitoring of programs to ensure compliance with regulations and policy and procedures. Fiscal Year 2017: The fluctuations underscore the unpredictable nature of referrals, which creates serious operational challenges if there is not a mechanism to provide additional resources, if needed. To accommodate the record number of referrals, ORR awarded 5 emergency shelter contracts to support the operations of temporary emergency shelters on federal land parcels to accommodate periods of influx of arrivals.
Fiscal Year 2017 In the first and part of the second quarter of FY2017, referrals of UAC continued to be elevated necessitating use of two temporary emergency shelters operated by contractors. Referrals significantly decreased in the latter half of the second quarter of FY2017. There has been steady increase in referral numbers the third quarter. To maintain a standard level of bed capacity program awarded 76 new grants and 6 continuation grants for residential services to ensure that capacity is available to accommodate any referrals and services required.
Fiscal Year 2018 In FY 2018 we completed approximately 9 supplements. ORR issued one (1) deployment task order to stand up the Homestead temporary shelter influx site.
Fiscal Year 2019 In 2019, the Unaccompanied Alien Children's Program awarded a total of 115 new grants in the following categories: Shelter/TFC: A total of 69 awards were issued of which 12 were Supplements and 57 non-competing continuations. LTFC: A total of 19 awards were issued all of which were non-competing continuations. Secure: A total of 3 awards were issued all of which were non-competing continuations. Staff Secure: A total of 8 awards were issued all of which were non-competing continuations. Therapeutic: A total of 5 awards were issued all of which were non-competing continuations. Home Study and Post Release: A total of 11 awards were issued all of which were non-competing continuations.
Fiscal Year 2021 The Unaccompanied Children's Program began the year experiencing lower-than-normal referral numbers due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Beginning in February 2021, referrals increased substantially. The program received a total of 72,611 referrals across all levels of care in FY 21 through July. During the same time frame, the program successfully discharged a grand total of 50,216 children. The Program received a total of 122,731 referrals through FY21. For Shelter/TFC a total of 146 non-competing continuations were issued LTFC: A total of 23 non-competing continuations awards were issued Secure: 1 non-competing continuation was issued. Staff Secure: A total of 6 non-competing continuations awards were issued. Therapeutic: A total of 9 non-competing continuations awards were issued Home Study and Post Release Services: A total of 16 non-competing continuations awards were issued.
Fiscal Year 2023 In FY 2023, the program has received a total of 81,828 referrals across all levels of care, as of June 22, 2023. During the same time frame, the program has successfully discharged a grand total of 85,557 children. The program will continue to assess the services it provides to Unaccompanied Children to ensure and maintain its service delivery model. In addition, the program has made a total of 149 awards in the following categories: Shelter/TFC: A total of 34 awards were issued of which 4 were new awards. Shelter/TFC-Prelicensed: A total of 7 awards were issued of which 1 was a new award. Shelter/TFC-Prelicensed: A total of 50 awards were issued of which 6 were new awards. Shelter/TFC: An estimated total of 40 non-competing continuation awards were issued. LTFC: A total of 17 awards were issued of which 1 was a new award. Staff Secure: A total of 1 award was issued. Home Study and Post Release Services: New awards will be issued in September 2023.
