Opportunity Information: Apply for HHS 2021 ACF ORR ZU 1785
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) and its Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), Division of Unaccompanied Children Operations (DUCO), is seeking partners to operate therapeutic residential care programs for Unaccompanied Alien Children (UAC) who are placed in ORR custody. The purpose of this standing funding opportunity announcement is to expand and sustain a network of state-licensed residential providers that can deliver temporary shelter and clinically appropriate care to children with elevated behavioral and mental health needs, including those who require psychiatric treatment services or highly structured therapeutic group home or shelter settings focused on conduct and behavioral issues. Services begin when ORR accepts a child for placement and continue until the child is released from ORR custody, with the expectation that care is delivered in the least restrictive setting that still meets the child’s age, safety, and clinical needs.
This opportunity is offered as a discretionary cooperative agreement, meaning ORR expects to have substantial involvement in program oversight and coordination rather than simply issuing a grant with minimal federal engagement. The funding activity category is Income Security and Social Services under CFDA 93.676. The announcement is designed for therapeutic residential providers that can operate structured clinical programming and demonstrate the capacity to serve UAC with a range of mental health presentations. If an applicant proposes to provide psychiatric treatment services, the facility must not only be licensed as a therapeutic treatment facility in its state, but also be accredited by The Joint Commission or an equivalent accrediting body, reflecting ORR’s emphasis on clinical quality and recognized standards of care for higher-acuity services.
A central requirement is compliance with the Flores Settlement Agreement as well as all applicable federal regulations, laws, and ORR policies, instructions, and procedures. In practice, this means applicants need to build their program model around ORR’s custody standards and child welfare expectations, including safeguarding children’s rights and ensuring appropriate placement, supervision, and access to services. ORR specifically encourages applicants to review its published policies on children entering the United States unaccompanied, since those policies are treated as foundational for program design, day-to-day operations, documentation, and performance expectations.
Eligibility is broad and includes many types of public and private entities: state, county, city, township, and special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; 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; for-profit organizations (including small businesses); and, generally, unrestricted eligibility across these entity types subject to any clarifications in the full announcement. The practical takeaway is that ORR is less focused on the applicant’s organizational label and more focused on whether the applicant can meet licensing, accreditation (when applicable), clinical capability, and compliance obligations required to safely serve this population.
Key administrative details from the announcement include the funding opportunity number HHS-2021-ACF-ORR-ZU-1785, an initial posting/creation date of June 10, 2020, and an original application due date of August 10, 2020, with electronic submissions due by 11:59 p.m. ET on the listed due date. ORR anticipated making around 10 awards, with an award ceiling of up to $6,000,000 per award (noting that actual award amounts typically depend on the proposed capacity, scope of services, and available appropriations). Overall, the grant is aimed at ensuring ORR has enough clinically capable, properly licensed and accredited therapeutic residential beds and services to meet demand, while maintaining strict adherence to federal child welfare requirements and ORR operational standards.Apply for HHS 2021 ACF ORR ZU 1785
- The Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families - ORR in the income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Standing Announcement for Residential (Therapeutic) Services for Unaccompanied Alien 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 Jun 10, 2020.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 10, 2020 Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 1159 p.m., ET, on the listed application due date.. (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 $6,000,000.00 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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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1) What is this funding opportunity for?
This standing funding opportunity announcement is for organizations to operate therapeutic residential care programs for Unaccompanied Alien Children (UAC) placed in the custody of the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). The goal is to expand and sustain a network of state-licensed residential providers that can deliver temporary shelter and clinically appropriate care to children with elevated behavioral and mental health needs.
2) Which agencies are sponsoring and managing this opportunity?
The opportunity is offered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) through the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), Division of Unaccompanied Children Operations (DUCO).
3) What type of award is this?
It is a discretionary cooperative agreement. ORR expects substantial involvement in program oversight and coordination, rather than issuing a grant with minimal federal engagement.
4) What population must the program serve?
The program serves Unaccompanied Alien Children (UAC) who are placed in ORR custody and have elevated behavioral and mental health needs, including children who may require psychiatric treatment services or a highly structured therapeutic group home or shelter setting focused on conduct and behavioral issues.
5) What kinds of services are expected under this opportunity?
