Opportunity Information: Apply for HHS 2009 ACF OCSE FI 0014
Apply for HHS 2009 ACF OCSE FI 0014
- The Administration for Children and Families in the income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Special Improvement Project (SIP) Using New Methods to Improve Collection Rates" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.601 Child Support Enforcement Demonstrations and Special Projects.
- This funding opportunity was created on Feb 19, 2009 and posted on Feb 19, 2009.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 20, 2009 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 $300,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $100,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 3 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.
- Eligibility is open to all types of domestic applicants other than individuals. Individuals, including sole proprietorship organizatons, are not eligible under this announcement. Faith based and community organizations are eligible to apply. Foreign entities are not eligible under this announcement.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Special Improvement Project (SIP) grant opportunity, titled "Using New Methods to Improve Collection Rates," was a discretionary federal grant competition offered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Children and Families (ACF), through the Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE). The overall purpose was to support practical, improvement-focused projects that strengthen Child Support Enforcement (CSE) programs and advance the national child support mission: helping ensure children receive consistent financial and medical support from their parents. For FY 2009, the solicitation emphasized trying or expanding newer technology approaches and enforcement tools specifically aimed at increasing child support collections, with the broader expectation that funded work would produce lessons, methods, or models that could be useful beyond a single local setting.
Funding for the competition was approximately $300,000 total, with an expectation of about three awards. Individual awards could be up to $100,000 (award ceiling), and there was no stated minimum award amount (award floor of $0). Importantly, the program did not require cost sharing or a non-federal match, which lowered the barrier to participation for eligible organizations that might not have access to matching funds. The assistance listing associated with the opportunity was CFDA 93.601, Child Support Enforcement Demonstrations and Special Projects, reflecting its focus on pilots, demonstrations, and targeted improvements rather than ongoing operational funding.
Eligibility was broadly open to domestic applicants of most organizational types, with a key limitation: individuals were not eligible, including sole proprietorships. Faith-based and community organizations were explicitly eligible to apply, but foreign entities were not. Even though eligibility was described as unrestricted, the announcement made clear that these projects are intended to improve CSE programs, so collaboration with the official child support agencies mattered. In particular, if an applicant was not a Title IV-D agency (the state or local agency operating the child support program under Title IV-D of the Social Security Act), the applicant needed cooperation from a Title IV-D agency to successfully operate the proposed project. This effectively meant that many non-IV-D applicants would need a strong partnership and clear coordination plan with the public agency that runs the child support program.
The solicitation also encouraged applicants to improve CSE services for Tribal customers by involving Tribal IV-D agencies. This points to an interest in approaches that work well in Tribal communities, strengthen coordination between systems, or address barriers to collections and service delivery that may be more pronounced in Tribal contexts. While not framed as a requirement for all applicants, the language signals that proposals incorporating Tribal partnerships or directly benefiting Tribal participants would be viewed as aligned with OCSE priorities.
For projects developed jointly by more than one agency or organization, the announcement required that a single lead organization be designated as the official applicant. That lead entity would receive and manage the grant award, while other participating entities could be formally included as co-participants, subgrantees, or subcontractors. The announcement also required written authorization from participating partners, reinforcing that OCSE expected partnerships to be clearly documented and roles to be defined, not informal or assumed.
Administratively, the opportunity was posted on February 19, 2009, with an application deadline of April 20, 2009. Applications submitted through Grants.gov had to be received by 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time on the closing date, a common federal requirement that can be consequential for applicants relying on electronic submission systems. The opportunity was later archived on May 20, 2009. The funding opportunity number was HHS-2009-ACF-OCSE-FI-0014, and the awarding agency was ACF under HHS. Applicants needing help accessing the full announcement were directed to the ACF Applications Help Desk at appsupport@acf.hhs.gov, which functioned as the primary technical support contact.
In practical terms, this SIP competition was designed to fund focused, time-limited improvement efforts that test or implement new collection-related methods, particularly those involving technology or enforcement innovations, while ensuring close coordination with the government agencies responsible for child support operations. The structure of the program, including modest award sizes, a small number of awards, no match requirement, and a strong emphasis on IV-D cooperation, reflects OCSEs intent to catalyze targeted innovations that can be demonstrated, evaluated, and potentially replicated to improve collection outcomes across the child support system.
Special Improvement Project (SIP) Grant: Using New Methods to Improve Collection Rates - FAQs
What is the title of this grant opportunity?
The grant opportunity is titled "Using New Methods to Improve Collection Rates" and was offered under the Special Improvement Project (SIP) program.
Which federal agency offered this funding?
This was a discretionary federal grant competition offered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Children and Families (ACF), through the Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE).