Fiscal Year 2024 In FY 2024 the Program expects referral levels to match FY 2023. Referral levels are inherently unpredictable, and changes from FY2023 levels could affect funding amounts. The program anticipates posting and awarding NOFOs in FY 2024. The FY 2023 level reflects expansion of Post Release Services with three levels of services, expanded to include intensive and safety and well-being virtual check-ins. Homeland Security Act of 2002, Section 462, Public Law 107-296, 6 U.S.C. 279, Statute 116,2202-2205
William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008, Section 235, Public Law 110-457, 8 U.S.C. 1232, Statute 122,5074-5082
Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003, 42 U.S.C. 15607
Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013, Section 1101(c), Public Law 113-4 Care providers for all categories need to be licensed or obtain a license prior to accepting dependent children into their care. Applications from individuals (including sole proprietorships) and foreign entities are not eligible. Faith-based and private for-profit organizations who can provide state licensed residential capacity and other requisite services are eligible. Beneficiaries for all NOFOs are unaccompanied children, up to 18 years of age, who are in Federal custody by reason of their immigration status. Non-profit organizations applying for funding are required to submit proof of their non-profit status. For-profit organizations (including small businesses) applying for funding must submit proof of their legal status. 2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles applies to this program. 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 to 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, exceeding the Award Ceiling, or required documentation. 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 will complete a review of risk posed by applicants as described in 45 CFR 75.205. 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 120 to 200 days. Deadlines for applications are noted in NOFOs. It is anticipated that the approval/disapproval time will not exceed 120 days in urgent situations and will not exceed 200 days in normal application situations. Not applicable. Non-competing continuations will be issued based on availability of funds, satisfactory progress, compliance with terms and conditions and a determination that continuation funding is in the best interest of the federal government. The criteria for selecting proposals will be published in the NOFOs in Section V.1. Criteria. The ORR UC cooperative agreement states that ORR provides residential care and services through contracts or through the competitive grant-making process to organizations incorporated under State law which have demonstrated child welfare, social service, or related experience and are appropriately licensed to provide care and related services to dependent children. Recipients of ORR funding that provide residential services for UC must comply with State residential care licensing requirements; the Stipulated Settlement Agreement, Flores v. Reno, No. 85-4544-RJK (Px) (C.D. Cal. Jan. 17, 1977 (Flores Settlement Agreement), pertinent federal laws and regulations, and all ORR policies and procedures including, but not limited to, the ORR Unaccompanied Children Program Policy Guide and the Manual of Procedures. Funds may be used only for the purposes set forth in the terms and conditions. Services may be provided only to unaccompanied children who are referred by the Department of Homeland Security or referred by other federal agencies or departments. Additional restrictions may be put in place on a case-by-case basis applicable to all types of NOFOs. Performance Reports: ORR conducts programmatic on-site and virtual monitoring of recipients for the purpose of ensuring that the recipient's service delivery program meets the requirements and standards of the Unaccompanied Children Program. Final program reports summarizing the activities and accomplishments of the project in relation to the approved goals and objectives are required. To provide high-quality services for all unaccompanied children, ORR has established performance metrics to clearly communicate ORR priorities and collects and shares data quarterly through a scorecard for each facility, to help care providers meet established goals. The performance metrics are grouped in the following categories: bed availability, safety, unification, and health and well-being. The bed availability metrics evaluate whether funded beds are delivered on time and the continuing availability of the beds once they are delivered. The safety category is related to a child’s safety while in a provider’s care. The metrics that fall under unification look at the key steps in the unification process to ensure cases are progressing in a timely manner. Under the category of health and well-being, the metrics related to the initial medical exam, vaccines, and a child’s weekly phone calls. Performance progress reports are required using the SF-PPR ACF Performance Progress Report. The frequency of reporting will be listed in the NOFO and in the award terms and conditions. For more information, see: https://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/manage-grant/reporting. Periodic audits are made as part of the system of financial management and internal control to meet terms and conditions of grants, contracts, and other awards. 