Standing Announcement for Residential (Staff Secure) Services for Unaccompanied Alien Children

Cooperative agreements to USA community and faith-based organizations and care providers to support shelter and welfare services for unaccompanied refugee children. Applicants are advised that required registrations may take up to four weeks to complete. Funding is intended to support staff secure care providers.
Residential care providers operating a staff secure facility must be licensed by an appropriate state agency to provide residential care that includes a heightened level of supervision for: Unaccompanied Alien Children (UAC) being stepped down from a secure program; UAC who have been disruptive to the normal functioning of a shelter program such that transfer is necessary to ensure the welfare of the minor and others; UAC who have non-violent criminal or delinquent history such as isolated or petty offenses, that do not warrant placement in a secure program; and/or UAC who pose an escape risk.Program Structure:Staff secure care providers (hereafter referred to as care providers) operate a structured, state licensed shelter care facility designed to serve a unique population of UAC. Care providers provide a heightened level of staff supervision, communication, and services for a small population of UAC in a basic shelter-like environment. Care providers are required to maintain stricter security measures and higher staffing ratios than shelters/group homes in order to control disruptive behavior and discourage escape, but do not require lock-down procedures typically associated with juvenile detention facilities. The care provider, for example, cannot conduct strip searches, utilize mechanical restraints, utilize cell-like sleeping rooms, or employ razor wire, but there must be effective monitoring so that entry to and egress from the building is controlled.Care providers must provide proper physical care and maintenance, including suitable living accommodations, food, appropriate clothing, and personal grooming items.Care providers must provide documentation of state licensure including information on capacity, age/sex permitted, and allowable length of stay.Care Providers must report any allegations/concerns of abuse and/or neglect; and denial, suspension, and/or revocation of care provider’s and, if applicable, subrecipient(s), licensing to provide child welfare-related services.Care providers must provide specialized services for UAC with substance abuse problems, anger management issues, and/or other special behavioral needs in addition to the services under Section I. Program Requirements. Care providers must evaluate, every 30 days, the UAC’s progress for transfer to a less restrictive setting, such as a shelter. UAC with extremely disruptive behavior and/or attempts to flee may also be considered for transfer to a secure care provider.