Compilation of Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia Department 96 - GRANTS OF GOVERNOR'S OFFICE FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
1. Purpose of Department 96
Department 96 contains the administrative rules governing how the Governor’s Office for Children and Families (GOCF) manages and distributes state and federal grant funds. These grants are intended to improve outcomes for:
Children
Youth
Families
Victims of crime
At-risk populations
The rules ensure that grant funds are:
Used lawfully
Managed responsibly
Accountable to the public
Aligned with state and federal requirements
2. Role of the Governor’s Office for Children and Families
The Governor’s Office for Children and Families serves as a grant-administering agency, not usually a direct service provider. Its responsibilities include:
Awarding grants to eligible organizations
Monitoring compliance with grant conditions
Ensuring financial accountability
Enforcing reporting and performance standards
Coordinating statewide child and family service initiatives
3. Scope of the Rules
Department 96 rules apply to:
Nonprofit organizations
Local governments
State agencies
Other eligible entities receiving GOCF grant funds
The rules govern the entire lifecycle of a grant, from application to closeout.
4. Grant Application and Eligibility
Eligibility Requirements
Rules define who may apply for grants, which typically includes:
Legally established entities
Organizations in good standing with the State of Georgia
Entities capable of managing public funds responsibly
Applicants must demonstrate:
Organizational capacity
Financial stability
Experience relevant to the funded program area
Application Process
Rules typically require:
Submission of a complete and accurate application
Compliance with deadlines
Provision of program descriptions, budgets, and assurances
Agreement to follow all grant conditions if awarded
5. Grant Award and Administration
Award Decisions
The rules allow GOCF to:
Evaluate applications competitively
Consider funding availability
Set priorities based on state and federal goals
Approve, deny, or partially fund applications
Grant awards are not entitlements and may be limited by funding constraints.
Grant Agreements
Once awarded, recipients must enter into a formal grant agreement that:
Specifies the scope of work
Defines allowable costs
Establishes performance expectations
Sets reporting requirements
6. Financial Management and Allowable Costs
Department 96 rules place strong emphasis on financial accountability.
Grant recipients must:
Use funds only for approved purposes
Maintain accurate financial records
Follow approved budgets
Avoid supplanting (replacing existing funds improperly)
Unallowable costs may include:
Expenses unrelated to the grant
Unauthorized personnel costs
Costs incurred outside the grant period
7. Reporting and Monitoring
Programmatic Reporting
Recipients are required to submit:
Performance reports
Data on services delivered
Outcome measurements
These reports help determine whether grant objectives are being met.
Financial Reporting
Recipients must submit:
Regular financial reports
Documentation of expenditures
Reimbursement requests when applicable
Monitoring and Audits
The rules authorize GOCF to:
Conduct site visits
Review records
Require corrective actions
Audit grant funds
8. Compliance and Enforcement
If a recipient fails to comply with the rules or grant agreement, GOCF may:
Withhold payments
Require repayment of funds
Impose special conditions
Suspend or terminate the grant
Disqualify the recipient from future funding
These enforcement provisions protect public funds and ensure program integrity.
9. Grant Modification, Suspension, and Termination
The rules allow grants to be:
Modified by mutual agreement
Suspended for noncompliance
Terminated for cause or lack of funding
Recipients are usually required to:
Return unused funds
Submit final reports
Retain records for a specified period
10. Recordkeeping and Retention
Grant recipients must:
Maintain program and financial records
Retain records for a defined number of years
Make records available for review upon request
This ensures transparency and accountability even after the grant ends.
11. Appeals and Administrative Review
Some rules provide for:
Administrative review of adverse actions
Procedures for responding to findings
Opportunities to correct deficiencies
However, grant awards remain largely discretionary unless otherwise specified.
12. Overall Intent of Department 96 Rules
In summary, Department 96 exists to:
Ensure lawful and ethical use of grant funds
Promote effective services for children and families
Protect public resources
Standardize grant management across programs
Align Georgia’s child and family initiatives with broader policy goals
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