Welfare Reform Research, Evaluations and National Studies

 

The objectives of Welfare Research (WR) are to support research, evaluation, and technical assistance related to the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. This includes research on the effect of State TANF programs on employment, child well-being, unmarried births, marriage, poverty, economic mobility, and other factors; State-initiated research on TANF ; technical assistance to States in developing and evaluating innovative approaches for reducing welfare dependency and increasing the well-being of families with low incomes; and development of a what works clearinghouse of approaches for moving welfare recipients into work. The objectives of the National Research Center on Poverty and Economic Mobility are to fund projects and programs designed to improve the effectiveness of public policies that reduce poverty, inequality, and their consequences, promote economic mobility and equity, and further develop knowledge of the structural causes of poverty, inequality, and economic insecurity. The objectives of the Center for Research on Hispanic Children and Families are to lead and support research on the needs of Hispanic populations served by ACF and on promising approaches to promote social and economic well-being among low-income Hispanic families. The objectives of the National African American Child and Family Research Center are to lead and support research on the assets, needs, and experiences of African American families and children served by ACF programs, and on promising approaches to address economic and social inequities and, ultimately, promote social and economic well-being among low-income African American families. The objectives of the Family Self-Sufficiency and Stability Research Scholars Network Grants are to support research on strategies for improving family self-sufficiency conducted by social science scholars in partnership with state or local human services agencies. The objectives of the Career Pathways Secondary Data Analysis Grants are to support rigorous research through secondary data analysis on questions relevant to the effectiveness of services funded by TANF programs that aim to address the employment and self-sufficiency needs of TANF recipients and those eligible for or at risk of TANF receipt, with career pathways programs being one such service. The objectives of the Family Self-Sufficiency Demonstration Development Grants are to support the planning for and execution of evaluation-related activities by organizations looking to strengthen and evaluate coordinated, client-centered approaches to improving economic self-sufficiency among TANF and TANF-eligible families. The objectives of the Tribal Research Center on Early Childhood Development and Systems are to support community-based participatory research and evaluation of ACF early childhood and family economic well-being initiatives that serve tribal communities. The objectives of the Baby's First Years Qualitative Substudy are to understand how unconditional cash gifts to low-income mothers and their children affects families' lives.

