Residential (Long Term Foster Care) Services for Unaccompanied Children

The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), part of the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), has issued a forecasted grant opportunity for fiscal year 2026 titled "Residential (Long Term Foster Care) Services for Unaccompanied Children." This opportunity is part of the Unaccompanied Children Program, identified by Assistance Listing Number 93.676. It is designed to support the care and placement of unaccompanied alien children (UAC) who are taken into ORR custody. These children may range in age from infancy to 17 years old and can include sibling groups, pregnant or parenting teens, and minors with special vulnerabilities or needs. ORR seeks to provide these children with high-quality residential care through state-licensed providers offering long-term foster care services. The purpose of this program is to ensure that unaccompanied minors receive appropriate shelter, safety, and services in compliance with relevant federal policies, including the Flores Settlement Agreement and Executive Orders that guide humane and effective care standards. Residential care services are intended to be delivered in the least restrictive setting possible, tailored to the individual needs of each child. Services begin upon the minor’s placement in ORR custody and continue until they are either released, reach the age of 18, or receive a final immigration disposition. The forecasted funding amount for this opportunity is $125,000,000, with individual awards ranging from $500,000 to a ceiling of $12,000,000. ORR anticipates making approximately 75 awards through cooperative agreements. Funding under this announcement will support entities that are fully licensed by state authorities to provide residential, group home, or foster care services for dependent children. Providers must submit current and valid licensure documentation for all proposed locations as part of their application. Failure to include this documentation will result in disqualification. Eligible applicants include a broad range of public, nonprofit, and for-profit entities. Specifically, eligibility is open to state, county, city, and township governments, Native American tribal governments and organizations, independent school districts, public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status), public housing authorities, small businesses, and other for-profit organizations. However, individuals and foreign entities are ineligible. Faith-based and community organizations are eligible provided they meet all listed criteria. Applications for this funding opportunity must be submitted electronically by September 18, 2025, no later than 11:59 PM EST. The estimated posting date is July 1, 2025, with an estimated award date of May 1, 2026. The program start date is also projected for May 1, 2026. This opportunity is forecasted and not yet accepting applications, but its status indicates preparation for a future round. It is also expected to recur in future fiscal years, based on the program’s structure and previous iterations. Applicants are advised to consult ORR's Policy Guide and Manual of Procedures as part of their preparation, along with reviewing governing federal laws and regulations listed in Section VI.2 of the Standing Notice of Funding Opportunity (SNOFO). The designated contact for this opportunity is Joseph Clark, reachable by phone at (202) 731-1516 or by email at UCBGrants@acf.hhs.gov. More information can be found through the ORR Provider Network website.