Center for Research on Coordinated Service Approaches to Support Whole Families

The "Center for Research on Coordinated Service Approaches to Support Whole Families" is a grant opportunity from the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) designed to strengthen research on the coordinated delivery of human services to improve the social and economic well-being of families. The Center will focus on the needs of families with low incomes and those from underserved communities, assessing their experiences and developing culturally appropriate research methodologies. Its goal is to enhance the intentional coordination of services such as child care, early education, employment, and training to promote economic mobility and children's healthy development. Eligible applicants include state and local governments, tribal organizations, nonprofits, public and private higher education institutions, and for-profit entities other than individuals. Faith-based and community organizations meeting eligibility criteria may also apply. Partnerships with state, territory, or tribal agencies that administer Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) are essential for implementing the Center's objectives. The program will provide one award of $800,000 for the initial 12-month budget period. The award is for a five-year project period, running from September 2025 to September 2030. Continuation funding is contingent upon satisfactory progress, availability of funds, and alignment with federal priorities. Cost sharing or matching funds are not required. The Center's activities will include conducting formative evaluations of service coordination initiatives, building research capacity, and addressing gaps in measuring the processes and outcomes of service integration. Key areas of focus include culturally informed research and strategies to improve economic mobility and early learning outcomes for children. Applicants must propose a robust research design and demonstrate expertise in collaborating with human services programs. Applications are due by June 2, 2025, with the award announcement expected by August 15, 2025. The project is anticipated to start on September 30, 2025. The program requires rigorous methodologies to ensure actionable findings that contribute to the field’s understanding of coordinated service approaches. For additional information, applicants can contact Kathleen Dwyer at kathleen.dwyer@acf.hhs.gov or (202) 401-5600.