Grants.gov

This is a Request for Information(RFI). This is not a Request forProposal or a Request for Application (RFA) and is not to be construed as acommitment by the U.S. Government to issue any solicitation or Notice of FundingOpportunity, or ultimately to award a contract or assistance agreement on thebasis of this RFI, or to pay for any information voluntarily submitted as aresult of this request. USAID postsits competitive business opportunities on www.fbo.gov or www.grants.gov. It is thepotential offeror’s/applicant’s responsibility to monitor these sites forannouncements of new opportunities. Please note that responding to this RFI will not give any advantage toany organization or individual in any subsequent competition. Responses may beused by USAID without restriction or limitation, therefore proprietaryinformation should not be sent. This RFI is issued pursuant to FAR Part 15.201(c),(d) and (f) and FAR Part 10.002 (b)(2)(iii). The purpose of this RFI is tooffer the opportunity for interested organizations and individuals to provideinformation, opinions and recommendations on approaches for the implementationof the Integrated Violence Prevention Activityto improve the provision of services to high risk populations, strengthen thereferral systems already in place and strengthen organizations and institutionscharged with this type of care and related services, including both state andnon-state actors, as described in the attached Initial Problem Statement. Kindly respond tothis RFI through email directed to Vann D. Rolfson, Contracting Officer,USAID/Honduras at oaahonduras@usaid.gov. Please include the RFI number inthe subject line of the email. Questionsregarding this RFI will not be answered. USAID will review and consider any responses as part of determining whetherand how to proceed with a new activity in this area. Thank you for yourcontinuing partnership in this important development sector. Sincerely, Vann D. Rolfson Contracting Officer RFI: Integrated Violence Prevention USAID/Honduras seeks to gain further insighton challenges facing the identification and provision of both secondaryand tertiary prevention services to at-risk youth and their families, andpotential solutions in Honduras. The input may contribute to upcoming activitydesign(s). INITIAL PROBLEM STATEMENT Despite a relativedecline in the rate of homicides, Honduras continues to have one of the highestmurder rates in the world at 43.6 homicides per 100,000 people in 2017. Violentacts are primarily concentrated in low-income, urban areas and primarilyperpetrated by young males against other young males. This correlation providesthe basis for USAID/Honduras’ Development Objective 1 (“DO 1”): “CitizenSecurity increased for vulnerable populations in urban, high-crime areas.”Toaddress these challenges, USAID’s approach is comprehensive and holistic, withinterventions on the primary, secondary and tertiary spectrum of violenceprevention. USAID activitieswork to identify at risk youth, and provide specific support services tailoredto the need of the individual and their family, and importantly, within theircommunities. Activities include Outreach Centers, family-based counseling andsupport services, workforce development and job training opportunities,addressing violence in schools, small scale community infrastructure, andworking with community committees and community policing. The earlier you canidentify at risk youth and get them the support services they need, the easierit is to stop the progression of risk and, simultaneously, crime and violencethat is endemic to youth in Honduras. There are realchallenges in identifying high risk youth, and further challenges faced inaccessing these youth when and where they most need services. Because servicesmay be needed during non-working hours, require confidentiality, and othercircumstances, these violence prevention services must have a degree ofcommunity embedding or anchoring that is crucial to providing services to youthand their families. Youth and theirfamilies must be referred to the appropriate, linked services, that are integratedto provide a complete model for violence prevention. Strategic linkages must be made with localgovernments, civil society organizations, private sector, and donor‐fundedactivities to increase locally-led services for eligible youth and their families. Service provision must be genderspecific, since men and women experience violence differently. Through a new activity(ies),USAID/Honduras will seek to improve the provision of services to high riskpopulations, strengthen the referral systems already in place and strengthenorganizations and institutions charged with this type of care and relatedservices, including both state and non-state actors. BACKGROUND Crime, violence, and homicide are at or near record highs in thenorthern triangle countries of Central America - Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador. In the last decade multiple observers haveranked Honduras and El Salvador among the most violent countries in the world.[1] To reverse this trend, USAID adapted bothsociological and public health models of violence prevention in support ofgovernment and civil society efforts. USAID/Honduras further adapted and advocated a public health model ofviolence reduction and prevention, first posited by the U.S. Surgeon General in1979, and taken up by the Department of Health and Human Services and theCenters for Disease Control[2]. This model views violence in epidemiologicalterms, equivalent to communicable diseases, and seeks to interrupt violentbehaviors through targeted interventions that reduce incidence and preventfurther transmission. The public healthviolence prevention approach is predicated on having clearly defined targetpopulations, disaggregated by risk levels, and clearly identified risk andprotective factors. USAID/Honduras hasadapted a fourth component – community policing – to the three “traditional”public health interventions against violence. This is an essential component to sustain the positive results ofprevention and effectively confront crime and violence with the cooperation ofthe community. Questions for Industry Feedback: 1. What type of proven interventions would be the most effective atproviding violence prevention services for higher risk (secondary and tertiary)youth in communities facing gang-related violence? 2. What are some key strategies for identifying higher risk youth incommunities? 3. What are the pros and cons of family-based interventions with higherrisk youth? 4. What are the obstacles to and possible solutions for at-risk youthreceiving integrated violence prevention services, specifically, those who arenot yet in conflict with the law? 5. What are the opportunitiesfor local, non-governmental organizations, the Government of Honduras, andothers to provide integrated violence prevention services to higher risk youthin Honduras? 6. How would you rank(prioritize) the aspects that serve to impede the provision of integratedprevention services to youth and their families? 7. What are key interventions required for violence prevention servicesto higher risk youth and their families? 8. How can migration beintegrated or the linkage of migration be addressed in prevention services? 9. How are higher risk violenceprevention services experienced differently by males and females? Are theredistinctions that should be made which are not currently? 10. How can USAID increasesustainability and increase local ownership of the existing violence preventionservices for higher risk youth? __________ [1] Honduras reached a high of 87 homicides/100,000people in 2011. January – September 2016rate was 45/1000. (Observatorio Nacional de la Violencia, Universidad NacionalAutónoma de Honduras/IUDPAS http://www.iudpas.org/boletines/boletines-nacionales). [2] Dahlberg, et.al. The History of Violence as a Public Health Issue. (2009). American Medical Association. http://virtualmentor.ama-assn.org/2009/02/mhst1-0902