What is the overall purpose of the SIP grant competition?
The purpose was to support practical, improvement-focused projects that strengthen Child Support Enforcement (CSE) programs and advance the national child support mission of helping ensure children receive consistent financial and medical support from their parents.
What was the FY 2009 focus of this solicitation?
For FY 2009, the solicitation emphasized trying or expanding newer technology approaches and enforcement tools specifically aimed at increasing child support collections, with an expectation that the funded work would generate lessons, methods, or models useful beyond a single local setting.
How much total funding was available through this competition?
Total funding for the competition was approximately $300,000.
How many awards were expected to be made?
The competition expected to make about three awards.
What was the maximum award amount per project?
The award ceiling was up to $100,000 per award.
Was there a minimum award amount?
No minimum award amount was stated. The opportunity listed an award floor of $0.
Was cost sharing or matching funds required?
No. The program did not require cost sharing or a non-federal match.
What is the Assistance Listing (CFDA) number associated with this opportunity?
The associated Assistance Listing/CFDA was 93.601, titled Child Support Enforcement Demonstrations and Special Projects.
Who was eligible to apply?
Eligibility was broadly open to domestic applicants of most organizational types, with a key limitation that individuals were not eligible, including sole proprietorships. Foreign entities were not eligible.
Are faith-based or community organizations eligible?
Yes. The announcement explicitly stated that faith-based and community organizations were eligible to apply.
Are individuals or sole proprietorships eligible to apply?
No. The opportunity specifically excluded individuals, including sole proprietorships.
Are foreign organizations eligible to apply?
No. The eligibility information indicated that foreign entities were not eligible.
Do applicants need to be a Title IV-D agency to apply?
The eligibility description was broad, but the announcement made clear that projects were intended to improve CSE programs. If an applicant was not a Title IV-D agency, the applicant would need cooperation from a Title IV-D agency to successfully operate the proposed project.
What is a Title IV-D agency in the context of this grant?
A Title IV-D agency is the state or local public agency that operates the child support program under Title IV-D of the Social Security Act.
Why does cooperation with a Title IV-D agency matter for non-IV-D applicants?
Because the projects are intended to improve CSE programs, operational success would typically require coordination with the official public agency responsible for child support functions. The announcement noted that non-IV-D applicants would need Title IV-D cooperation, effectively making partnership and coordination planning important elements of a viable proposal.
Did the solicitation encourage involvement of Tribal IV-D agencies?
Yes. The solicitation encouraged applicants to improve CSE services for Tribal customers by involving Tribal IV-D agencies, signaling OCSE interest in approaches that work well in Tribal communities and improve coordination or address barriers to collections and service delivery.
Was partnering with a Tribal IV-D agency required?
The announcement language described Tribal involvement as an encouragement rather than a universal requirement, but it clearly signaled alignment with OCSE priorities for proposals that incorporate Tribal partnerships or directly benefit Tribal participants.
If multiple organizations collaborate, can they submit a joint application?
Yes, but the announcement required that a single lead organization be designated as the official applicant. The lead organization would receive and manage the grant award, while other entities could participate as co-participants, subgrantees, or subcontractors.
What documentation was required for partnerships?
The announcement required written authorization from participating partners, reflecting an expectation that partnerships be clearly documented with defined roles rather than informal arrangements.
When was the opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted on February 19, 2009.
What was the application deadline?
The application deadline was April 20, 2009.
What was the Grants.gov submission deadline time?
Applications submitted through Grants.gov had to be received by 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time on the closing date.
When was the opportunity archived?
The opportunity was later archived on May 20, 2009.
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number was HHS-2009-ACF-OCSE-FI-0014.
Where could applicants get technical help accessing the full announcement?
Applicants needing help were directed to the ACF Applications Help Desk at appsupport@acf.hhs.gov.
What kinds of projects was OCSE trying to support with this funding?
