Opportunity Information: Apply for HHS 2011 ACF ORR RG 0160
Apply for HHS 2011 ACF ORR RG 0160
- The Administration for Children and Families in the income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Discretionary Funds for Refugee Childcare Microenterprise Development Project" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.576 Refugee and Entrant AssistanceDiscretionary Grants.
- This funding opportunity was created on Dec 5, 2011 and posted on May 4, 2011.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 5, 2011 See link to full announcement for details. IMPORTANT NOTE Applications submitted electronically via Grants.gov must be submitted no later than 430 p.m., eastern time, on the due date referenced above.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $2,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $300,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 15 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: City or township governments Public and State controlled institutions of higher education County governments Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification) Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education State governments Private institutions of higher education.
- Eligible applicants for refugee programs under 412(c)(1)(A) are quotpublic and private non profit agencies.quot Faith based and community organizations that meet eligibility requirements are eligible to receive awards under this funding opportunity announcement. Individuals, foreign entities, and sole proprietorship organizations are not eligible to compete for, or receive, awards made under this announcement.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Discretionary Funds for Refugee Childcare Microenterprise Development Project (Funding Opportunity Number HHS 2011 ACF ORR RG 0160) was a discretionary grant competition run by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families (ACF), under the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). The program sat within the Income Security and Social Services funding area and was tied to CFDA 93.576 (Refugee and Entrant Assistance - Discretionary Grants). Its central purpose was to expand economic self-sufficiency for refugee women by helping them launch or formalize small childcare businesses (microenterprises) while also supporting their broader integration into U.S. systems and expectations around childcare.
At its core, the project aimed to address two needs at once: the employment and income barriers faced by refugee women, and the persistent shortage of childcare providers in many communities. The approach emphasized a childcare mentoring model, where mentors would guide refugee women through the practical and regulatory steps required to provide childcare in compliance with state requirements. This mentoring was also intended to support cultural orientation and integration, helping participants understand U.S. childcare norms, expectations for safety and quality, and how local childcare systems work.
A key feature of the opportunity was its focus on helping participants become eligible for public reimbursement streams by establishing agreements or contracts with state or county childcare offices. In practical terms, that meant supporting refugee women to navigate licensing or approval pathways and to meet documentation and program participation requirements so they could qualify as childcare service providers within state or county subsidy systems. The funding description specifically highlighted the goal of enabling women to receive state or county childcare reimbursement, which can be essential for stabilizing income and ensuring a steady client base.
The grant also tied microenterprise development to skill-building and human capital outcomes. It explicitly referenced assisting with English language acquisition and advancing educational attainment, including GED progress, alongside the development of job skills that could be applied directly in the childcare market. In other words, the grant was not only about starting a small business, but also about strengthening the underlying language, education, and employability foundations that help participants sustain work and advance economically over time.
In terms of award structure, ACF estimated total available funding at $2,000,000, with an expectation of making about 15 awards. Individual awards were anticipated to range from a floor of $100,000 to a ceiling of $300,000. There was no cost-sharing or matching requirement, which typically lowers barriers for community-based organizations that may not have access to large pools of unrestricted funds.
Eligibility was broad across public and nonprofit sectors, including state governments, county governments, and city or township governments, as well as public and private institutions of higher education and nonprofit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and certain non-501(c)(3) nonprofits). The eligibility language also emphasized that under the relevant refugee program authority, eligible applicants are public and private nonprofit agencies, and it clarified that faith-based and community organizations could apply if they met the standard eligibility requirements. Individuals, foreign entities, and sole proprietorships were explicitly not eligible.
Administratively, the announcement noted that it had been modified after initial publication, with changes made to the Funding Opportunity Description section (specifically the allowable activities) and to the Project Description section (specifically the outcomes expected). It also stated that the review criteria were re-ordered without changing their content, which suggests the substance of what reviewers looked for remained the same even if the presentation changed.
The posting date for the opportunity was May 4, 2011, with an application closing date of July 5, 2011. For applicants submitting through Grants.gov, the deadline was no later than 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time on the due date. The opportunity was later archived on December 23, 2011. For access issues with the full announcement, applicants were directed to the ACF Applications Help Desk at appsupport@acf.hhs.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Discretionary Funds for Refugee Childcare Microenterprise Development Project?