The purpose of this project is to evaluate the methods, outcomes, and effectiveness of the G.R.E.A.T. Program through scientifically validated data sources and studies conducted with kids who have completed the course curriculum since 2010 and their teachers, school principals, and parents. The evaluation will measure effectiveness of El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, and Costa Rica’s progress toward achieving the GREAT programs objectives among at risk youth. The targeted population is 170,767 at risk youth in El Salvador, 487,890 in Honduras, 150,000 in Panama, and 45,685 in Costa Rica; that have completed the program since 2010. The in-depth outcomes evaluation will determine changes in levels of gang affiliation, levels of violence perpetration, attitude toward the police, and perception of police in their communities, among these graduates and in comparison with students who have not been exposed to G.R.E.A.T.In order to better understand to what extent and how results were achieved, the implementer’s research team will conduct an analysis of the most relevant factors contributing to results, challenges hindering impact, and any unintended outcomes (if applicable). INL seeks to understand the effectiveness of the G.R.E.A.T. program to share the full results and best practices with relevant host nation and implementing partner counterparts, as well as limited information publicly. This study will provide relevant information for police in the target countries to tailor their approaches to at-risk youth and countering gang violence.INL in coordination with the El Salvador Civilian Police (PNC), the Honduras National Police (HNP), the Panama National Police (PNP), and the Public Force of Costa Rica (FPCR) will provide a database of the public schools in the targeted countries that have participated in the G.R.E.A.T. program. In addition, INL and the G.R.E.A.T. program implementer will provide a data base of the more than 2,300 certified officers in El Salvador including their specific geographic area/designated police delegation/sub-delegation, or post; and a database of the families of the kids that have participated in the G.R.E.A.T. program.Priority Region/Countries: El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, and Costa Rica

The Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out a project to provide logistics support to the National Civilian Police (PNC) in the implementation of the Gang Resistance Education And Training (GREAT) in El Salvador. The targeted population is youth at risk in El Salvador coursing Elementary and Middle grades plus PNC prevention officers who are certified as GREAT instructors.