Providers are expected to deliver temporary shelter and clinically appropriate care through structured clinical programming. The program should be capable of serving a range of mental health presentations and supporting children with higher-acuity behavioral and mental health needs.
6) When do services start and end for each child?
Services begin when ORR accepts a child for placement and continue until the child is released from ORR custody.
7) What does "least restrictive setting" mean in this context?
Care is expected to be delivered in the least restrictive setting that still meets the child's age, safety, and clinical needs. In practice, this means the setting should not be more restrictive than necessary to safely and appropriately address the child's needs.
8) What is the funding activity category and CFDA number?
The funding activity category is Income Security and Social Services, and the CFDA number is 93.676.
9) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes many types of public and private entities, including:
- State, county, city, township, and special district governments
- Independent school districts
- Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education
- 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
- For-profit organizations (including small businesses)
The practical emphasis is on whether the applicant can meet licensing, accreditation (when applicable), clinical capability, and compliance obligations required to safely serve UAC in ORR custody.
10) Are state licensing requirements part of eligibility?
Yes. The announcement is designed for therapeutic residential providers that can operate state-licensed residential programs and deliver structured clinical programming appropriate for children with elevated behavioral and mental health needs.
11) What additional requirements apply if an applicant proposes psychiatric treatment services?
If psychiatric treatment services are proposed, the facility must be licensed in its state as a therapeutic treatment facility and must be accredited by The Joint Commission or an equivalent accrediting body. This reflects ORR's emphasis on clinical quality and recognized standards of care for higher-acuity services.
12) What accreditation is required for psychiatric treatment services?
The facility must be accredited by The Joint Commission or an equivalent accrediting body if psychiatric treatment services are included in the proposed program.
13) What major compliance requirements must funded programs follow?
A central requirement is compliance with the Flores Settlement Agreement, as well as all applicable federal regulations, laws, and ORR policies, instructions, and procedures. Applicants are expected to build program operations around ORR custody standards and child welfare expectations, including safeguarding children's rights and ensuring appropriate placement, supervision, and access to services.
14) Does ORR provide policies that applicants are expected to use when designing their program?
Yes. ORR encourages applicants to review ORR's published policies on children entering the United States unaccompanied, and those policies are treated as foundational for program design, day-to-day operations, documentation, and performance expectations.
15) What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is HHS-2021-ACF-ORR-ZU-1785.
16) When was the opportunity posted?
The initial posting/creation date listed is June 10, 2020.
17) What was the original application due date and time?
The original application due date was August 10, 2020. Electronic submissions were due by 11:59 p.m. ET on the listed due date.
18) How many awards were anticipated?
ORR anticipated making around 10 awards.
19) What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is up to $6,000,000 per award. Actual award amounts typically depend on proposed capacity, scope of services, and available appropriations.
20) What does ORR consider when determining the final award amount?
The announcement notes that actual award amounts typically depend on the proposed capacity, scope of services, and available appropriations.
21) What is the overall purpose or outcome ORR is trying to achieve with this funding?
The grant is aimed at ensuring ORR has enough clinically capable, properly licensed and (when applicable) accredited therapeutic residential beds and services to meet demand, while maintaining strict adherence to federal child welfare requirements and ORR operational standards.
22) What does ORR's "substantial involvement" mean for the day-to-day program?
Because this is a cooperative agreement, ORR expects to be actively involved in program oversight and coordination. This generally implies closer federal engagement than a standard grant arrangement, consistent with the compliance and operational expectations described in the announcement.
