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  5. FAQ: FY 2022 MIECHV Non-Competing Continuation Update (NCC Update)

FAQ: FY 2022 MIECHV Non-Competing Continuation Update (NCC Update)

Purpose

This Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) document serves as a resource for MIECHV awardees in developing applications in response to the FY 2022 Non-Competing Continuation Update. Awardees are advised to fully read FY 2022 NCC Update (PDF - 434 KB) in its entirety for complete information.

Additional Resources

Table of Contents

  1. Funding and Eligibility
  2. Application Submission
  3. Project Narrative
  4. Budget
  5. Other

I. Funding and Eligibility

How much total funding is available for FY 2022 MIECHV formula grants?
In FY 2022, up to $340 million is available for awards to the 56 eligible entities that currently receive FY 2021 MIECHV formula funding to continue to deliver coordinated and comprehensive high-quality, and voluntary early childhood home visiting services to eligible families.

How were award ceiling amounts calculated?
The following formula is applied to FY 2022 funding available to states, nonprofit organizations, and territories:

  • Need-Funding – Approximately one-third of the grant allocation available under this funding opportunity is designated as need-based and is distributed based on the proportion of children under age five living in poverty as calculated by the Census Bureau’s Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates (SAIPE). 2020 SAIPE data will be used to the extent available, and these data may vary from previous year’s SAIPE data. The Puerto Rico Community Survey (PRCS) data will be used as a proxy to determine need funding for Puerto Rico.

     

    There is a $1.0 million minimum need-based award for recipients.

    In typical years, the need-based calculated award amount is reduced by the proportion of the most recent year’s de-obligated amount to that total year’s award. This year, however, due to the impacts of the COVID-19 public health emergency that may have affected awardee’s ability to fully expend FY 2018 grant funds, de-obligated funds will not be considered in the funding formula for FY 2022 award calculations.

  • Base Funding – Approximately two-thirds of the grant allocation available under this funding opportunity was proportionally distributed based on each recipient’s base funding portion of the FY 2021 formula grant award ceiling amounts.
  • Guard Rails – In an effort to maintain stability, the total amount for which an applicant may apply was adjusted, where appropriate, to ensure that any available recipient funding does not fluctuate by more than five percent from the prior year award.
  • Sequestration – Sequestration continues to impact formula awards in FY 2022. As in past years, HRSA’s goal is to minimize the impact of sequestration on formula grants to avoid reductions in services to families and communities. After calculating the need and base portions of the formula, all award ceiling amounts were reduced by the same percentage to ensure that the impacts of sequestration are evenly distributed across awardees.

How much can eligible entities request?
Eligible entities may not request more than the total grant award ceiling for their state, territory or jurisdiction, and may choose to request less. Award ceiling amounts for each eligible entity were sent via the HRSA Electronic Handbooks (EHBs) to MIECHV Program Directors and Authorizing Officials on March 10, 2022.

When will awards be issued?
HRSA expects to issue Notices of Award prior to the project period start date of September 30, 2022.

What is the period of performance?
The period of performance extends from September 30, 2022 to September 29, 2024.

II. Application Submission

Who can submit the application?
Only the EHB-designated Authorizing Official (AO) can submit the application to HRSA. Program Directors (PDs) and other authorized staff may prepare the application for review and submission by the AO. Applicants are strongly advised to communicate with the AO and leave adequate time to complete the submission process prior to the deadline. Please refer to the EHBs Applicant User Guide for complete instructions on how to submit the application.

Where can I obtain a copy of the FY 2022 NCC Update?
The FY 2022 NCC Update (PDF - 434 KB) is accessible on HRSA’s MIECHV Program webpage.

When are applications due?
The application deadline is Monday, June 6, 2022 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. HRSA suggests submitting applications to Grants.gov at least three business days before the deadline to allow for any unforeseen circumstances. Applications must be complete, within the specified page limit, and submitted prior to the deadline to be considered under this notice.

When will the HRSA Electronic Handbooks (EHBs) module be available for NCC Update submission?
The HRSA EHBs module is available for submissions now. Please refer to the EHBs Applicant User Guide for complete instructions on how to submit the application.

What is the activity code for this grant award?
The activity code for this grant is X10.

