The Prevention Services Evaluation Partnerships: Supporting Adoptive Families grant opportunity, offered by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), aims to fund rigorous evaluations of programs or services designed to provide enhanced support to adoptive families and children at risk of disruption or dissolution. These risks could lead to foster care placements, making the evaluation of such interventions critical. This funding opportunity encourages collaboration among evaluators, Title IV-E agencies, community entities, and researchers experienced with adopted children, foster children, or children in kinship care arrangements. The grant focuses on mental health, substance abuse prevention and/or treatment, in-home parent skill-building, and kinship navigator programs.

The purpose of this grant is to conduct a summative randomized control trial (RCT) or quasi-experimental evaluation aligned with the Title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse standards for causal evidence. The evaluation will contribute to research that may help programs achieve a "Moderate" or "High" rating by the Clearinghouse. Programs or services evaluated must demonstrate readiness for rigorous evaluation, such as having completed prior formative assessments. Eligible areas of focus include programs that have not yet been rated by the Clearinghouse, programs rated as "does not currently meet criteria," or programs adapted for underserved populations or those with historic or ongoing overrepresentation in the child welfare system.

The grant will provide an estimated total funding amount of $1,800,000, with an award ceiling of $1,800,000 and a floor of $900,000. Only one award is expected. Funding will be distributed through a cooperative agreement, and no cost-sharing or matching requirements apply. The estimated project start date is September 30, 2025, with an award date of August 29, 2025. Applications must be submitted electronically by June 9, 2025, no later than 11:59 PM Eastern Time. The grant will remain open for submission until the archive date of July 9, 2025.

Eligible applicants include a wide range of organizations, including state and local governments, independent school districts, public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status, small businesses, for-profit organizations (excluding small businesses), Native American tribal organizations, and public housing authorities. Applications from individuals, sole proprietorships, or foreign entities are not eligible. Faith-based organizations that meet eligibility requirements may also apply.

Applicants will need to provide clear evidence of their program's readiness for evaluation and design a study that adheres to rigorous research standards. The evaluation must leverage primary data collection or existing administrative data to assess outcomes. The recipient is expected to collaborate with federal staff and other members of the Prevention Services Evaluation Partnerships cohort throughout the project to ensure alignment and share knowledge.

The timeline for this funding opportunity includes an estimated post date of April 10, 2025, with submissions due by June 9, 2025. The project is anticipated to start on September 30, 2025. Interested parties can contact Alysia Blandon at 202-205-8386 or email **psep@acf.hhs.gov** for further details. Additional information about the Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation (OPRE) can be found on their official website: [https://www.acf.hhs.gov/opre](https://www.acf.hhs.gov/opre).