OJP is committed to advancing work that promotes civil rights and racial equity, increases access to justice, supports crime victims and individuals impacted by the justice system, strengthens community safety and protects the public from crime and evolving threats and builds trust between law enforcement and the community. OJJDP envisions a nation where children are free from crime and violence. Youth contact with the justice system should be rare, fair, and beneficial to them. The OJJDP FY 2022 Supporting Vulnerable At-Risk Youth and Youth Transitioning Out of Foster Care solicitation supports the establishment of a pilot demonstration program to develop, implement, and build replicable treatment models for residential-based innovative care, treatment, and services. The primary population served by such pilot programs shall include adolescents and youth transitioning out of foster care who have experienced a history of foster care involvement, child poverty, child abuse or neglect, human trafficking, juvenile justice involvement, substance use or misuse, or gang involvement. Eligible applicants can provide services to youth and young adults up to and including age 25. Consistent with the Family First Prevention Services Act of 2018 (Family First), OJJDP believes that children should be kept safely with their families to avoid the trauma that results when children are placed in out-of-home care. To increase the number of children who can remain safely at home with their families, Family First provides families with greater access to mental health services, substance use treatment, and/or improved parenting skills. This law significantly shifts how the country provides services for families and youth. In particular, it changed the role of community service providers, how courts advocate and make decisions for families, and the types of placements that youth placed in out-of-home care experience. Similar to Family First, the 2018 reauthorization of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act also emphasizes the value of keeping youth in their homes and families, over out-of-home placements and incarceration. Other common values between the two Acts include: commitment to evidence-based and promising practices, increasing access to education and workforce development opportunities, and a focus on prevention. This solicitation recognizes the need to offer high quality services and treatment to help put youth who are transitioning from foster care on a track for success. Funding may not be used to expand the capacity of residential- facilities through construction of additional units or bed capacity. Category 1: Project Sites. Funding under this category will support the efforts of eligible applicant organizations to develop or enhance their capacity to support at-risk and vulnerable youth transitioning out of foster care by funding implementation of replicable models for residential-based innovative care, treatment, and services. Funds may not be used for construction of new units or increased bed capacity for youth. Category 2: Training and Technical Assistance. Funding under this category will support a training and technical assistance provider to support the Category 1 project sites and increase awareness of innovative treatment models for vulnerable and at-risk youth transitioning out of foster care for other interested communities.

OJP is committed to advancing work that promotes civil rights and racial equity, increases access to justice, supports crime victims and individuals impacted by the justice system, strengthens community safety, protects the public from crime and evolving threats, and builds trust between law enforcement and the community. This solicitation provides funding for applicants to develop/enhance strategies to prevent youth violence, including youth gang/group involvement and youth gang/group violence.

Please refer to the OJP Invitation Letter for program-specific information. Statutory Authority: Awards under this solicitation will be made under the Department of Justice Appropriations Act, 2021, Pub. L. No. 116-260, 134 Stat. 1182, 1257.

