Tribal Self-Governance Study
Description of Program,
Service, Function or Activity (PSFA)
INVENTORY
1. Agency Name: ACYF/ACF/DHHS
2. Program Name: State Court Improvement Program
3. CFDA #: 93.586
4. Program Objectives: To assist State courts in performing their role in the continuum of care provided for families and children at risk. This program offers support for the implementation of alternatives and improvements as well as support for the expansion of successful court systems. It provides State courts with the flexibility to design assessments which identify barriers to effective decision-making, highlight practices which are not fully successful, examine areas they find to be in need of correction or added attention, and then implement reforms which address the State courts specific needs.
5. Titles and Descriptions of at least Three Funded Grantees: NA
AUTHORITY
6. Authorizing Statute(s): Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993, Section 13712, Public Law 103-66.
7. Regulatory/Administrative Requirements: No regulations have been promulgated. Administrative requirements have been announced in Program Instructions ACYF-PI-94-12 and ACYF-CB-PI-99-02.
8. Mandatory Statutory Changes Needed to Operate PSFA as a Demonstration: Changes necessary throughout the legislation relevant to eligibility, funding process and program requirements.
APPLICANTS, BENEFICIARIES and FORMULAS
9. Type of Funding: State Formula Grants
10. Eligible Applicants: The highest State courts in each of the 50 States, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico are eligible to apply for funding. The term “highest State Court” means the judicial tribunal which is the ultimate court of appeals in the State.
11. Allotment Formulas, Etc: Formula and Matching Requirements: Each State court with an approved application is allotted $85,000 for each of fiscal years 1999 - 2001. In addition to this base amount, the remainder of the amount appropriated for all State courts ($10,000,000 for fiscal years 1999-2001) will be divided among those courts with approved applications according to each State's proportionate share of children under the age of 21. If any State courts do not apply for their share of these funds, the unclaimed amount will be reallocated each year to all other State courts with approved applications. Nonfederal share (or match) is required at the rate of 25 percent of the total budget.
12. Applicant Provisions/Allotments in Law for Indians: None.
13. Eligible Beneficiaries: The State courts are eligible.
14. Beneficiary Provisions/Allotments in Law for Indians: None
15. Amount and Percent of Total that is Mandatory for Indians: None
FINANCIAL
16. Total FY 2000 Funding: $10,000,000
17. Amount and Percent of Total Funding Awarded to Indians: None
18. For Awards to Tribes: Number, Range and Average Amounts: NA
19. Total FY 2001 Funding and Amount for Indians, If Known: $10,000,000; None
OTHER
20. -- How long assistance is funded: Grants are awarded annually for a two year period.
-- Fund use restrictions: Grants under the State Court Improvement Program may be used for assessment and improvement activities, broadly defined, of the child welfare function of a court system.
-- Reporting requirements: Both fiscal and program reports are required annually and are due 90 days after the close of the grant year.
-- Audit requirements: In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A- 133, "Audits of State, local governments, and non-profit organizations" State and local governments that expend more than $300,000 within the State's fiscal year shall have an audit made in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-133, or in accordance with Federal laws and regulations governing the programs in which they participate. Other audits are conducted in accordance with the requirement of 45 CFR 74.
CONTACTS
21. DHHS Workgroup Contact: Gerry Neal
202/205-2629
22. HHS Agency/Program Contact: Emily Cooke
202/205-8709