It was a discretionary grant competition administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Children and Families (ACF), through the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). The opportunity focused on helping refugee women start or formalize small childcare businesses (microenterprises) while supporting their integration into U.S. childcare systems and expectations.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) for this grant?
The Funding Opportunity Number was HHS 2011 ACF ORR RG 0160.
Which agency and program area did this funding come from?
The funding was run by HHS/ACF under ORR, and it sat within the Income Security and Social Services funding area.
What CFDA program was this opportunity tied to?
It was tied to CFDA 93.576, Refugee and Entrant Assistance - Discretionary Grants.
What was the main purpose of the project?
The central purpose was to expand economic self-sufficiency for refugee women by supporting them to launch or formalize childcare microenterprises, while also helping them understand and meet U.S. childcare norms, safety/quality expectations, and regulatory requirements.
What two community needs was the project designed to address?
The project aimed to address (1) employment and income barriers faced by refugee women, and (2) ongoing shortages of childcare providers in many communities.
What kind of service model did the opportunity emphasize?
The opportunity emphasized a childcare mentoring model, where mentors would guide refugee women through practical and regulatory steps needed to provide childcare in compliance with state requirements. The mentoring approach also supported cultural orientation and integration into U.S. childcare expectations.
How did the grant connect microenterprise development to public childcare reimbursement?
A key feature was helping participants become eligible for public reimbursement streams by establishing agreements or contracts with state or county childcare offices. The description highlighted enabling refugee women to qualify for state or county childcare reimbursement by navigating licensing or approval pathways and meeting documentation and program participation requirements.
Why was state or county childcare reimbursement highlighted as important?
The opportunity noted that reimbursement can be essential for stabilizing income and maintaining a steady client base for childcare providers operating within state or county subsidy systems.
Was the project only about starting a childcare business?
No. The grant also explicitly connected microenterprise development to skill-building and human capital outcomes, including English language acquisition, educational progress (including GED progress), and job skills that could be applied directly in the childcare market.
What was the estimated total amount of funding available?
ACF estimated total available funding at $2,000,000.
How many awards were expected?
About 15 awards were expected.
What was the anticipated award size?
Individual awards were anticipated to range from $100,000 (floor) to $300,000 (ceiling).
Was a cost share or matching contribution required?
No. The opportunity stated there was no cost-sharing or matching requirement.
Who was eligible to apply?
Eligibility included a broad range of public and nonprofit entities: state governments, county governments, city or township governments, public and private institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations (including 501(c)(3) and certain non-501(c)(3) nonprofits). The eligibility language also emphasized that under the relevant refugee program authority, eligible applicants are public and private nonprofit agencies.
Could faith-based or community organizations apply?
Yes. The announcement clarified that faith-based and community organizations could apply if they met the standard eligibility requirements.
Who was not eligible to apply?
Individuals, foreign entities, and sole proprietorships were explicitly not eligible.
Were there any modifications made to the announcement after it was first published?
Yes. The announcement stated it was modified after initial publication. Changes were made to the Funding Opportunity Description section (allowable activities) and the Project Description section (expected outcomes). It also noted the review criteria were re-ordered without changing their content.
Did the review criteria change when they were re-ordered?
The announcement indicated that the review criteria were re-ordered but that their content did not change.
What were the key dates for this opportunity?
The posting date was May 4, 2011. The application closing date was July 5, 2011. The opportunity was archived on December 23, 2011.
What was the submission deadline time for Grants.gov applications?
For applicants submitting through Grants.gov, applications were due no later than 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time on the due date.
Where could applicants get help if they had trouble accessing the full announcement?
The announcement directed applicants to the ACF Applications Help Desk at appsupport@acf.hhs.gov for access issues with the full announcement.
What overall participant outcomes did this grant aim to support, based on the description provided?
Based on the description, the project aimed to support refugee women in (1) launching or formalizing childcare microenterprises, (2) understanding and complying with state childcare requirements, (3) integrating into U.S. childcare systems and expectations, (4) accessing state or county reimbursement systems via agreements/contracts and required approvals, and (5) strengthening English, education (including GED progress), and market-relevant job skills tied to childcare work.
