Refugee and Entrant Assistance_Wilson/Fish Program
Published on AidPage by
IDILOGIC on Jun 24, 2005
Purpose of this program:
To develop alternative projects which promote early employment of refugees, including certain Amerasian immigrants, Cuban and Haitian entrants, asylees, and certified victims of a severe form of trafficking. States, voluntary resettlement agencies, and other resettlement organizations may develop innovative approaches for the provision of refugee cash and medical assistance, social services, and case management otherwise available through the State-administered program. The purpose of these alternative projects is to provide integrated services and cash assistance in order to increase refugees' prospects for early employment and self-sufficiency, reduce their level of welfare dependence, and promote coordination among voluntary resettlement agencies and services providers. Projects must serve all eligible refugees in a community. There are two categories for applications. Category one provides an opportunity for an applicant to continue the provision of refugee program services and assistance in a State when the State elects to discontinue participation or is not currently participating in the program of refugee resettlement. Category two provides applicants an opportunity to implement alternative projects to promote self-sufficiency and coordinate services more effectively.
Possible uses and use restrictions...
The Wilson/Fish demonstration program diverts a portion of funds earmarked for the State-administered program for refugee cash and medical assistance and social service to conduct alternative projects which promote refugee early employment and self-sufficiency. Funds may be used only for the purposes set forth in the grant award. Assistance is limited to refugees, asylees, including Cuban and Haitian entrants, Amerasian immigrants and trafficking victims, as defined in the authorizing Acts. The refugee must document his immigration status in order to be eligible for assistance. Federal policy governs other eligibility factors. The scope of services available to refugees from Wilson/Fish grantees is similar to that of State-administered Refugee Resettlement Programs, which in turn is similar to regular domestic public assistance programs.
Who is eligible to apply...
States, voluntary resettlement agencies, and other nonprofit refugee resettlement organizations may apply to initiate an alternative program. No separate funding is appropriated for Wilson/Fish demonstration projects. Funds are drawn instead from funds earmarked for refugee cash and medical assistance grants and social services allocations for the State-administered program (93.566) according to ORR projections.
Credentials/Documentation
Persons for whom assistance is authorized are limited to the following groups of aliens with appropriated documentation from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS), formerly Immigration and Naturalizations Services (INS): (1) Refugees admitted under section 207 of the INA and asylees admitted under section 208; (2) Cuban and Haitian entrants with documentation from the BCIS as to status allowed under section 501 of the Refugee Education Assistance Act of 1980; and certain Amerasian immigrants from Viet Nam admitted under section 584 of the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act (1988) or title II of the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Acts of 1989, 1990, and 1991. Cost principles for nonprofit organizations will be determined by OMB Circular No. A-122. Victims of a severe form of trafficking who have received a certification or eligibility letter from ORR are also eligible. Cost principles for State and local governments are found under OMB Circular No. A-87.
Note:This is a brief description of the credentials or documentation required prior to, or along with, an application for assistance.
About this section:
This section indicates who can apply to the Federal government for assistance and the criteria the potential applicant must satisfy.
For example, individuals may be eligible for research grants, and the criteria to be satisfied may be that they have a professional or scientific degree,
3 years of research experience, and be a citizen of the United States. Universities, medical schools, hospitals, or State and local governments may also be eligible.
Where State governments are eligible, the type of State agency will be indicated (State welfare agency or State agency on aging) and the criteria that they
must satisfy.
Certain federal programs (e.g., the Pell Grant program which provides grants to students) involve intermediate levels of application processing, i.e., applications
are transmitted through colleges or universities that are neither the direct applicant nor the ultimate beneficiary. For these programs,
the criteria that the intermediaries must satisfy are also indicated, along with intermediaries who are not eligible.
How to apply...
Application Procedure:
Awards are granted on a competitive basis, as specified in the program announcements. Each agency desiring to respond to a program announcement is required to submit an application to the Director of the Office of Refugee Resettlement. Applications are reviewed and evaluated pursuant to criteria specified in the program announcement.
Note: Each program will indicate whether applications are to be submitted to the Federal headquarters, regional or local office, or to a State or local government office.
Award Procedure:
The Director of ORR makes the funding decision of all grant awards. The Office of Financial Management concurs on grants administration and policy compliance.
Note: Grant payments may be made by a letter of credit, advance by Treasury check, or reimbursement by Treasury check.
