FEDERAL AGENCY:

BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

AUTHORIZATION:

Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, Public Law 93-638, as amended, 25 U.S.C. 450 et seq.; Snyder Act of 1921, 25 U.S.C. 13.

OBJECTIVES:

To provide funds to Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments to administer welfare assistance programs for both American Indian adults and children; to support caseworkers and counselors; and to support tribal programs to reduce the incidence of substance abuse and alcohol abuse in Indian country.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:

Direct Payments for Specified Use. Place Cursor Here for Definition

USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:

Funds may be used for staff support and related costs of processing welfare applications, determining suitable placement of American Indian children in need of foster care, staffing and operational costs of emergency shelters, and similar services.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:   Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments.

Beneficiary Eligibility:   Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments, adult American Indians in need of financial assistance or social services counseling, American Indian children who require foster care services, and American Indian youth requiring temporary, emergency shelter.

Credentials/Documentation:   Initial application must be accompanied by an authorizing resolution of the governing body of the Indian tribe.

Pre-application Coordination:   An informal conference with Bureau of Indian Affairs agency representatives is recommended. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure:   Initial applications must contain the information specified in 25 CFR Part 900, Subpart C, "Contract Proposal Contents." Completed applications should be submitted to the local Bureau of Indian Affairs agency or regional office listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog.

Award Procedure:   The dollar value of the awards depends upon the amount that has been prioritized by the individual Indian tribe through tribal participation in the Bureau of Indian Affairs Tribal Priority Allocation budget formulation process.

Deadlines:   None.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:   Applications will be processed within 90 days.

Appeals:   An unsuccessful applicant may request an informal conference with the deciding official, or may appeal the denial of the application to the Interior Board of Indian Appeals, or may bring suit in U.S. District Court. Full appeal procedures are found in 25 CFR Part 900.

Renewals:   Awards may be renewed indefinitely upon satisfactory performance by the contractor/grantee. A notice of intent to renew should be submitted at least 90 days prior to the expiration of the current award. The amount of the award may be adjusted as a result of individual tribal priorities established in the budget formulation process.

ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:   Not applicable.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:   Awards are made on an annual basis and the funds remain available until expended by the contractor/grantee. Payments may be made in advance or by way of reimbursement. The timing of the payments will be negotiated with the Indian tribe.

POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:   Financial status reports, SF 269A, are required. Program accomplishment reporting requirements will be negotiated with the Self- Determination contractor/grantee.

Audits:   For awards made under this program grantees/contractors are responsible for obtaining audits in accordance with the Single Audit Act Amendments of 1996 (31 U.S.C. 7501 et seq.).

Records:   Financial records must be retained for 3 years from the date of submission of the single audit report. Procurement records must be retained for 3 years from the date of final payment. Property records must be retained for 3 years from the date of disposition, replacement, or transfer. Records pertaining to any litigation, audit exceptions or claims must be retained until the dispute has been resolved.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

Account Identification:   14-2100-0-1-452.

Obligations:   (Total amount of awards) FY 01 $18,291,000; FY 02 est $19,836,960; and FY 03 est $21,351,660.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:  
$10,000 to $4,800,000; Average: $100,000.

On an annual basis Indian tribes provide a range of social services in order to strengthen American Indian families and American Indian communities.

REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:

25 CFR Part 900; OMB Circular A-87, "Cost Principles for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments;" and 25 CFR Part 20.

INFORMATION CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office:   See Regional Agency Offices. Applications may be filed with the local Bureau of Indian Affairs agency or regional office as listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog.

Headquarters Office:   Chief, Division of Human Services, Bureau of Indian Affairs, 1849 C Street, NW, MS 320 SIB, Washington, District of Columbia 20240 Phone: (202) 513-7642.

Web Site Address:  
http://www.bia.gov

EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:

These funds support staff who process applications for assistance, handle referrals and provide counseling and intensive case management; or who are responsible for collecting, compiling, and reporting monthly statistics regarding child abuse and neglect, child welfare placements, and general assistance caseloads.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:

All applicants meeting the requirements of 25 CFR Part 900 will be selected if the program has been prioritized by the individual Indian tribe through tribal participation in the Bureau of Indian Affairs' Tribal Priority Allocation budget formulation process.