Are timeline extensions for federal dollars possible?

If federal grant money is tied to time limits that are not written into federal law, there might be flexibility:

Would the Administration of Children and Families (ACF) consider extensions on time-limited grant dollars where programming and associated spending is delayed?

"I hear you loud and clear on that and I share your concern. You know in general we're looking for every flexibility that we have in our programs and trying to extend those flexibilities so that you can meet the needs of young people that you're working with, and also maintain your own ability as an organization so that you can continue to meet those needs. There are times in our grant money where there are very specific time limits that are written into the federal law. If that's the case, administratively, we don't necessarily have the flexibility to delay the end of those time periods. But if we do have flexibility within our control, and to answer your question, very specifically: yes, we want to exercise that. I should also note that we are working closely with folks on the Hill who have a very serious and committed interest in making sure that we take advantage of any opportunities. There are even some that might require a legislative fix in order to do what's necessary right now, as you say." — Dr. Jerry Milner, Associate Commissioner of the Children's Bureau, ACF, March 19, 2020 (source)

Timelines for federal reviews and Program Improvement Plan deadlines can be extended by ACF:

Will there be flexibility for states regarding meeting federal requirements, like Title IV-E performance improvement plans, when things like courts are closed or you aren't able to make certain face-to-face visits?

"As part of one of our dear child welfare leaders letter that we have just sent out, we have acknowledged that we are going to be rescheduling some of the upcoming federal reviews. We've had requests from three or four states to reschedule pending reviews that are coming up and we're happy to try to work with states to accommodate those requests. We also know that a number of states are working on Program Improvement Plans out there that have a lot of deadlines and states were fearful about being penalized for not meeting those deadlines when they are focusing their attention in other places, as they need to do at this time. So we've also given flexibility there around renegotiating the timeframes of those Program Improvement Plans, extending deadlines as we go forward in order to accommodate the emergency work. That's what’s going on right now"

— Dr. Jerry Milner, Associate Commissioner of the Children's Bureau, ACF, March 19, 2020 (source)

Anything else?

If your questions are not answered here, please tell us more: Share an obstacle →