Where is the eligibility code to access the EHBs?
See the EHBs email communication sent on March 10, 2022 to AOs and PDs designated in the EHBs for the eligibility code to access the EHBs. If you did not receive this email, please contact your HRSA Project Officer.

What is main difference between application submission requirements this year compared to last year?
This year, applications should be submitted in the EHBs by accessing an EHBs link and eligibility code sent to AOs and PDs designated in the EHBs. Last year, FY 2021 funding applications were submitted on the Grants.gov workspace.

Are there any major changes to program activities and expectations in FY 2022?
Program activities and expectations in FY 2022 are largely consistent with those in FY 2021.

However, please note a few changes in FY 2022:

  • Due to the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 public health emergency, de-obligated funds will not be considered in the FY 2022 funding formula. The need-based calculated award amount that is typically reduced by the proportion of the most recent year’s de-obligated amount to that total year’s award will not be considered. Sequestration also continues to impact FY2022 funding award amounts.
  • A new “Project Abstract Summary” form has been included as part of the SF-424 application. It is no longer a separate attachment and does not count towards the 50-page application limit.
  • This year we are adding a new evidence-based home visiting model based on the Home Visiting Evidence of Effectiveness (HomVEE) review of the Promoting First Relationships®— Home Visiting Intervention Model.
  • Attachment 5, Current Organizational Chart, is now a required submission for all applicants.

What is in a complete FY 2022 NCC Update submission?
A complete submission includes four parts:

  1. The first is completion of two standard OMB forms built in the EHBs:
    • SF-424 Instructions for Application for Federal Assistance; and
      • Note: The “Project Abstract Summary” form is now included as part of the SF-424 application and does not count towards the 50-page limit.
    • SF-424A Budget Information - Non-construction Programs.

The remaining parts of the application must be uploaded under the applicable section in the EHBs:

  1. FY 2022 Project Narrative
  2. FY 2022 Budget Narrative
  3. Attachments
    • Note: There are five required attachments for all applications this year; Attachment 5, Current Organizational Chart, is a new required attachment. All other attachments must be submitted, as applicable.

How do I submit my Project Abstract this year?
Effective as of April 22, 2021, there is a new “Project Abstract Summary” form that is part of the SF-424 application. Applicants must make sure the project abstract summary is clear, accurate, concise and without reference to other parts of the application, as it is often distributed to provide information to the public and Congress. It is no longer a separate attachment, and the new Project Abstract Summary does not count towards the 50-page limit.

Which attachments are required?
Attachments 1 through 5 are required for all applications. All other attachments are required as applicable. Please read the NCC Update carefully to assess which additional attachments are required in your submission.

Required Attachments:

  • Attachment 1: Work Plan Timeline
  • Attachment 2: MIECHV Communities, Local Implementing Agencies, and Caseload of Family Slots
  • Attachment 3: Period of Availability Spreadsheet
  • Attachment 4: Maintenance of Effort Chart
  • Attachment 5: Current Organizational Chart
  • Attachment 6: (Only if applicable) Model Developer Documentation for Enhancements
  • Attachment 7: (Only if applicable) Indirect Cost Rate Agreement
  • Attachment 8: (Only if applicable) New or Revised MOUs or Letters of Agreement
  • Attachments 9-15: Other Relevant Documents

If I elect to implement a model enhancement, what do I need to submit in my application?
If you are proposing to implement any model enhancement(s) in FY 2022, in the context of a MIECHV-funded home visiting model, you will need to provide a summary of the enhancement(s) to be implemented, including which LIAs will use the enhancement(s), and any training that has been or will be completed. Further, you must provide documentation of model developer concurrence as Attachment 6.

If you are not proposing any model enhancements, clearly state this.

III. Project Narrative

Are there major changes to the information I have to report in the Project Narrative this year?
The FY 2022 NCC Update Project Narrative is similar to the FY 2020 NCC Update regarding the amount of information you have to report to HRSA, and consists of two main parts: 1) Progress to date and significant changes since the beginning of the FY 2021 period of performance to the present; and 2) proposed activities for the FY 2022 period of performance, extending from September 30, 2022 through September 29, 2024. This format is used as an alternative to HRSA’s traditional Notice of Funding Opportunity and is intended to be a lighter lift for awardees in comparison to a full NOFO. The NCC Update gives awardees an opportunity to report back and provide updates on grant-supported activities since the submission and approval of the FY 2021 MIECHV Formula Awards, as well as proposed plans for the use of this upcoming year’s FY2022 Formula Awards, without having to respond to the more extensive NOFO.

