The United States Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs INL is seeking applications from qualified U.S. and non-U.S. based non-governmental (NGOs)/non-profit organizations or Educational Institutions for a Cooperative Agreement to implement a program entitled "Children Support Centers."

The U.S. government, represented by the Department of State's Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, Office for Afghanistan and Pakistan (INL/AP) directs and oversees foreign assistance programs designed to support criminal justice reform in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. EIL/AP provides support for programs spanning the spectrum of rule of law and corrections sector development, including: professionalizing, training, mentoring, and building the capacity for a safe, humane, and transparent corrections system in Afghanistan. 

Purpose

The project will complement the ongoing INL projects in Herat, Kabul, Balkh, and Badakhshan that identify and protect children living in prison with their mothers in these provinces and the surrounding provinces. Specifically, the project will seek to establish and institutionalize the CSCs in Herat, Kabul, Balkh, and Badakhshan in coordination with OPA, the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs (MOLSA), the Ministry of Education (MOE), and the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH).

INL currently funds four CSCs in Afghanistan. The Herat CSC serves Herat, Farah, Nimroz Ghor, and Badghis provinces. The Kabul CSC serves Kabul, Panvan, Kapisa, Wardak, and Nangarhar provinces. The Balkh CSC serves BalIck Samangan, Faryab, Sar-e-Pul, and Jawzjan provinces. The Badakhshan CSC serves Badakhshan, Kunduz, Baghlan, and Takhar provinces. 

Goals

• Establish and institutionalize operations for up to six sustainable CSCs throughout Afghanistan with the eventual transition of program activities to the Afghan government and relevant stakeholders;
• Decrease the number of children over the age of five living in prison with their mothers;
• Provide children of incarcerated women with comprehensive alternative care and shelter and reduce the likelihood of exploitation by insurgent groups and transnational organized crime; and
• Increase the ability for children of incarcerated women to safely and successfully reintegrate into their families, communities, and society.

Objectives

• Objective 1: Improve access to clean and safe living environments and adequate nutrition for children of incarcerated women
  • Activity 1: Lease and maintain residences for the children
  • Activity 2: Visit prisons to identify children eligible for CSC enrollment
  • Activity 3: Enroll children of incarcerated women into the CSCs
  • Activity 4: Serve three meals and two snacks to beneficiaries daily
  • Activity 5: Provide routine medical care
  • Activity 6: Provide health screenings for newly enrolled beneficiaries
  • Activity 7: Provide each beneficiary with bedding and clothing
• Objective 2: Improve educational and vocational performance, as well as literacy skills, for children of incarcerated women
  • Activity 1: Transport children to school
  • Activity 2: Conduct tutoring and advanced learning classes
  • Activity 3: Ensure each child is assessed for school enrollment
  • Activity 4: Enroll eligible children in school
  • Activity 5: Provide children with required school materials and uniforms
• Objective 3: Improve physical and mental well-being of the children
  • Activity 1: Provide group and individual psychological counseling
  • Activity 2: Maintain familial and mother/child relationships
• Objective 4: Increase outreach and advocacy with relevant stakeholders including government on child protection to ensure sustainable alternative options for children of incarcerated women
  • Activity 1: Conduct cultural and wellness activities
  • Activity 2: Maintain a network with child protection NGO and 10 groups
  • Activity 3: Advocate for children incarcerated with their mothers in the prison system
  • Activity 4: Attend quarterly meetings with the child protection network
• Objective 5: Increase likelihood of successful rehabilitation and reintegration of children of incarcerated women upon release back into society.
  • Activity 1: Conduct tutoring and advanced learning classes
  • Activity 2: Provide group and individual psychological counseling
  • Activity 3: Provide access to recreation

Funding Information

• Award Ceiling: $3,900,000
• Award Floor: $3,800,000

Target Population: The project targets incarcerated women and their children in as many Afghan provinces as possible. The project may also target children of incarcerated fathers in cases where those children would otherwise be homeless or with their fathers in prison. It also targets respective Afghan government ministries to enhance their capabilities to strengthen and protect women and children in Afghanistan. It is particularly important to specify the approximate number of beneficiaries to be directly and indirectly impacted by project activities. 

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants that qualify to receive U.S. grants (such as U.S. not-for-profit/non-governmental organizations (NGOs) or U.S.-based educational institutions subject to section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. tax code; foreign not-for-profits/non-governmental organizations (NGOs) or foreign based educational institutions, with the ability to develop and successfully implement a project in Country X and meet INL's reporting requirements. Organizations must also be able to demonstrate current (or pending) country registration in Country X, if required by the country of project implementation.
• Applicants must have demonstrated experience implementing similar education or capacity building programs, preferably in Country X. INL reserves the right to request additional background information on organizations that do not have previous experience administering similar programs and/or federal grant awards.
• Applicants must have the ability to produce course materials, deliver training, and conduct evaluations in Spanish and English. The applicant's staff should be proficient in English in order to fulfill reporting requirements.
• Applicants must have existing, or the capacity to develop, active partnerships with stakeholders in order to successfully carry out the proposed program.
• Organizations may form a consortium and submit a combined proposal. However, one organization should be designated as the lead applicant and other members as sub-award partners.
• Applicants must be able to respond to the NOFO and be able to mobilize in a short period.

Note: Public International Organizations (PIOs) and For-Profit Organizations are excluded from applying to this grant announcement. 

For more information, visit Grants.gov.