Grant Guidance | Information Memoranda  | Dear Colleague Letters

Grant Guidance

ACF Discretionary Post-Award Requirements
This page provides information regarding the post-award requirements for discretionary grants awarded through the Administration for Children and Families (ACF). Subpages address topics including terms and conditions, reporting, requesting payment of Federal awards, single audit requirements, and grants management contacts.

HHS Grants Policy Statement
The HHS Grants Policy Statement (GPS) is the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) single policy guide for discretionary grants and cooperative agreements. Unlike previous HHS policy documents, the GPS is intended to be shared with and used by grantees. It became effective October 1, 2006 and is applicable to all Operating Divisions (OPDIVS), such as ACF, except the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The GPS covers basic grants processes, standard terms and conditions and points of contact as well as important OPDIV-specific requirements. Appendices include a glossary of terms and a list of standard abbreviations for ease of reference.

HHS/ACF Uniform Guidance 45 CFR § 75Visit disclaimer page
The Uniform Guidance: Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (“Uniform Guidance”) has been issued by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). HHS/ACF has implemented the Uniform Guidance at 45 CFR § 75.

HHS Poverty Guidelines
The CED Program's objective is to create sustainable business development and employment opportunities for individuals with low income, defined as individuals whose household income level does not exceed 125 percent of the poverty guidelines, as outlined in the most recent revision of the HHS Poverty Guidelines. See the CED HHS Poverty Guidelines table for calculations of 125 percent based on the most current guidelines.

Reading and Understanding the Notice of Award (NoA) for CED Grantees
The Notice of Award (NoA) is the official legal document issued to the grantee that indicates a federal grant award has been made and funds may be requested to be used, and reported on, in the approved manner. It is sometimes called a Notice of Grant Award (NGA). This reference document provides detailed information about each field of the NoA.

Information Memoranda

Programmatic Reporting Requirements | CED IM 2018-01 | August 14, 2018 
This guidance is intended to clearly outline programmatic reporting requirements and process for grant recipients under the Community Economic Development (CED) program. Grant recipients under the CED program are required to submit CED program-specific Performance Progress Reports (PPRs) on a semi-annual basis for the duration of their project period. Grant recipients are also required to submit other non-programmatic reports, including SF-425 Federal Financial Reports (FFRs).

Federal Recognition of Same Sex Spouses and Marriages | CED IM 2014-01 | May 22, 2014
This guidance is intended to implement a post-Windsor policy of treating same-sex marriages on the same terms as opposite-sex marriages to the greatest extent reasonably possible.  Accordingly, when applying the HHS poverty guidelines to define individuals with low income to be employed in CED-funded projects, the income of same-sex spouses shall be considered part of the “household” income if marital status is a factor when determining “household” composition and the same-sex spouses entered into a marriage valid in the state where they were married.

Dear Colleague Letters

ACF grant flexibilities in conducting human service activities related to or affected by COVID-19 | CED DCL 2020-04 | March 30, 2020
This Dear Colleague letter discusses information from IM-ACF-OA-2020-01 regarding ACF grant flexibilities in conducting human service activities related to or affected by COVID-19.

2020 CED Grantee Conference POSTPONED | CED DCL 2020-03 | March 13, 2020
This Dear Colleague Letter notifies Community Economic Development grantees that the CED grantee conference has been postponed.

Partnership to Address the Spread of COVID-19 | CED DCL 2020-02 | March 12, 2020
This Dear Colleague Letter notifies Community Economic Development grantees about key issues regarding COVID-19.

Vacancy Announcement for Division of Community Assistance Director, Office of Community Services --- Applicant Limit of 100 | CED DCL 2020-01 | November 13, 2019
This Dear Colleague Letter notifies Community Economic Development contacts and other interested parties about the vacancy announcement for Division of Community Assistance Director, Office of Community Services.

Request for Feedback: CED Customer Satisfaction Survey | CED DCL 2019-02 | February 11, 2019
This Dear Colleague Letter notifies grantees about the American Customer Survey Index (ACSI). The ACSI is a customer satisfaction survey that will collect grantee feedback on ways to improve the CED program. The Dear Colleague Letter provides more information about the survey and how grantees will be contacted to complete it. One contact from each grantee organization will receive the survey. Grantee participation is critical for CED improvement. Responses will remain anonymous, and OCS will receive an aggregate of the responses. 

Office of Community Services New Standard Template | CED DCL 2019-01 | January 16, 2019
In order to communicate more clearly and effectively with grantees and other stakeholders, the Office of Community Services (OCS) is rolling out a fresh look for its communication documents and a defined use for AT, DCL, and IM. Beginning January 7, 2019, OCS will use our new OCS letterhead and a standard template for all AT, DCL, and IM across OCS programs, including Community Economic Development, Community Services Block Grant, Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, Rural Community Development (RCD), Social Services Block Grant, and the Assets for Independence (AFI) programs.

Office of Community Services Restructuring | September 27, 2016
The purpose of this notice is to provide information to CED and Community Economic Development – Healthy Food Financing Initiative (CED-HFFI) grantees about a restructuring within the Office of Community Services, effective October 1, 2016. Under this restructuring, the new Division of Community Discretionary and Demonstration Programs (DCDDP) will be responsible for the AFI, CED, and RCD programs.

Information and Resources Related to Financial Capability | April 28, 2015
The purpose of this notice is to provide information about financial capability resources to CED and CED-HFFI program grantees and to encourage you to consider the potential role of financial capability services in the work that you do. Financial capability is the capacity, based on knowledge, skills, and access, to manage financial resources effectively. Building this capacity is a critical aspect to supporting the vision of the Administration for Children and Families (ACF): children, youth, families, individuals, and communities who are resilient, safe, healthy, and economically secure.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month | November 14, 2014 
The purpose of this Dear Colleague Letter is to provide CED and HFFI grantees and partners with information about domestic violence awareness resources because CED/HFFI grantees and partners have an important role in helping families struggling with domestic violence.