Instructions for the Project Narrative start on page 4 of the FY 2022 NCC Update.

Do I need to address all of the instructions for the Project Narrative, even if nothing has changed since my last application?
Yes. You should provide concise yet thorough responses to all applicable instructions in the Project Narrative section. Noting only that something has not changed since your previous funding application is not an adequate response.

Will the Technical Assistance (TA) Resource Tables be made available again this year?
Yes. The FY 2022 NCC Update TA Resource Tables are available this year.

Do I have to use the templates included in the TA Resource Tables?
No. The FY 2022 NCC Update TA Resource Tables are for optional use. You can use templates of your own, if you wish, as long as they include the required information outlined in the NCC Update.

IV. Budget

Are fees/dues related to membership in a professional or technical organizations an allowable expenditure under the MIECHV grant?
Yes. Organizational membership in business, professional, or technical organizations or societies are generally allowable costs, if paid according to an established organizational policy consistently applied regardless of the source of funds. Costs of membership in any country club or social or dining club or organization are unallowable. Costs of membership in organizations whose purpose is lobbying are also unallowable.

How should I budget for the All Grantee Meeting?
You should budget for one All Grantee Meeting (AGM) in the Washington, D.C. area for up to five people for five days. Meeting attendance is a grant requirement. If you want to bring more than five people, please consult with your HRSA Project Officer. You may budget any remaining FY 2021 formula funds, as applicable, to support the costs this meeting. Further, if travel cannot be completed during the period of performance because of circumstances beyond your control, funds budgeted for travel may be rebudgeted.

How should I report the level of effort for home visitor personnel (e.g., full-time equivalent)?
For each LIA contract, you must provide a breakdown of costs, including the level of effort for home visitor personnel (e.g., full-time equivalent). Both of the following examples are allowable:

  • Example 1: HV 1: 100%; HV 2: 75%; HV 3: 50%; or HV 4: 50%; or
  • Example 2: 1 home visitor at 100% FTE; 1 home visitor at 75% FTE; 2 home visitors at 50% FTE.

Please note that HRSA reserves the right to request a more detailed, line item breakdown for each contract.

Can I propose FY 2022 formula funds to support continuous quality improvement (CQI) activities as part of my CQI Plan?
Yes. Proposed activities for CQI should align with your HRSA-approved CQI Plan.

What is the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (P.L. 116-260) and what are the implications for MIECHV FY2022 formula funding?
On December 27, 2020, the President signed into law the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (P.L. 116-260). This bill includes provisions to respond to the ongoing COVID-19 public health emergency. Among many other provisions, the bill includes language specific to the MIECHV Program and home visiting’s response to COVID-19. More information regarding these provisions is available on HRSA’s website.

How do I reflect activities supported by American Rescue Plan Act (ARP) funds in my FY22 MIECHV formula funding application?
Your application should reflect activities funded supported by MIECHV formula funds, and should not include ARP-funded activities.

V. Other

Is Attachment 7 (Indirect Cost Rate Agreement or Cost Allocation Plan) a required attachment this year?
If your organization has an approved indirect cost rate agreement or cost allocation plan and will charge the MIECHV grant for indirect costs, the approved indirect cost rate agreement must be included with the application as Attachment 7. The approved rate used to calculate the indirect costs must also be reflected in the budget narrative.

What are my options for conducting a Coordinated State Evaluation (CSE)?
Beginning with the FY 2021 MIECHV Formula Award NOFO, HRSA moved to a coordinated evaluation approach for voluntary state-led evaluation. In FY 2022, HRSA is supporting two options for recipients interested in conducting CSE:

  1. Continuation of an existing CSE; or
  2. Joining the existing Implementation Quality/Fidelity CSE peer network.
    • Recipients who did not elect to participate in CSE as part of their FY 2021 formula award application have the opportunity to propose a new “implementation quality/fidelity” evaluation with this award. This is the only eligible identified priority topic area you may choose if you decide to conduct a new CSE.
    • Recipients who propose to conduct a new CSE in this existing topic area will receive technical assistance from the MIECHV Evaluation Coordinating Center.
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