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| Community Economic Development (CED) Projects Apply for HHS 2011 ACF OCS EE 0178 Funding Number: HHS 2011 ACF OCS EE 0178 Agency: Administration for Children and Families Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $800,000 |
| Head Start Replacement Grant Rockingham County, New Hampshire Apply for HHS 2011 ACF OHS CH R01 0218 Funding Number: HHS 2011 ACF OHS CH R01 0218 Agency: Administration for Children and Families Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $1,519,701 |
| Early Head Start Replacement Grantee Somerville, Massachusetts Apply for HHS 2011 ACF OHS CH R01 0238 Funding Number: HHS 2011 ACF OHS CH R01 0238 Agency: Administration for Children and Families Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $1,259,087 |
| Head Start Replacement Grant Westfield, West Springfield and Agawam, Southwick, Tolland, Russell, Blandford, Chester, Middlefield, Montgomery, Huntington, and Worthington, Massachusetts Apply for HHS 2011 ACF OHS CH R01 0219 Funding Number: HHS 2011 ACF OHS CH R01 0219 Agency: Administration for Children and Families Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $1,554,394 |
| Early Head Start Replacement Grantee Washington, DC Apply for HHS 2011 ACF OHS CH R03 0247 Funding Number: HHS 2011 ACF OHS CH R03 0247 Agency: Administration for Children and Families Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $1,211,681 |
| Head Start Replacement Grantee Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Apply for HHS 2011 ACF OHS CH R03 0224 Funding Number: HHS 2011 ACF OHS CH R03 0224 Agency: Administration for Children and Families Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $5,263,981 |
| Early Head Start Replacement Grantee Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Apply for HHS 2011 ACF OHS CH R03 0244 Funding Number: HHS 2011 ACF OHS CH R03 0244 Agency: Administration for Children and Families Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $1,193,248 |
| Head Start Replacement Grantee Brevard County, Florida Apply for HHS 2011 ACF OHS CH R04 0225 Funding Number: HHS 2011 ACF OHS CH R04 0225 Agency: Administration for Children and Families Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $4,633,843 |
| Early Head Start Replacement Grantee Brevard County, Florida Apply for HHS 2011 ACF OHS CH R04 0245 Funding Number: HHS 2011 ACF OHS CH R04 0245 Agency: Administration for Children and Families Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $1,071,604 |
| Early Head Start Replacement Grantee Bamberg County, South Carolina Apply for HHS 2011 ACF OHS CH R04 0248 Funding Number: HHS 2011 ACF OHS CH R04 0248 Agency: Administration for Children and Families Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $527,619 |
| Early Head Start Replacement Grantee Washington County, Mississippi Apply for HHS 2011 ACF OHS CH R04 0246 Funding Number: HHS 2011 ACF OHS CH R04 0246 Agency: Administration for Children and Families Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $894,899 |
| Head Start Replacement Grantee Northern San Diego, California (Borrego Springs, Ramona and Poway) Apply for HHS 2011 ACF OHS CH R09 0228 Funding Number: HHS 2011 ACF OHS CH R09 0228 Agency: Administration for Children and Families Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $3,994,663 |
| Early Head Start Replacement Grantee Riverside County, California Apply for HHS 2011 ACF OHS CH R09 0249 Funding Number: HHS 2011 ACF OHS CH R09 0249 Agency: Administration for Children and Families Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $427,474 |
| Head Start Replacement Grantee Compton, Lynwood, Paramount, and South Los Angeles, California Apply for HHS 2011 ACF OHS CH R09 0229 Funding Number: HHS 2011 ACF OHS CH R09 0229 Agency: Administration for Children and Families Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $16,493,151 |
| Early Head Start Replacement Grantee Compton, Lynwood, Paramount, and South Los Angeles, California Apply for HHS 2011 ACF OHS CH R09 0250 Funding Number: HHS 2011 ACF OHS CH R09 0250 Agency: Administration for Children and Families Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $881,190 |
| Head Start Replacement Grant DuPage County, Illinois Apply for HHS 2011 ACF OHS CH R05 0230 Funding Number: HHS 2011 ACF OHS CH R05 0230 Agency: Administration for Children and Families Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $4,328,082 |
| Early Head Start Replacement Grantee DuPage County, Illinois Apply for HHS 2011 ACF OHS CH R05 0251 Funding Number: HHS 2011 ACF OHS CH R05 0251 Agency: Administration for Children and Families Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $1,066,169 |
| Head Start Replacement Grant City of Detroit, Michigan Apply for HHS 2011 ACF OHS CH R05 0231 Funding Number: HHS 2011 ACF OHS CH R05 0231 Agency: Administration for Children and Families Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $2,391,452 |
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