This SIP competition was designed to fund focused, time-limited improvement efforts that test or implement new collection-related methods, particularly those involving technology or enforcement innovations, while producing results that could potentially be replicated to improve collection outcomes across the broader child support system.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Income Security and Social Services
Next opportunity: Special Improvement Project (SIP) Improving Child Support Enforcement (CSE) and Court Collaboration
Previous opportunity: FY2009 IPP SEED FUND CALL ANNOUNCEMENT
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|---|
| Special Improvement Project (SIP) Improving Child Support Enforcement (CSE) and Court Collaboration Apply for HHS 2009 ACF OCSE FI 0018 Funding Number: HHS 2009 ACF OCSE FI 0018 Agency: Administration for Children and Families Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Head Start Replacement Grantee Jefferson Davis Parish, Louisiana Apply for HHS 2009 ACF OHS CH R06 7001 Funding Number: HHS 2009 ACF OHS CH R06 7001 Agency: Administration for Children and Families Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $1,271,197 |
| Early Head Start Replacement Grantee Northeast Harris County, Texas Apply for HHS 2009 ACF OHS CH R06 7002 Funding Number: HHS 2009 ACF OHS CH R06 7002 Agency: Administration for Children and Families Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $680,521 |
| Early Head Start Replacement Grantee St. Louis City, Missouri Apply for HHS 2009 ACF OHS CH R07 7001 Funding Number: HHS 2009 ACF OHS CH R07 7001 Agency: Administration for Children and Families Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $754,971 |
| Head Start Replacement Grantee Northern San Diego County, California (Borrego Springs, Carlsbad, Encinitas, Escondido, Poway, Ramona and Solana Beach) Apply for HHS 2009 ACF OHS CH R09 7002 Funding Number: HHS 2009 ACF OHS CH R09 7002 Agency: Administration for Children and Families Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $15,672,473 |
| Early Head Start Replacement Grantee Northern San Diego County, California (Borrego Springs, Carlsbad, Encinitas, Escondido, Poway, Ramona and Solana Beach) Apply for HHS 2009 ACF OHS CH R09 7003 Funding Number: HHS 2009 ACF OHS CH R09 7003 Agency: Administration for Children and Families Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $1,115,966 |
| University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDDs) Apply for HHS 2009 ACF ADD DD 0084 Funding Number: HHS 2009 ACF ADD DD 0084 Agency: Administration for Children and Families Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $528,000 |
| National Resource Center for Youth Development Apply for HHS 2009 ACF ACYF CZ 0066 Funding Number: HHS 2009 ACF ACYF CZ 0066 Agency: Administration for Children and Families Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $1,250,000 |
| National Resource Center for Adoption Apply for HHS 2009 ACF ACYF CZ 0065 Funding Number: HHS 2009 ACF ACYF CZ 0065 Agency: Administration for Children and Families Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $1,200,000 |
| National Resource Center for Child Protective Services Apply for HHS 2009 ACF ACYF CZ 0015 Funding Number: HHS 2009 ACF ACYF CZ 0015 Agency: Administration for Children and Families Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $1,200,000 |
| National Resource Center for Child Welfare Organizational Improvement Apply for HHS 2009 ACF ACYF CZ 0016 Funding Number: HHS 2009 ACF ACYF CZ 0016 Agency: Administration for Children and Families Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $1,400,000 |
| National Resource Center for Child Welfare Data and Technology Apply for HHS 2009 ACF ACYF CZ 0054 Funding Number: HHS 2009 ACF ACYF CZ 0054 Agency: Administration for Children and Families Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| Section 1115 Demonstration Grants Projects to Support Data Analysis of Arrearage Apply for HHS 2009 ACF OCSE FD 0019 Funding Number: HHS 2009 ACF OCSE FD 0019 Agency: Administration for Children and Families Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $60,000 |
| Section 1115 Demonstration Projects in Support of the PAID Initiative Apply for HHS 2009 ACF OCSE FD 0052 Funding Number: HHS 2009 ACF OCSE FD 0052 Agency: Administration for Children and Families Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Section 1115 Demonstration Grants Projects that Provide Family Centered Services for Unwed Parents in the IV D Caseload Apply for HHS 2009 ACF OCSE FD 0017 Funding Number: HHS 2009 ACF OCSE FD 0017 Agency: Administration for Children and Families Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Section 1115 Demonstration Grants Projects in Support of the Prisoner Reentry Initiative Apply for HHS 2009 ACF OCSE FD 0013 Funding Number: HHS 2009 ACF OCSE FD 0013 Agency: Administration for Children and Families Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Rigorous Evaluations of Existing Child Abuse Prevention Programs Apply for HHS 2009 ACF ACYF CA 0055 Funding Number: HHS 2009 ACF ACYF CA 0055 Agency: Administration for Children and Families Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Community Economic Development Projects Apply for HHS 2009 ACF OCS EE 0034 Funding Number: HHS 2009 ACF OCS EE 0034 Agency: Administration for Children and Families Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $800,000 |
| Abandoned Infants Assistance Comprehensive Support Services for Families Affected by Substance Abuse and/or HIV/AIDS Apply for HHS 2009 ACF ACYF CB 0060 Funding Number: HHS 2009 ACF ACYF CB 0060 Agency: Administration for Children and Families Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $475,000 |
| National Resource Center for In Home Services Apply for HHS 2009 ACF ACYF CZ 0068 Funding Number: HHS 2009 ACF ACYF CZ 0068 Agency: Administration for Children and Families Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $950,000 |
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