American Rescue Plan Act Emergency Native Language Funding Opportunity Announcement

Description

The American Rescue Plan Act (ARP), Section 11004 authorized Section 816 of the Native Americans Programs Act (NAPA) of 1974 (42 USC 2992d) to amend Section 803C of NAPA (42 USC 2991b-3) to create (g) Emergency Grants for Native American Language Preservation and Maintenance to award grants to entities eligible to receive assistance under subsection (a) (1) to ensure the survival and continuing vitality of Native American languages during and after the public health emergency declared by the Secretary with respect to the COVID-19 pandemic. I. Program Description The Administration for Children and Families, Administration for Native Americans (ANA) announces the availability of Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 funds made available from the ARP for Native Languages. These funds will be used to make emergency awards to eligible recipients to ensure the survival and continuing vitality of Native American languages during and after the public health emergency with respect to the COVID-19 pandemic. Native languages and cultures are at a critical point in their existence due to the number of Elders and language speakers that have died as a result of the COVID-19 virus. Native languages are more than just words, as cultural values, tribal customs, and ceremony are embedded in them (Mmari, Blum, Teufel-Shone, 2010). Additionally, Indigenous languages serve as protective factors for Indigenous communities. Studies demonstrate that people who speak their Native language(s) have enhanced mental health and happiness, measured by lower rates of suicide, suicide attempts, and suicidal ideation than those without language knowledge (Hallett, Chandler, & Lalonde, 2007; Ball & Moselle, 2013; Dockery, 2011). This emergency funding is intended to support as many tribal and Native communities as possible in their efforts to maintain and preserve Native languages, as these are connected to also preserving Native culture and wellbeing. Native American communities, including federally and state-recognized Indian Tribes, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities, have had disproportionately higher rates of virus infection cases and loss of life due to COVID-19. Social distancing and closures have limited the ability to meet in-person for language instruction, cultural activities, and ceremonial practices that utilize Native languages. Many Native communities are unable to conduct language programming virtually due to inadequate technology, broadband, and infrastructure. Native Tribes and communities are at different stages of language preservation efforts. Because the needs are so diverse and great, ANA wants to strategically and equitably use this funding to support the needs of as many entities as possible that the legislative authority allows. After conducting Tribal Consultation and Listening Sessions with ANA’s eligible entities, the funding will be distributed on an equal allocation basis to federally and state-recognized Tribal governments or designees through emergency non-competitive awards. Some Tribes and Alaska Native villages have Tribally-chartered non-profit organizations that they may wish to designate to apply on their behalf. Only one award will be made to each Tribe. Eligible entities with a current ANA grant may be eligible to receive an ARP emergency award. ANA will accept an abbreviated application. Eligible entities must submit approximately 5-10 pages of a project narrative, a line-item budget and justification, and a simplified workplan in addition to other required grant application forms such as the SF-424 and SF-424A. The proposed emergency language projects should be able to identify one or two of the following domains that will be the focus of the project: · Resources and Documentation (for example: language instruction modules, recordings, transcribing, curriculum development, dictionary building) · Instruction (teacher training, professional development, Master-Apprentice) · Technology and Infrastructure (computer and devices, internet enhancements, IT networking) · Planning (survey, community readiness or interest assessment, strategic plan) · Elder or intergenerational engagement (Elder language instruction, Elder storytelling in the language, Elder speaker recordings) Depending on the number of applications that ANA receives, Tribal applicants may be awarded between $37,000-$95,000, subject to the number of approvable applications and funding availability. Tribal applicants, or their designee, are encouraged to propose a project that could be adapted to this range, as budgets will most likely have to be adjusted. Funding is only available to eligible entities that have a living language. The language to be served must be a living language. Pre-award negotiations will be made to eligible recipients to finalize the budget before the award. ANA will publish a separate Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for ARP funds that will be awarded to pre-selected Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander organizations. Applicants may propose projects with project periods consisting of either 12, 24, or 36 months. The funds are available until expended. This is one-time funding, and no additional funds are available for projects that have multiple years. There is only one budget period for the duration of the project. Therefore, there is no non-competitive continuation award process for multiple year projects. Additional Information on Awards: For Tribes or their designees, the funds will be distributed on an equal allocation based on the total number of eligible applications that are received. As a result, the award ceiling and final budget amount may be increased or reduced. Recipients will be notified and asked to adjust their budget during the award negotiation process, prior to award. Tribal designee applicants must include an official letter from the tribal leader or Council that confirms that the Tribe’s allocation will be awarded to the non-tribal entity. ANA will publish a separate FOA for ARP funds that will be awarded to select Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander applicants. III. Eligibility Information Eligible Applicants – · Native American tribal governments (federally recognized); · Federally-recognized Indian Tribes, as recognized by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA); · Incorporated state-recognized Indian Tribes. If designated by a federally-recognized or state-recognized Tribe to receive the Tribe’s funding allocation, the following entities are eligible to receive an award. The designation must be submitted either by the Tribe as an official statement on letterhead or a resolution with its application: · Incorporated non-profit multi-purpose community-based Indian organizations; · Non-profit Native organizations in Alaska with village-specific projects; · Incorporated non-profit Alaska Native multipurpose, community-based organizations; · Tribal colleges and universities. An eligible applicant is limited to one award under this FOA. Additionally, an eligible applicant may subaward to another eligible applicant. In this instance, the subrecipient may also choose to submit its own application for an ARP award to implement its own project. Eligible entities with a current ANA grant may be eligible to receive an ARP emergency award. Incorporated non-profit, multi-purpose, community-based Indian organizations can also be incorporated non-profit Native schools, preschools, and/or child-care centers serving birth to grade 12 that teach and/or serve Native languages and students. Cost Sharing or Matching: No

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