Look Beneath the Surface Regional Anti-Trafficking Program | HHS 2017 ACF IOAS OTIP ZV 1210

Opportunity Information: Apply for HHS 2017 ACF IOAS OTIP ZV 1210

The Look Beneath the Surface (LBS) Regional Anti-Trafficking Program is a discretionary federal funding opportunity from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Children and Families (ACF), through the Office of Trafficking in Persons (OTIP). It was offered as a cooperative agreement, meaning awardees are expected to work in close partnership with the federal program office rather than operating completely independently. The program is designed to function as a regional hub or focal point in selected geographic areas, with an emphasis on improving the identification of trafficking victims and ensuring those individuals are referred quickly and appropriately to services and support systems.

The central purpose of the LBS program is to strengthen the ability of communities to find and assist foreign and/or domestic victims of severe forms of trafficking in persons, using the definition established under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000. In practical terms, the grant prioritizes proactive victim identification, not just responding after a case has already surfaced. The expectation is that recipients will build and coordinate on-the-ground strategies that increase recognition of trafficking indicators, reduce missed opportunities for intervention, and create clear pathways for referral to specialized assistance.

The funding announcement lays out several core activity areas that grantees are expected to carry out. These include direct outreach to potential victims, which can involve meeting people where they are and using trauma-informed approaches to engagement and screening. It also includes providing anti-trafficking training and outreach to local professionals, agencies, and organizations that are likely to encounter trafficking victims in the course of routine work. Examples of typical partner audiences in these kinds of programs include health care providers, social service agencies, schools, shelters, law enforcement, labor-related entities, and community-based organizations. Another major expectation is active participation in a strong multidisciplinary anti-trafficking coalition or task force, reflecting the program goal of coordinated regional responses rather than isolated efforts. Finally, the program calls for strategic public awareness activities intended to educate communities, increase reporting and referrals, and help individuals recognize trafficking dynamics and available help.

Eligibility for this opportunity is broad and includes many types of domestic public and nonprofit entities. Eligible applicants include state, county, and city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments; other tribal organizations; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; and nonprofits both with and without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education for the nonprofit categories listed). The announcement also makes clear that faith-based and community organizations that meet the general eligibility requirements may apply. At the same time, the FOA explicitly excludes applications from individuals (including sole proprietorships) and foreign entities, stating they are not eligible and would be disqualified from competitive review and funding.

A notable administrative update is that the FOA was modified to remove a link referencing ACFs Policy on Grants to Faith-Based Organizations from the eligibility section because that policy reference was undergoing review. This modification does not remove faith-based eligibility; instead, it indicates that the specific linked policy reference was taken out while it was being reviewed, while still affirming that faith-based and community organizations can be eligible if they meet the stated requirements.

Key logistical details included in the source data show that the opportunity number is HHS-2017-ACF-IOAS-OTIP-ZV-1210, with the CFDA number 93.598 under the broad activity category of Income Security and Social Services. The original application closing date was July 19, 2017, and the announcement anticipated making about nine awards. The award ceiling listed was $220,000, indicating the maximum expected funding level per award under this FOA. The opportunity was created on June 13, 2017, and was administered by ACF-IOAS-OTIP, reflecting OTIPs role in coordinating national anti-trafficking efforts focused on victim-centered identification and referral systems at the community and regional level.

• The Administration for Children and Families-IOAS-OTIP in the income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Look Beneath the Surface Regional Anti-Trafficking Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.598.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2017-06-13.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2017-07-19. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $220,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 9 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education.

Apply for HHS 2017 ACF IOAS OTIP ZV 1210

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