Active 93.595 Administration For Children and Families, Department of Health and Human Services B - Project Grants Fiscal Year 2016 It is anticipated that 4 grants will be awarded in FY 2016, all non-competing continuations. In FY 2016 4 grants were awarded, 3 non-competing continuations, and 1 new award.
Fiscal Year 2017 Two grants were awarded in FY 2017, both non-competing continuations.
Fiscal Year 2018 A single grant continuation was awarded in 2018.
Fiscal Year 2020 Several new grants were awarded in 2020, to include a new cohort of 5 Family Self-Sufficiency Research Consortium Scholars Network awards, and 4 Career Pathways Secondary Analysis grants
Fiscal Year 2022 The Center for Research on African American Children & Families, the Center for Research on Hispanic Children and Families, the 5 Family Self-Sufficiency Research Consortium Scholars, the Baby's First Years Qualitative Substudy, the National Poverty Center Fellows, the Society For Prevention Research, the 20 Family Self-Sufficiency Demonstration Development grants, and the TRECS grant were renewed. In addition, there was 1 new Career Pathways Secondary Data Analysis grant award.
Fiscal Year 2023 It is anticipated that the Center for Research on African American Children & Families, the 5 Family Self-Sufficiency Research Consortium Scholars, the 4 Career Pathways Follow-up Studies grant, the National Poverty Center , the Baby's First Years Qualitative Substudy, and the TRECS grant will be renewed. In addition, it is anticipated that a new grant award will be made for the Center for Research on Hispanic Children & Families and that 4 new grant awards will be made for Career Pathways Follow-up Studies.
Fiscal Year 2024 It is anticipated that the Center for Research on African American Children & Families, the Center for Research on Hispanic Children and Families, the 5 Family Self-Sufficiency Research Consortium Scholars, the 4 Career Pathways Follow-up Studies, the National Poverty Center, and the TRECS grant will be renewed. In addition, it is anticipated that there will be 8 new TANF Data Collaborative 2.0 grants. Section 413 of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. §613, as amended by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2017, Public Law 115-31 Grant awards and cooperative agreements may be made to or with governmental entities, colleges, universities, nonprofit and for-profit organizations (if fee is waived), and faith- and community-based organizations. Grant awards or cooperative agreements cannot be made directly to individuals or sole proprietorships. Faith-based and community organizations that meet the eligibility requirements are eligible to receive awards. Children, youth, and families, especially low-income families, will benefit. Applicants must present written evidence of other agencies' willingness to cooperate when the project involves the use of other agencies, facilities, or services. Nonprofit organizations must submit proof of nonprofit 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 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, 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 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 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. 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 365 days. Generally, solicited grants and cooperative agreements will be acted upon within 120 days. There is no appeal process for unsuccessful applicants. For existing recipients, appeals for disputes not related to unsuccessful applications may take place in accordance with 45 CFR Part 16, subject to the limitations of the Appendix A. Non-competing continuations will be issued based on availability of funds, satisfactory progress, compliance with grant 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 NOFO(s). Grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts are awarded for innovative research, demonstrations, and evaluations that are responsive to the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) program priorities. All applications must meet standards of excellence in research, demonstration, or evaluation design. Performance Reports: 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. 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 is mandatory. Recipients are often required to share in the cost of projects. Cost sharing may range up to 25 percent of the total approved project cost for grant awards or cooperative agreements.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. Funds are granted on a 1- to 5-year basis, with support beyond the first year contingent upon acceptable evidence of satisfactory progress, continuing program relevance, and availability of funds. Post award, the Division of Payment Management will establish an account from which a recipient may draw down awards. None/Not specified. Nancy Sanders
330 C St SW., 4625A
Washington, DC 20201 US
Nancy.Sanders@acf.hhs.gov
Phone: 202-795-7809 https://www.acf.hhs.gov/opre 75-1552-0-1-609 (Cooperative Agreements) FY 22$75,000.00; FY 23 est $475,000.00; FY 24 est $400,000.00; FY 21$224,556.00; FY 20$294,278.00; - Career Pathways Follow-up Studies(Cooperative Agreements) FY 22$1,100,000.00; FY 23 est $1,120,000.00; FY 24 est $900,000.00; FY 21$900,000.00; FY 20$0.00; - Center for Research on African American Children & Families(Cooperative Agreements) FY 22$199,999.00; FY 23 est $200,000.00; FY 24 est $200,000.00; FY 21$200,000.00; FY 20$0.00; - Tribal Research Center on Early Childhood (TRECS)(Cooperative Agreements) FY 22$500,000.00; FY 23 est $500,000.00; FY 24 est $500,000.00; FY 21$500,000.00; FY 20$0.00; - Center for Research on Hispanic Children & Families(Project Grants (Discretionary)) FY 22$3,598,187.00; FY 23 est $0.00; FY 24 est $0.00; FY 21$3,676,830.00; - Family Self-Sufficiency Demonstration Development Grants(Project Grants (Discretionary)) FY 22$93,323.00; FY 23 est $250,000.00; FY 24 est $0.00; - Baby's First Year Grant(Project Grants (Discretionary)) FY 22$25,000.00; FY 23 est $0.00; FY 24 est $0.00; - Society for Prevention Research(Cooperative Agreements) FY 22$492,857.00; FY 23 est $492,588.00; FY 24 est $493,182.00; - Family Self-Sufficiency Research Consortium(Cooperative Agreements) FY 22$0.00; FY 23 est $0.00; FY 24 est $1,040,000.00; - TANF Data Collaborative 2.0 (TDC 2.0) 2024 - 2026(Project Grants (Discretionary)) FY 22$550,000.00; FY 23 est $549,000.00; FY 24 est $550,000.00; - National Poverty Fellows For FY22, 32 awards were made: * 1 continuing grant award for the Center for Research on Hispanic Children & Families for $500,000 *1 continuing grant award for Center for Research on African American Children & Families for $1,100,000 * 1 continuing grant award for the Tribal Research Center on Early Childhood Development and Systems (TRECS) for $199,999 *20 continuing grant awards in the Family Self-Sufficiency Demonstration Developments for $3,598,187 *1 continuing grant award for the Baby's First Years Qualitative Substudy for $93,323 *1 continuing grant award for the National Poverty Center for $550,000 *1 grant award for Society For Prevention Research for $25,000 *5 new awards for the Family Self-Sufficiency Resource Consortium for $492,857 *1 new award for Career Pathways Follow-up Studies for $75,000 Not applicable. Not applicable.