Opportunity Information: Apply for HHS 2017 ACF ORR ZU 1139
Apply for HHS 2017 ACF ORR ZU 1139
- The HHS-ACF-ORR in the income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Home Study and Post Release Services for Unaccompanied Children" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.676.
- This funding opportunity was created on May 26, 2016 and posted on May 26, 2016.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 25, 2016. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $10,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Home Study and Post Release Services for Unaccompanied Children opportunity is a federal funding announcement from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), Division of Childrens Services (DCS). It supports organizations that can help ORR carry out two linked child welfare functions for unaccompanied children (UC) in ORR custody: (1) conducting home studies before a child is released to a sponsor in the United States, and (2) providing post release services after the child leaves ORR care. The work is grounded in the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPRA) of 2008, which sets requirements aimed at protecting children from trafficking, exploitation, and other risks during and after reunification with a sponsor.
The core purpose of the program is safety and stability during a particularly vulnerable transition period. ORR places certain categories of unaccompanied children into a home study referral process prior to release so that the proposed sponsor placement can be assessed for suitability and child safety. After the child is released, ORR uses post release services to help reduce risk, strengthen the sponsor households capacity to care for the child, and connect both the child and sponsor to community supports. Post release services are mandatory for every child who receives a home study. In addition, ORR may refer a case for post release services even when a home study is not required, if there is no immediate safety barrier to release but the child and sponsor are likely to need help linking to resources, navigating systems, or stabilizing after reunification.
This funding opportunity is structured as a cooperative agreement, meaning recipients should expect substantial federal involvement in program oversight, coordination, and adherence to ORR procedures. Applicants are required to apply to provide both home study and post release services, not just one component. Funded entities must follow ORR/DCS home study and post release services policies and procedures and operate in compliance with major governing legal frameworks, including the Flores Settlement Agreement and the Perez-Olano Settlement Agreement (CV05-3604, C.D. Cal., Dec. 14, 2010), along with other relevant regulations and laws. ORR specifically encourages applicants to review its published policies for unaccompanied children to understand operational expectations and compliance requirements.
Eligibility is broad and includes many types of public, private, and nonprofit entities. Eligible applicants listed include state, county, and local governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education in those nonprofit categories); for-profit organizations (including small businesses); and other unrestricted applicants as clarified by any additional eligibility language in the full announcement. The program is classified under CFDA 93.676 and the activity category of Income Security and Social Services, reflecting its emphasis on child welfare, case management, and supportive service coordination rather than direct immigration adjudication.
Key administrative details from the announcement include the funding opportunity number HHS 2017 ACF ORR ZU 1139 and an original and current closing date of July 25, 2016, with the FOA posted May 26, 2016. ORR anticipated making about 10 awards, with an award ceiling listed as $10,000,000. In practical terms, this signals an intent to fund a limited number of providers capable of delivering these services at scale, often across multiple geographies or with strong surge capacity, coordination mechanisms, and established child welfare expertise.
In short, this FOA is designed to build and maintain a network of qualified providers that can evaluate sponsor placements through home studies when required and then remain engaged after release through post release services. The overall goal is to improve safety, reduce exploitation risk, and help unaccompanied children and their sponsors successfully connect to education, health care, legal supports, and other community resources during reunification and early settlement in the United States.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the "Home Study and Post Release Services for Unaccompanied Children" funding opportunity?
It is a federal funding announcement from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), Division of Children's Services (DCS). The opportunity funds organizations to provide two connected child welfare functions for unaccompanied children (UC) in ORR custody: pre-release home studies and post release services after a child leaves ORR care.
Which federal office is administering this opportunity?
The opportunity is administered by HHS/ACF/ORR, specifically the ORR Division of Children's Services (DCS).
What are the two main services funded under this opportunity?
The two linked services are: (1) conducting home studies before an unaccompanied child is released to a sponsor in the United States, and (2) providing post release services after the child leaves ORR care.