45 CFR Part 75 Subpart F applies to this program. All records are to be maintained in accordance with 45 CFR 75.361-365. 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. Awards are made on one-to-three-year cycle and are budgeted on an annual basis. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: Post award, our Division of Payment Management will establish an account from which a recipient may draw down award funds. Post award, our Division of Payment Management will establish an account from which a recipient may draw down award funds. None/Not specified. Melissa Johnston
Mary E. Switzer Building, 330 C Street SW
Washington, DC 20201 USA
Dcs_projectofficers@acf.hhs.gov
Phone: 202-401-4997 https://www.acf.hhs.gov/orr 75-1503-0-1-506 (Project Grants (Cooperative Agreements)) FY 22$2,022,326,820.00; FY 23 est $2,976,561,049.00; FY 24 est $3,234,248,243.00; FY 21$1,411,559,169.00; FY 20$1,610,372,077.00; FY 19$1,587,311,534.00; FY 18$1,911,084,434.00; FY 17$829,398,723.00; FY 16$642,000,000.00; - Shelter and Transitional Foster Care(Project Grants (Cooperative Agreements)) FY 22$4,630,096.00; FY 23 est $1,706,230.00; FY 24 est $36,050,814.00; FY 21$11,200,917.00; FY 20$4,654,061.00; FY 19$14,642,064.00; - Secure(Project Grants (Cooperative Agreements)) FY 22$105,700,003.00; FY 23 est $120,696,801.00; FY 24 est $230,767,595.00; FY 21$58,666,976.00; FY 20$44,493,145.00; FY 19$38,169,561.00; - Long Term Foster Care(Project Grants (Cooperative Agreements)) FY 22$21,875,953.00; FY 23 est $16,624,235.00; FY 24 est $124,128,900.00; FY 21$24,370,300.00; FY 20$13,224,871.00; FY 19$17,084,892.00; - Therapeutic(Project Grants (Cooperative Agreements)) FY 22$242,858,943.00; FY 23 est $434,081,735.00; FY 24 est $563,621,225.00; FY 21$83,852,593.00; FY 20$56,959,285.00; FY 19$34,350,301.00; - Home Study and Post-Release Services(Project Grants (Cooperative Agreements)) FY 22$34,932,849.00; FY 23 est $29,078,302.00; FY 24 est $91,823,522.00; FY 21$21,310,100.00; - Staff Secure FY 2023: The UC Program received o 56 applications and awarded 34 new awards for Shelter/TFC services. The award amounts ranged from $1,576,601 to $145,779,554. Average of Awards: $36,717,771. o 41 applications and awarded 7 new awards for Shelter/TFC- Prelicensed Services. The amounts ranged from $1,750,347 to $28,975,658. Average of Awards: $12,800,739. o 80 applications and awarded 50 new awards for Shelter/TFC. The award amounts ranged from $1,642,022 - $89,379,352. Average of Awards: $18,441,253.90. o 46 applications and awarded 17 new awards for LTFC services. The award amounts ranged from $1,174,276 - $11,451,736. Average of Award: $4,483,520.24. o 9 applications and awarded 1 new award for Staff-Secure services. The award amount was $6,106,794. NOFOs can be found at https:/www.grants.gov. All inquiries related to NOFOs should be directed to the Point of Contact listed in the NOFO. ORR Unaccompanied Children Program Policy can be found at https://www.acf.hhs.gov/orr/policy-guidance/unaccompanied-children-program-policy-guide . Fiscal Year 2016 In FY 2016, it is expected that the program continues to provide shelter, staff secure, secure, residential treatment centers, transitional foster care and home study and post release services. The number of referrals for FY16 thus far has exceeded the FY15 level. The program issued seven (7) new grants and funds a total of 47 cooperative agreements. In FY 2016, the program continued to provide shelter, staff secure, secure, residential treatment centers, transitional foster care and home study and post release services. The number of referrals for FY16 has exceeded the FY15 level. The program issued seven (7) new grants and funded a total of 47 cooperative agreements and awarded 4 emergency shelter contracts.
Fiscal Year 2017 In FY 2017, the program issued over 76 cooperative agreements for shelter, staff secure, secure, residential treatment center, transitional foster care and home study and post release services.
Fiscal Year 2018 In FY 2018 the program grants, expired in FY 2017 were extended to FY 2018 to maintain a standard number of bed capacity. Concurrently, ORR maintained temporary shelter contract vehicles available to be used for a potential influx needs. Due to the unpredicted increase in referrals, ORR issued a competitive deployment task order for the opening of a temporary influx shelter located in Homestead, FL, to serve UAC, and prevent a humanitarian crisis at the border