OJP is committed to advancing work that promotes civil rights and racial equity, increases access to justice, supports crime victims and individuals impacted by the justice system, strengthens community safety and protects the public from crime and evolving threats, and builds trust between law enforcement and the community. OJJDP's guiding philosophy is to enhance the welfare of America’s youth and broaden their opportunities for a better future. To bring these goals to fruition, OJJDP is leading efforts to transform the juvenile justice system into one that will Treat Children as Children; Serve Children at Home, With Their Families, in their Communities; and Open Up Opportunities for System-Involved Youth. OJJDP encourages all proposed applications that work with youth to highlight how the proposed program aligns with these priorities. OJJDP envisions a juvenile justice system centered on the strengths, needs, and voices of youth and families. Young people and family members with lived experience are vital resources for understanding and reaching persons involved or at risk of involvement with youth-serving systems. OJJDP asks stakeholders to join us in sustainably integrating bold, transformative youth and family partnership strategies into our daily work. OJJDP believes in achieving positive outcomes for youth, families, and communities through meaningful partnership and active partnerships, ensuring they play a central role in collaboratively developing solutions. Applicants must describe how their proposed project/program will integrate and sustain meaningful youth and family partnerships into their project plan and budget. Depending on the nature of an applicant’s proposed project, youth and family partnership could consist of one or more of the following: Individual-level partnership in case planning and direct service delivery (before, during, and after contact with youth-serving systems). Agency-level partnership (e.g., in policy, practice, and program development, implementation, and evaluation; staffing; advisory bodies; budget development). System-level partnership (e.g., in strategic planning activities, system improvement initiatives, advocacy strategies, reform efforts). With this solicitation, OJJDP seeks to support the establishment of a pilot demonstration program to develop, implement, and build replicable treatment models for residential-based innovative care, treatment, and services. The primary population served by such pilot programs will include adolescents and youth transitioning out of foster care who have experienced a history of foster care involvement, child poverty, child abuse or neglect, human trafficking, juvenile justice system involvement, substance use or misuse, or gang involvement. Eligible applicants can provide services to vulnerable and at-risk youth up to and including age 25. Consistent with the Family First Prevention Services Act of 2018 (Family First), OJJDP believes that children should be kept safely with their families to avoid the trauma that results when children are placed in out-of-home care. To increase the number of children who can remain safely at home with their families, Family First provides families with greater access to mental health services, substance use treatment, and/or improved parenting skills. This law significantly shifts how the country provides services for families and youth. In particular, it changed the role of community service providers, how courts advocate and make decisions for families, and the types of placements that youth placed in out-of-home care experience. Similar to Family First, the 2018 reauthorization of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act also emphasizes the value of keeping youth in their homes and families rather than out-of-home placements and incarceration. Other common values between the two Acts include commitment to evidence-based and promising practices, increased access to education and workforce development opportunities, and a focus on prevention. This solicitation recognizes the need to offer high-quality services and treatment to help put youth who are transitioning from foster care on a track for success. Funding may not be used to expand the capacity of residential facilities through construction of additional units or bed capacity. Funding will support the efforts of eligible applicant organizations to develop or enhance their capacity to support at-risk and vulnerable youth transitioning out of foster care by funding implementation of replicable models for residential-based innovative care, treatment, and services. Funds may not be used for construction of new units or increased bed capacity for youth.

The U.S. Embassy in Amman announces an open competition for eligible not-for-profit organizations to submit proposals to design and implement projects that leverage or build innovative digital platforms and channels to reach and engage with Jordanian youth to address one or more of the following challenges: Unemployment or underemployment of underserved youth outside Amman; lack of gender parity in the workforce, with an emphasis on women in security and justice sectors; gender-based violence, honor killings, substance use, and/or gang violence; and low rates of political participation among youth. Program Objectives: The Public Affairs Section at the U.S. Embassy in Amman is soliciting proposals from eligible organizations for innovative and inclusive whole-of-society approaches to engaging youth between 12-35 years of age that includes a component(s) of gaming/gamification and/or strategic communications campaigns in order to address factors of social exclusion and discontent among underserved or underrepresented youth in Jordanian society in an effort to help mitigate vulnerabilities to recruitment and radicalization. The program’s goals are to design audience-driven tools and projects that focus on building the critical thinking and problem solving skills of youth, aged 12-35, to ensure they are equipped with the skills and knowledge to remain proactive in identifying and addressing factors of social exclusion; push and pull factors influencing and driving recruitment efforts by extremist and violent groups; and building the skills of those most vulnerable to being exploited by malign actors, all in an effort to ensure participants are able to actively identify and mitigate rising and existing threats, and create and amplify alternative or counter narratives on identity, agency, and belonging. Proposals should outline how they support the Jordanian government’s efforts in building the capacity of youth. Successful applicants will plan to co-design audience-centric, partner-led, and contextually relevant programs and tools. Applicants should consider multi-stakeholder approaches that bring together or coordinate the actions of central and local government or law enforcement as well as civil society, religious communities, academia, the private sector, local accelerators and incubators. All proposals should include a digital media plan that provides an overview of how the awardee will leverage digital and traditional media to amplify the activities, progress, and results of the program, such as by sharing participant testimonials through podcasts or webisodes, to serve as a public awareness and prevention tool.

The Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out a project to Implement the Gang Resistance Education And Training (G.R.E.A.T.) Program – Training and Technical Assistance Support through Central America. G.R.E.A.T. is a school-based, life-skills competency program taught by uniformed law enforcement officers and helps youths foster positive attitudes toward law enforcement, avoid conflict, resist peer pressure, and develop a strong sense of personal responsibility.

OJP is committed to advancing work that promotes civil rights and racial equity, increases access to justice, supports crime victims and individuals impacted by the justice system, strengthens community safety and protects the public from crime and evolving threats, and builds trust between law enforcement and the community. OJJDP's guiding philosophy is to enhance the welfare of America’s youth and broaden their opportunities for a better future. To bring these goals to fruition, OJJDP is leading efforts to transform the juvenile justice system into one that will Treat Children as Children; Serve Children at Home, With Their Families, in their Communities; and Open Up Opportunities for System-Involved Youth. OJJDP encourages all proposed applications that work with youth to highlight how the proposed program aligns with these priorities. OJJDP envisions a juvenile justice system centered on the strengths, needs, and voices of youth and families. Young people and family members with lived experience are vital resources for understanding and reaching persons involved or at risk of involvement with youth-serving systems. OJJDP asks stakeholders to join us in sustainably integrating bold, transformative youth and family partnership strategies into our daily work. OJJDP believes in achieving positive outcomes for youth, families, and communities through meaningful engagement and active partnerships, ensuring they play a central role in collaboratively developing solutions. Applicants must describe how their proposed project/program will integrate and sustain meaningful youth and family partnerships into their project plan and budget. Depending on the nature of an applicant’s proposed project, youth and family partnership could consist of one or more of the following: Individual-level partnership in case planning and direct service delivery (before, during, and after contact with youth-serving systems). Agency-level partnership (e.g., in policy, practice, and program development, implementation, and evaluation; staffing; advisory bodies; budget development). System-level partnership (e.g., in strategic planning activities, system improvement initiatives, advocacy strategies, reform efforts). With this solicitation, OJJDP seeks to provide funding for applicants to develop and/or enhance strategies to prevent youth violence, including youth gang involvement and youth gang/group violence.

