Home Study and Post-Release Services for Unaccompanied Alien Children
🏛 Administration for Children and Families - ORR
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Oct 18, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for organizations providing services to unaccompanied alien children (UAC) in federal custody or post-release. Eligible applicants include nonprofits, state and local governments, and faith-based organizations with capacity to deliver home studies and case management. Activities supported include conducting home environment assessments, coordinating with sponsors, and providing post-release support services. Geographic scope is nationwide, with priority for areas with high UAC populations.
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Key dates
- Jun 5, 2026 Applications open
- Sep 29, 2026 Award announced
- Sep 29, 2026 Project start
- Oct 1, 2027 Application deadline in 347 days
Program description
The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) provides temporary housing and care for children who arrive in the United States alone. These are children who are under 18 years old, don’t have legal permission to be in the U.S., and don’t have a parent or legal guardian in the U.S. who can take care of them. ORR runs the Home Study and Post-Release Services Program to help these children. Before placing a child with a sponsor, ORR carefully checks potential homes to make sure they’re safe and appropriate. After placement, ORR provides ongoing support to help children and their sponsors succeed. This support helps children adjust to living with their sponsor, connect with their community, stay safe and healthy, and navigate the immigration court process. The goal is to make sure children are placed in safe homes and have the support they need to thrive while their immigration cases move forward.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
- 501(c)(3) Public Charity
- City / Municipal Government
- County Government
- Faith-based Organization
- Nonprofits
- Private University
- Public Authority
- Public K-12 School
- Public University
- Small Business (SBA-defined)
- Special District
- State Government
- Tribal Nation
- Tribal Organization
Demographic focus
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Project Narrative
- Budget and Budget Narrative
- Organizational Capacity Statement
- Letters of Support from Partners
- Evidence of 501(c)(3) Status (if applicable)
- Organizational Chart and Key Personnel Bios
Program contact
- 👤 Rebecca Packer
- 📧 UCBgrants@acf.hhs.gov
- 📞 UCBgrants@acf.hhs.gov
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.676 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$468,239,668
-
$438,286,807
-
$404,574,848
-
$395,047,857
-
$384,336,873
-
$365,937,343
-
$365,034,274
-
$328,361,665
-
$314,506,870
-
$291,227,302
Top States by Funding
- TX 40 awards $7,800.2M
- NY 12 awards $1,100.4M
- MD 8 awards $594.3M
- VA 6 awards $398.4M
- OH 4 awards $371.0M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.676). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $3,535,163,483 | |
| 2025 | $3,183,622,121 | |
| 2026 est. | $2,872,989,528 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply?
Nonprofits, government agencies, and faith-based organizations serving unaccompanied children. Applicants must demonstrate experience with vulnerable youth populations.
What services does this grant fund?
Home study assessments, sponsor support coordination, case management, and post-release services for unaccompanied alien children.
Are there geographic restrictions?
No. Awards are national, though priority may favor areas with concentrated UAC populations.
How competitive is this funding?
Highly competitive. Applicants need strong child welfare credentials and partnerships with ORR.
What is the typical award range?
Awards vary widely based on scope. Budget narratives should reflect local cost of living and caseload size.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Demonstrate prior experience serving immigrant or unaccompanied youth populations. Case studies strengthen applications.
- Build partnerships with local child protective services, immigration legal aid, and ORR field offices.
- Detail your capacity for home studies, background checks, and sponsor verification processes.
- Address trauma-informed care and culturally competent service delivery in your program design.
- Include letters of support from community partners and evidence of your financial stability.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Lack of demonstrated experience with immigrant or UAC populations. Insufficient detail on home study protocols and sponsor vetting procedures. Weak partnerships with local child welfare and immigration agencies.
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