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Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (HHS 2021 ACF ORR ZU 1785) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Standing Announcement for Residential (Staff Secure) Services for Unaccompanied Alien Children Apply for HHS 2021 ACF ORR ZU 1786 Funding Number: HHS 2021 ACF ORR ZU 1786 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families - ORR Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $12,000,000 |
| Standing Announcement for Residential (Secure) Services for Unaccompanied Alien Children Apply for HHS 2021 ACF ORR ZU 1784 Funding Number: HHS 2021 ACF ORR ZU 1784 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families - ORR Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $8,000,000 |
| Head Start and/or Early Head Start Grantee -- The Cities of Meriden, Wallingford, Southington and Berlin, Connecticut Apply for HHS 2020 ACF OHS CH R01 1857 Funding Number: HHS 2020 ACF OHS CH R01 1857 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families - OHS Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $1,320,368 |
| Head Start and/or Early Head Start Grantee -- Hood River, Wasco, and Jefferson Counties, Oregon and Skamania and Klickitat Counties, Washington Apply for HHS 2020 ACF OHS CH R10 1856 Funding Number: HHS 2020 ACF OHS CH R10 1856 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families - OHS Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $5,538,160 |
| Standing Announcement for Residential (Long Term Foster Care) Services for Unaccompanied Alien Children Apply for HHS 2021 ACF ORR ZU 1787 Funding Number: HHS 2021 ACF ORR ZU 1787 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families - ORR Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $10,000,000 |
| Lifespan Respite Care Program: Special Projects to Strengthen Program Development, Implementation and Sustainability Apply for HHS 2020 ACL AOA LRSP 0432 Funding Number: HHS 2020 ACL AOA LRSP 0432 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| American Indian and Alaska Native Early Head Start Expansion and Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership Grants Apply for HHS 2020 ACF OHS HI 1853 Funding Number: HHS 2020 ACF OHS HI 1853 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families - OHS Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $3,567,886 |
| Migrant and Seasonal Early Head Start Expansion and Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership Grants Apply for HHS 2020 ACF OHS HM R12 1854 Funding Number: HHS 2020 ACF OHS HM R12 1854 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families - OHS Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $4,500,000 |
| Early Head Start Expansion and Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership Grants Apply for HHS 2020 ACF OHS HP 1852 Funding Number: HHS 2020 ACF OHS HP 1852 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families - OHS Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $21,096,468 |
| Migrant and Seasonal Head Start (MSHS) Expansion Apply for HHS 2020 ACF OHS CM R12 1847 Funding Number: HHS 2020 ACF OHS CM R12 1847 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families - OHS Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $13,442,656 |
| Head Start and/or Early Head Start Expansion - Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, and South Carolina Apply for HHS 2020 ACF OHS CH 1818 Funding Number: HHS 2020 ACF OHS CH 1818 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families - OHS Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $4,027,077 |
| American Indian/Alaska Native (AIAN) Head Start and/or Early Head Start Expansion Apply for HHS 2020 ACF OHS CI R11 1845 Funding Number: HHS 2020 ACF OHS CI R11 1845 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families - OHS Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $14,450,824 |
| Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five (PDG B-5) Renewal Grant Apply for HHS 2020 ACF OCC TP 1855 Funding Number: HHS 2020 ACF OCC TP 1855 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families - OCC Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $10,000,000 |
| Disaster Assistance for State Units on Aging (SUAs) and Tribal Organizations in Major Disasters Declared by the President Apply for HHS 2021 ACL AOA DASG 0002 Funding Number: HHS 2021 ACL AOA DASG 0002 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $600,000 |
| Head Start/Early Head Start Grantee -- United States Virgin Islands Apply for HHS 2021 ACF OHS CH R02 1937 Funding Number: HHS 2021 ACF OHS CH R02 1937 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families - OHS Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $9,016,306 |
| Head Start/Early Head Start Grantee -- Communities in Puerto Rico Apply for HHS 2021 ACF OHS CH R02 1946 Funding Number: HHS 2021 ACF OHS CH R02 1946 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families - OHS Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $53,444,807 |
| Head Start/Early Head Start Grantee -- Communities in the state of Alabama Apply for HHS 2021 ACF OHS CH R04 1859 Funding Number: HHS 2021 ACF OHS CH R04 1859 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families - OHS Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $5,135,843 |
| Head Start/Early Head Start Grantee -- Communities in the state of New Jersey Apply for HHS 2021 ACF OHS CH R02 1879 Funding Number: HHS 2021 ACF OHS CH R02 1879 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families - OHS Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $11,213,897 |
| Head Start/Early Head Start Grantee -- Communities in the state of New York Apply for HHS 2021 ACF OHS CH R02 1881 Funding Number: HHS 2021 ACF OHS CH R02 1881 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families - OHS Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $71,474,873 |
| Head Start/Early Head Start Grantee -- Communities in the state of Maryland Apply for HHS 2021 ACF OHS CH R03 1872 Funding Number: HHS 2021 ACF OHS CH R03 1872 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families - OHS Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $10,264,620 |
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