What is the core purpose of the program?
The core purpose is to promote safety and stability for unaccompanied children during a vulnerable transition period, particularly around reunification with a sponsor. The program aims to assess sponsor placements for suitability and child safety and then support the child and sponsor after release to reduce risk and improve stability.
What law or policy framework is this program grounded in?
The work is grounded in the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPRA) of 2008, which sets requirements intended to protect children from trafficking, exploitation, and other risks during and after reunification with a sponsor.
When are home studies used for unaccompanied children in ORR custody?
ORR places certain categories of unaccompanied children into a home study referral process prior to release so the proposed sponsor placement can be assessed for suitability and child safety.
Are post release services required for every child?
Post release services are mandatory for every child who receives a home study.
Can ORR refer a case for post release services even if no home study is required?
Yes. ORR may refer a case for post release services even when a home study is not required, as long as there is no immediate safety barrier to release and the child and sponsor are likely to need support linking to resources, navigating systems, or stabilizing after reunification.
What do post release services generally focus on?
Post release services focus on reducing risk, strengthening the sponsor household's capacity to care for the child, and connecting the child and sponsor to community supports. The overall goal includes improving safety, reducing exploitation risk, and helping families connect to education, health care, legal supports, and other community resources after reunification.
What type of funding mechanism is used (grant vs. cooperative agreement)?
This opportunity is structured as a cooperative agreement, which means recipients should expect substantial federal involvement in oversight, coordination, and ensuring adherence to ORR procedures.
Does an applicant have to apply for both service components?
Yes. Applicants are required to apply to provide both home study services and post release services. Applications proposing only one component do not meet the stated requirement in the opportunity description provided.
What compliance expectations are identified for funded entities?
Funded entities must follow ORR/DCS home study and post release services policies and procedures and operate in compliance with major governing legal frameworks, including the Flores Settlement Agreement and the Perez-Olano Settlement Agreement (CV05-3604, C.D. Cal., Dec. 14, 2010), along with other relevant regulations and laws.
Does ORR recommend reviewing any specific materials before applying?
Yes. ORR specifically encourages applicants to review its published policies for unaccompanied children to understand operational expectations and compliance requirements.
Who is eligible to apply for this funding opportunity?
Eligibility is broad and includes many public, private, and nonprofit entities. Eligible applicants listed include: state, county, and local governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education in those nonprofit categories); for-profit organizations (including small businesses); and other unrestricted applicants as clarified by any additional eligibility language in the full announcement.
Are for-profit organizations eligible?
Yes. For-profit organizations, including small businesses, are listed as eligible applicants.
Are tribal governments and tribal organizations eligible?
Yes. Federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations are listed as eligible applicants.
What is the CFDA number and program category?
The program is classified under CFDA 93.676, and it is associated with the activity category of Income Security and Social Services.
What does the activity category suggest about the program's focus?
The Income Security and Social Services classification reflects an emphasis on child welfare, case management, and supportive service coordination rather than direct immigration adjudication.
What is the funding opportunity number (FOA number)?
The funding opportunity number listed is HHS-2017-ACF-ORR-ZU-1139.
When was the FOA posted, and what was the closing date?
The FOA was posted on May 26, 2016. The original and current closing date listed is July 25, 2016.
How many awards did ORR anticipate making?
ORR anticipated making about 10 awards.
What is the award ceiling listed in the announcement?
The award ceiling listed is $10,000,000.
What does "about 10 awards" and a high award ceiling imply about expected provider capacity?
It signals an intent to fund a limited number of providers capable of delivering services at scale, often across multiple geographies or with strong surge capacity, coordination mechanisms, and established child welfare expertise.
What is the overall goal of funding a network of home study and post release providers?
The goal is to build and maintain a network of qualified providers that can evaluate sponsor placements through home studies when required and then remain engaged after release through post release services, improving safety, reducing exploitation risk, and helping unaccompanied children and their sponsors connect to essential community resources.
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