National Center on Child Maltreatment Fatality Data Practices and Reporting

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF), through its Children’s Bureau (CB), has announced the National Center on Child Maltreatment Fatality Data Practices and Reporting funding opportunity under opportunity number HHS-2025-ACF-ACYF-CA-0074. This cooperative agreement is designed to create a national center that improves data collection and reporting on child maltreatment fatalities. By fostering effective cross-agency coordination, states, jurisdictions, tribes, and partners will be better equipped to collect comprehensive data that informs prevention, intervention, and system reform efforts. The National Center will serve as a national resource, supporting agencies addressing child maltreatment fatalities and promoting information-sharing, learning, and dissemination. The purpose of this program is to strengthen knowledge and capacity in data practices, expand cross-agency cooperation, and establish a centralized resource for states, jurisdictions, and tribal partners. The center will provide universal, specialized, and tailored training and technical assistance (T/TA) focused on enhancing child maltreatment fatality data reliability, analysis, and application in policy and practice reform. Additionally, it will evaluate its training and assistance to ensure effectiveness, dedicating at least 15% of grant funds to evaluation and continuous quality improvement. The project period is five years, beginning with a one-year planning phase, followed by four years of technical assistance delivery. Eligible applicants include states, Indian tribes and tribal organizations, public or private agencies, and combinations of these entities. Faith-based and community organizations meeting eligibility requirements are also eligible. Individuals and foreign entities are ineligible. The program does not require cost sharing, although applicants may include voluntary cost sharing without it affecting the review process. Disqualification criteria include requesting funding above the award ceiling, late submissions, or ineligible applicant type. The cooperative agreement anticipates substantial involvement from ACF, including reviewing and approving planning stages, coordinating program activities, monitoring compliance, and supporting evaluation efforts. Prohibited costs under this NOFO include construction, purchase of real property, and major renovations. Indirect costs may be charged either under an approved rate or via the 15% de minimis rate on modified total direct costs. Subawards are permitted only when the primary recipient maintains a substantive role in the project. Applications are due by May 19, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. ET, with an optional notice of intent due February 17, 2025. The expected project start date is September 30, 2025. Applications must be submitted electronically via Grants.gov unless an exemption for paper submission is granted. Required components include a table of contents, project summary, project narrative, line-item budget with narrative, organizational capacity details, relevant attachments such as proof of eligibility, third-party agreements, and letters of support. Standard forms such as SF-424, SF-424A, SF-424B, lobbying disclosures, and performance site locations are also required. Applications will be reviewed based on objectives (15 points), approach (40 points), evaluation plan (20 points), organizational capacity (20 points), and budget (5 points). Reviewers will assess clarity, feasibility, alignment with program objectives, and the ability to achieve intended outcomes. Award notices will be issued to successful applicants via a Notice of Award. Post-award, recipients must comply with applicable administrative and national policy requirements, submit semi-annual performance and financial reports, and adhere to nondiscrimination laws. Program contacts include Cara Kelly for program-related inquiries and Telina Bennett-Reed for grants management, both reachable at cb@grantreview.org or (888) 203-6161.