National Center on Child Maltreatment Fatality Data Practices and Reporting

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF), through its Children’s Bureau (CB), is offering a funding opportunity to establish the National Center on Child Maltreatment Fatality Data Practices and Reporting. This center will function as a national resource aimed at enhancing the collection, reporting, and use of data concerning child maltreatment fatalities. The primary goal is to strengthen cross-agency coordination and improve the ability of states, tribes, and jurisdictions to prevent child fatalities resulting from abuse or neglect through improved data and system reform initiatives. The project is authorized under statutory authority 42 U.S.C. 5106(b)(5) and will be funded via a cooperative agreement. The cooperative agreement model anticipates substantial involvement from the federal agency throughout the grant period. This includes collaborative planning, implementation, technical assistance, and evaluation. The funding is structured over a five-year project period, with an initial budget ceiling of $1,250,000 for the first year and expected subsequent annual funding of $3,000,000. Eligible applicants include states, Indian tribes and tribal organizations, public or private agencies, and combinations of these entities. Faith-based and community organizations may also apply if they meet the basic eligibility criteria. Individuals, sole proprietorships, and foreign entities are explicitly excluded from eligibility. Applicants must ensure their submissions meet the award ceiling, are timely, and conform to formatting requirements. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov unless an exemption for paper submission is obtained in advance. Applications must include two separate files—a project narrative and a set of attachments—and must not exceed 90 pages in total. The application must include a one-page summary, a detailed project narrative, a line-item budget and budget narrative, logic model, evaluation plan, sustainability plan, and required standard federal forms. A minimum of 15% of funds must be dedicated to evaluation and continuous quality improvement activities. Proposals must also include documentation such as indirect cost rate agreements, proof of nonprofit status, third-party agreements, and letters of support. Key evaluation criteria include objectives (15 points), approach (40 points), evaluation (20 points), organizational capacity (20 points), and budget (5 points), totaling 100 points. The application process includes an optional Notice of Intent to Apply by February 17, 2025, and the final submission deadline is July 2ns, 2025, by 11:59 p.m. ET. The anticipated project start date is September 30, 2025. Applicants are encouraged to submit early and to ensure compliance with all technical and submission guidelines. For further information, applicants may contact Cara Kelly or Telina Bennett-Reed via email at cb@grantreview.org or by phone at (888) 203-6161. Technical assistance is available through Grants.gov and SAM.gov help desks.