Awards may be made by the headquarters office directly to the applicant, an agency field office, a regional office,
or by an authorized county office. The assistance may pass through the initial applicant for further distribution by
intermediate level applicants to groups or individuals in the private sector.
Deadlines and process...
Deadlines
Closing dates for new projects is January 31 of each year. Closing date for existing projects is April 30 of each year.
Note:
When available, this section indicates the deadlines for applications to the funding agency which will
be stated in terms of the date(s) or between what dates the application should be received.
When not available, applicants should contact the funding agency for deadline information.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
From 60 to 90 days.
Preapplication Coordination
The Office of Refugee Resettlement is available to answer questions concerning the standing program announcement. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.
Note:
This section indicates whether any prior coordination or approval is required with governmental or nongovernmental units
prior to the submission of a formal application to the federal funding agency.
Appeals
Not applicable.
Note:
In some cases, there are no provisions for appeal. Where applicable, this section discusses appeal procedures or allowable rework time for resubmission
of applications to be processed by the funding agency. Appeal procedures vary with individual programs and are either listed in this section or
applicants are referred to appeal procedures documented in the relevant Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).
Renewals
Renewals or extensions require additional approvals.
Note:
In some instances, renewal procedures may be the same as for the application procedure, e.g., for projects of a non-continuing nature renewals will be treated as new, competing applications; for projects of an ongoing nature, renewals may be given annually.
Who can benefit...
Refugees, certain Amerasian immigrants, Cuban/Haitian entrants, asylees, and victims of a severe of trafficking are eligible for services and assistance through funded projects in a community. Cash assistance is transitional for up to 8 months; services may be provided for a longer period of time.
Beneficiaries
About this section:
This section lists the ultimate beneficiaries of a program, the criteria they must satisfy and who specifically is not eligible. The applicant and beneficiary will generally be the same for programs that provide assistance directly from a Federal agency. However, financial assistance that passes through State or local governments will have different applicants and beneficiaries since the assistance is transmitted to private sector beneficiaries who are not obligated to request or apply for the assistance.
What types of assistance...
Project Grants
The funding, for fixed or known periods, of specific projects. Project grants can include fellowships, scholarships, research grants, training grants, traineeships, experimental and demonstration grants, evaluation grants, planning grants, technical assistance grants, survey grants, and construction grants.
How much financial aid...
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
In fiscal year 2003, the grants ranged from $466,460 to $5,974,205. The average of grant amounts awarded is just under $2 million. The range is similar in FY 04 and FY05.
Note:
This section lists the representative range (smallest to largest) of the amount of financial assistance available. These figures are based upon funds awarded in the past fiscal year and the current fiscal year to date. Also indicated is an approximate average amount of awards which were made in the past and current fiscal years.
Obligations
(Grants) FY 03 $12,706,896; FY 04 est $18,000,000; and FY 05 est $18,000,000.
Note:
The dollar amounts listed in this section represent obligations for the past fiscal year (PY), estimates for the current fiscal year (CY), and estimates for the budget fiscal year (BY) as reported by the Federal agencies. Obligations for non-financial assistance programs indicate the administrative expenses involved in the operation of a program.
Account Identification
75-1503-0-1-609.
Note:
Note: This 11-digit budget account identification code represents the account which funds a particular program.
This code should be consistent with the code given for the program area as specified in Appendix III of the Budget of the United States Government.
Examples of funded projects...
1) A large state-administered project where the all the voluntary agencies determine eligibility and are responsible for case management of eligible refugees; 2) a private voluntary agency that administers the cash and medical assistance, social services program for refugees not otherwise eligible for TANF and/or Medicaid in a State in which the State elected to not participate in the refugee program; and 3) a small voluntary agency project that administers provision of cash assistance for all refugees for up to 8 months in a State that has elected to continue to operate the social services and medical assistance program.
About this section
This section indicates the different types of projects which have been funded in the past. Only projects funded under Project Grants or Direct Payments for Specified Use should be listed here. The examples give potential applicants an idea of the types of projects that may be accepted for funding. The agency should list at least five examples of the most recently funded projects.
Program accomplishments...
