Family Self-Sufficiency Demonstration Development Phase 2 Awards | HHS 2024 ACF OPRE PE 0045

Family Self-Sufficiency Demonstration Development (FSSDD) Phase 2 Awards - FAQs

What is the FSSDD Phase 2 Awards opportunity?

FSSDD Phase 2 is a discretionary federal funding opportunity from the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation (OPRE). It is designed as a continuation of earlier work funded under a prior award and supports participating organizations in strengthening evidence-building and evidence-informed service delivery for families.

What type of funding mechanism is being used?

This opportunity is offered as a cooperative agreement. In a cooperative agreement, the federal government typically expects to be actively involved with recipients during the project period rather than issuing funds with minimal ongoing involvement.

How is Phase 2 connected to Phase 1?

Phase 2 is specifically framed as a continuation of work funded under the earlier FSSDD award (HHS-2021-ACF-OPRE-PE-1944). It is intended to help the original cohort of awardees continue and deepen the evidence-building activities started in Phase 1.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is strictly limited to entities that previously received the initial FSSDD awards under HHS-2021-ACF-OPRE-PE-1944. Organizations that did not receive that original award are not eligible for Phase 2 funding.

Are individuals or sole proprietorships eligible?

No. Individuals, including sole proprietorships, are explicitly ineligible and would be disqualified during review.

Are foreign entities eligible?

No. Foreign entities are explicitly ineligible and would be disqualified during review.

Can faith-based or community organizations apply?

Faith-based and community organizations may apply only if they meet the core eligibility requirement of being an original FSSDD awardee under HHS-2021-ACF-OPRE-PE-1944. OPRE indicates selection will not discriminate based on religious character or affiliation, consistent with applicable federal protections and regulations.

What is the main goal of Phase 2?

The central goal is to strengthen participating organizations so they can deliver more effective, evidence-informed services to families. OPRE is seeking efforts that build internal capacity to use data and evidence in day-to-day operations, program decision-making, and continuous improvement.

What kinds of capacity-building activities does OPRE expect?

Phase 2 emphasizes improving how programs define outcomes, measure progress, learn what is working (and for whom), and adapt services accordingly. The focus is on embedding data and evidence use into routine organizational practice.

Who is the target population for the work supported by this funding?

The overall focus is on families with children who are eligible for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), or who may be at risk of becoming eligible. The intent is to improve economic stability and family well-being among populations closely connected to TANF pathways.

Is the purpose limited to improving the applicant organization only?

No. In addition to strengthening internal practice, Phase 2 recipients are expected to contribute to the broader evidence base about interventions that support families connected to TANF eligibility or risk.

What does it mean to "contribute to the evidence base" in this opportunity?

Based on the description provided, it means recipients are expected to generate credible learnings that can inform research, policy, and practice audiences, beyond the needs of a single organization.

Are recipients expected to share results or lessons learned?

Yes. The opportunity emphasizes sharing lessons learned and implications from the work so that knowledge gained does not remain isolated within one organization.

Is sustainability required after the funding ends?

Yes. Recipients must develop clear plans for maintaining an evidence-driven organizational culture after federal funding ends.

Is technical assistance (TA) required?

Yes. A key requirement is that recipients must work throughout the project with a federally funded, third-party technical assistance provider.

What is the role of the third-party TA provider?

The TA provider is part of the structured support and expectations for implementing evidence capacity-building activities, adopting appropriate methods, and documenting progress during the project.

How does the cooperative agreement affect how the project will be run?

Because this is a cooperative agreement, ongoing federal involvement and the structured TA relationship are integral to how the project is designed to operate, rather than being optional or incidental.

What is the opportunity number?

The opportunity number is HHS-2024-ACF-OPRE-PE-0045.

What is the Assistance Listing (CFDA) number and program category?

The Assistance Listing is 93.595, and the activity falls under the Income Security and Social Services category.

How many awards does OPRE expect to make?

OPRE anticipates making about 5 awards.

What is the maximum award amount?

The award ceiling is $200,000.

When was the notice created?

The notice was created on April 17, 2024.

What was the application closing date listed in the notice?

The original closing date listed for applications is June 18, 2024.

If an organization did not receive the Phase 1 award, can it partner or apply anyway?

The information provided states eligibility is strictly limited to entities that previously received the initial FSSDD awards under HHS-2021-ACF-OPRE-PE-1944. It does not describe any alternative eligibility pathway for organizations that were not original awardees.

What prior award is referenced as the basis for eligibility?

The prior award referenced is HHS-2021-ACF-OPRE-PE-1944, which funded the initial cohort that is eligible for Phase 2.