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The U.S. Embassy Seoul Public Diplomacy Section (PD) of the U.S. Department of State is pleased to announce that funding is available for a youth women’s leadership program focused on supporting young women living in areas outside of Seoul. The Republic of Korea (ROK) is now one of the world’s most influential countries following decades of impressive economic growth and technological innovation, a boom in cultural exports, and public sector initiatives to establish the ROK as a “global pivotal state”. As like-minded democracies, both the ROK and the United States have a strong responsibility to make sure economic and social opportunities are open to all citizens, especially women. To support women’s economic opportunity, the U.S. Embassy in Seoul’s Public Diplomacy Section will create a leadership and mentorship cohort focused on building the skills of at least thirty South Korean aged 25-35 who represent diverse sectors of the economy and have shown the potential to grow as leaders in their respective fields. Through this program, participants will learn from American and Korean experts and their peers as well as broaden their professional networks in a supporting and collaborative environment. The U.S. Embassy seeks proposals from ROK-based organizations and individuals to run this inaugural program, focused on planning and implementing events, recruiting members, and building a strong support network that connects Korean and American women leaders. Strong preference will be given to proposals that include participants from outside of the Seoul metropolitan region and utilize our American Corner network (located in Pyeongtaek, Gangneung, Busan, Gwangju and Jeju) in addition to the American Diplomacy House in Seoul. Proposals should also include plans for monitoring and evaluation as well as follow-on alumni programs to ensure a lasting impact. Outputs/Outcomes This women youth leadership program will focus on developing their leadership skills, growing their global mindset, broadening their professional networking opportunities alongside other emerging women leaders, and supporting the next generation as mentors themselves. Details/Logistics U.S. Embassy Seoul and a grantee will be jointly responsible for vetting and selecting program participants. The U.S. government retains final approval authority for all participants, who will apply initially via a standardized application form on a public website with program information and associated information and social media campaigns. Participants should be between the ages of 25-35 years old, be fluent in English, be early in their careers, and have demonstrated the potential to grow as leaders in their professions. Grantee Expectations We expect the following distinct components of this program: · At least ten coaching and discussion sessions (either delivered in-person at our American Corners or virtually) · Interactive workshops on leadership at the American Diplomacy House Seoul · Follow-on activities for participants to serve as mentors for college students · Networking activities Virtual Engagements: The grantee will be responsible for organizing and implementing a series of virtual engagements with U.S. and/or Korean experts who can empower and provide coaching sessions to this group of selected participants. This virtual engagement should provide opportunities for participants to share their challenges, grow their leadership skills through professional coaching, and help them to develop their future plans. In-Person Workshop The leadership program will also include intensive leadership workshops at the American Diplomacy House Seoul, featuring guest experts, candid conversations about workplace challenges, and time for networking. Participants will also be asked to develop a personal “leadership action plan” and commit to serving as a mentor to at least one college student. As part of the workshop, Embassy Seoul will arrange engagements with senior women government leaders. Post Workshop Follow-On Following the workshop, the grantee will help participants to find their own college student mentee who they will work with, and support until participants are on board with mentoring for the first three-months. We will also give strong preference to programs with a detailed alumni engagement plan.

Note: Each funding opportunity description is a synopsis of information in the Federal Register application notice. For specific information about eligibility, please see the official application notice. The official version of this document is the document published in the Federal Register. Free Internet access to the official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of Federal Regulations is available on GPO Access at: http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/index.html. Please review the official application notice for pre-application and application requirements, application submission information, performance measures, priorities and program contact information. For the addresses for obtaining and submitting an application, please refer to our Revised Common Instructions for Applicants to Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the Federal Register on December 7, 2022. Purpose of Program: The purpose of the Transitioning Gang-Involved Youth to Higher Education Program (TGIY) is to provide a funding opportunity for organizations that work directly with gang-involved youth to help such youth pursue higher education opportunities that will lead to certification or credentials. Such programs can include apprenticeships or other workforce preparation programs that promote job readiness upon completion of the program, while simultaneously providing essential wraparound services that include culturally competent social and emotional support. Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.116Y.

Overview: The Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out a project providing a community-based solution to counter gang recruitment in selected communities of Trinidad and Tobago (TT). Countering the spread of criminal gangs is an INL Priority goal under mission goal 1, “Enhanced Citizen Security and Rule of Law’, objective 1.2 ‘Institutions support at-risk communities to address the underlying drivers of crime, gang involvement and violent extremism’, Sub Objective 1.2.1 ‘TT expands youth development and diversion programs to disincentivize gang involvement, strengthens juvenile justice systems, and improve relationships between law enforcement and at-risk communities’ Criminal gang activities drive violent crime and homicides in TT. This undermines public safety, negatively impacting livelihood, consumer confidence, foreign investment, and the ability of every citizen to enjoy peaceful and friendly communities. Lack of sustainable economic opportunities creates a climate for recruiting vulnerable youth into criminal gangs, leading to a decrease in the productive capacity of the young adult population between the ages of 18-35, especially males. Youth between the ages of 10 and 18 are more susceptible to societal and cultural ‘push’ factors, and ‘pull’ factors within the gang itself. Familial factors such as parental drug and alcohol abuse, violence at home, and parental criminality or gang membership are amongst the strongest predictors or delinquency and gang involvement. Community ‘push’ factors linked to joining gangs include social disorganization, availability of firearms, access to drugs and cultural norms supporting gang behavior. Youth may be pushed towards gang culture to resist structural violence they experience in their own community. In addition, the presence of pre-existing gangs correlates strongly with furth