In fiscal year 2003, 2 new projects and 9 projects were continued. Projects successfully provided incentives to refugees to obtain early employment and assisted refugees to become self-sufficient. It is anticipated that these projects are to be continued in fiscal year 2004 contingent upon program performance and availability of funding. ORR received 2 new applications for the March 31, 2004 application due date. A panel review will be established for these applications. It is anticipated that the FY 04 projects as well as any new approved project (s) will be continued in FY 05 contingent upon program performance and availability of funding.
Criteria for selecting proposals...
Notice of the criteria for awarding funds is published in the Federal Register or other program announcement for each type of demonstration. See the Information Contact section for more information.
Assistance considerations...
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Generally, funds made available for this program will be for 1-year budget periods, but may be for project periods for no longer than 4 years.
Formula and Matching Requirements
This program has no statutory formula or matching requirements.
Note:
A formula may be based on population, per capita income, and other statistical factors. Applicants are informed whether there are any matching requirements to be met when participating in the cost of a project. In general, the matching share represents that portion of the project costs not borne by the Federal government. Attachment F of OMB Circular No. A-102 (Office of Management and Budget) sets forth the criteria and procedures for the evaluation of matching share requirements which may be cash or in-kind contributions made by State and local governments or other agencies, institutions, private organizations, or individuals to satisfy matching requirements of Federal grants or loans.
Cash contributions represent the grantees' cash outlay, including the outlay of money contributed to the grantee by other public agencies, institutions, private organizations, or individuals. When authorized by Federal regulation, Federal funds received from other grants may be considered as the grantees' cash contribution.
In-kind contributions represent the value of noncash contributions provided by the grantee, other public agencies and institutions, private organizations or individuals. In-kind contributions may consist of charges for real property and equipment, and value of goods and services directly benefiting and specifically identifiable to the grant program. When authorized by Federal legislation, property purchased with Federal funds may be considered as grantees' in-kind contribution.
Maintenance of effort (MOE) is a requirement contained in certain legislation, regulations, or administrative policies stating that a grantee must maintain a specified level of financial effort in a specific area in order to receive Federal grant funds, and that the Federal grant funds may be used only to supplement, not supplant, the level of grantee funds.
Post assistance requirements...
Reports
Progress reports and financial reports are required, usually on a quarterly basis. Final program and financial reports summarizing the activities and accomplishments of the project in relation to the approved goals and objectives are also required.
Note:
This section indicates whether program reports, expenditure reports, cash reports or performance monitoring are required by the Federal funding agency, and specifies at what time intervals (monthly, annually, etc.) this must be accomplished.
Audits
Periodic audits are made a part of the system of financial management and internal control to meet terms and conditions of grants and other agreements. "In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 24, 1997), Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations, nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $300,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $300,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133."
Note:
This section discusses audits required by the Federal agency.
The procedures and requirements for State and local governments and nonprofit entities are set forth in OMB Circular No. A-133.
These requirements pertain to awards made within the respective State's fiscal year - not the Federal fiscal year,
as some State and local governments may use the calendar year or other variation of time span designated as the fiscal year period,
rather than that commonly known as the Federal fiscal year (from October 1st through September 30th).
Records
Grant recipients are required to keep all financial, business and program reports necessary for program review and audit to insure that funds have been expended in accordance with the regulations, grant terms, and conditions of the program.
Note:
This section indicates the record retention requirements and the type of records the Federal agency may require.
Not included are the normally imposed requirements of the General Accounting Office.
For programs falling under the purview of OMB Circular No. A-102, record retention is set forth in Attachment C.
For other programs, record retention is governed by the funding agency's requirements.
Regulations...
Authorization
Refugee Act of 1980, Section 412, 94 Stat. 111, 8 U.S.C. 1522, as amended, Public Laws 96-212, 97-363, and 99-605; Refugee Education Assistance Act of 1980, Title V, 94 Stat. 1809, 8 U.S.C. 1522 note, as amended, Public Laws 96-422, 96-424, 97-35, 100-202, 100-436, 100-461, 101-167, 101-302, 101-513, and 101-517.
Note:
This section lists the legal authority upon which a program is based (acts, amendments to acts, Public Law numbers, titles, sections, Statute Codes, citations to the U.S. Code, Executive Orders, Presidential Reorganization Plans, and Memoranda from an agency head).
Regulations, Guidelines, And Literature
Program announcements are published in the Federal Register. All inquiries should be directed to the Information Contacts listed below.