Announcement of Anticipated Availability of Funds for Family Planning Services Grants (Michigan entire state) | PA FPH 17 005

FAQs: HHS Title X Family Planning Services Grant (Michigan Statewide Project)

1) What is this funding opportunity?

This opportunity is a Title X discretionary grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health. It is intended to establish and operate a voluntary family planning services program as a single statewide project covering the entire state of Michigan.

2) What is the main purpose of the grant?

The grant supports the delivery of Title X family planning services statewide. The funded project is expected to function as Michigan's statewide Title X network lead, organizing services so they are accessible, coordinated, and targeted to communities with the greatest need.

3) Is this a statewide award or can it fund multiple regional projects?

This announcement anticipates one statewide award for Michigan. The expected number of awards is one, meaning the project is designed to cover the whole state under a single awardee.

4) How much funding is available?

The award ceiling listed for Michigan is $7,574,000.

5) What is the Funding Opportunity Number and CFDA number?

The Funding Opportunity Number is PA FPH 17 005, and the CFDA number is 93.217.

6) What are the original posting and closing dates?

The original posting date was October 7, 2016, and the original closing date was December 16, 2016.

7) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad and includes public and private nonprofit entities as well as various government bodies and educational institutions. Eligible applicant types listed include:

• State governments
• County governments
• City or township governments
• Special district governments
• Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education
• Private institutions of higher education
• Federally recognized Native American tribal governments
• Other tribal organizations
• Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
• Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education where specified)
• Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education where specified)

8) Do applicants have to apply through a state agency to be considered?

No. The Title X statute explicitly allows local and regional public or private nonprofit entities to apply directly to the Secretary for Title X funds, meaning applicants do not need to apply through a state agency in order to be considered.

9) Who can receive services under this project?

Services must be voluntary and open to anyone seeking care. At the same time, the project is expected to give priority to individuals from low-income families when organizing and targeting resources.

10) What does "priority to individuals from low-income families" mean in practice?

Based on the announcement, the program should be structured so that low-income populations are meaningfully prioritized in how services and resources are organized and targeted, while still making services available broadly and voluntarily to anyone seeking care.

11) What services is the project expected to provide?

The opportunity emphasizes delivery of the core components of Title X family planning, including:

• Clinical family planning services
• Related preventive health services
• Education and information
• Counseling (including patient-centered counseling)
• Referrals, as appropriate, for services outside the project's immediate scope

12) Is the focus only on direct patient care?

No. The announcement describes both direct patient care and the broader system needed to deliver it. That includes building a coordinated statewide service delivery approach, supporting equitable access to contraception and family planning care, and ensuring referrals are available when services fall outside the project's scope.

13) What does it mean to be the "statewide Title X network lead"?

The funded project is expected to lead and coordinate the statewide Title X service network in Michigan. This includes ensuring services are accessible across the state, coordinated among participating providers (if applicable), and targeted toward communities with the greatest need.

14) Does the applicant have to provide all services directly?

No. Applicants may propose providing services directly, or they may rely partly on other entities (such as clinics or community providers) to deliver care throughout the service area.

15) How are applications evaluated if they depend on partner organizations?

Applications that rely on other entities are evaluated in part on how convincingly the applicant demonstrates it can still ensure required services are provided effectively and that the approach will best serve individuals in need across Michigan.

16) What is required if the applicant plans to use subawards or subrecipients?

If not all services will be provided directly, the application must clearly document how subawards would be offered and managed. This includes describing the process and selection criteria that will be used to provide qualified, federally eligible entities a fair opportunity to participate in delivering services throughout Michigan.

17) Are informal partnerships sufficient under this opportunity?

The announcement signals that HHS is looking for transparent, well-justified network design and accountable subrecipient management. Applications should not rely on loosely defined arrangements; they should clearly explain how required services will be ensured and how participating entities will be selected and managed.

18) What geographic area must the project cover?

The project must cover the entire state of Michigan and demonstrate the capacity to serve the state comprehensively, including planning for statewide service coverage so people across Michigan can reasonably access care.

19) What capacity is the applicant expected to demonstrate?

As a statewide award, the successful applicant is expected to demonstrate capacity for statewide planning and service coverage, quality assurance, compliance, and organizing service delivery so access is reasonable across Michigan.

20) What rules or guidance must the project follow?

Applicants are instructed to build proposals around the established Title X framework, including:

• The Title X statute
• Applicable federal regulations and legislative mandates
• The 2014 Title X Program Guidelines
• Office of Population Affairs (OPA) Program Policy Notices
• The program priorities and key issues highlighted in the announcement

21) What is the key compliance expectation reflected in the announcement?

This opportunity is framed as running a compliant Title X project with statewide reach, clear governance, sound partner selection (if applicable), and services aligned with federal standards and guidance, rather than simply offering individual family planning appointments.

22) What does the announcement emphasize about access and equity?

The project is expected to support patient-centered counseling and equitable access to contraception and family planning care, while ensuring services are accessible and coordinated across Michigan and targeted to communities with the greatest need.

23) What role do referrals play in the service model?

Referrals are an expected component of the Title X service approach when services are outside the project's immediate scope. The project should incorporate education, counseling, and referrals as appropriate.

24) Can for-profit organizations apply?

The eligibility list provided in the announcement includes public entities, private nonprofit entities, governments, and educational institutions. For-profit entities are not included in the eligibility categories listed in the provided information.

25) Why does the announcement highlight fair opportunity in subaward selection?

The announcement requires the application to describe a process and selection criteria that provide qualified, federally eligible entities a fair opportunity to participate statewide. This reflects an expectation of transparency and accountability in how the statewide network is built and managed.