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Social Services Research and Demonstration

Program Information

Popular name

SSRD

Program Number

93.647

Program objective

The Social Services Research and Demonstration program (SSRD) was authorized to promote research and demonstration projects related to the prevention and reduction of dependency, or to improve the administration and effectiveness of programs intended to prevent or reduce dependency. Projects funded under SSRD include the Behavioral Interventions Scholars, the Center for Research on Hispanic Children and Families, the National African American Child and Family Research Center, the National Research Center on Poverty and Economic Mobility, the Diaper Distribution Demonstration and Research Pilot, the Affordable Housing and Supportive Services demonstration, and the Medical Legal Partnerships Plus demonstration. The objectives of the Behavioral Intervention Scholars are to 1) support studies that apply a behavioral science lens to specific research questions relevant to social services programs and policies and other issues facing low-income families, and 2) add to the growing body of knowledge on effective behavioral interventions for ACF programs and populations. The objectives of the Center for Research on Hispanic Children and Families are to lead and support research on the needs of 1) the Hispanic populations served by ACF, and 2) on promising approaches to promote social and economic well-being among low-income Hispanic families. The objectives of the National African American Child and Family Research Center are to lead and support research on 1) the assets, needs, and experiences of African American families and children served by ACF programs, and 2) on promising approaches to address economic and social inequities and, ultimately, to promote social and economic well-being among low-income African American families. The objectives of the National Research Center on Poverty and Economic Mobility are to fund projects and programs designed to 1) improve the effectiveness of public policies that reduce poverty, inequality, and their consequences, 2) promote economic mobility and equity, and 3) further develop knowledge of the structural causes of poverty, inequality, and economic insecurity. The objectives of the Diaper Distribution Demonstration and Research Pilot are to evaluate the ability of community action agencies, social services agencies, and other non-profit community organizations to provide diapers and diapering supplies on a consistent basis through diaper distribution programs while also providing wraparound support services for families with low incomes. The objectives of the Affordable Housing and Supportive Services demonstration are to test the outcomes of strengthening wraparound supportive services for residents of affordable housing on individual and family safety, stability, and economic mobility. The objectives of the Medical Legal Partnerships Plus demonstration are to 1) provide support for medical-legal partnerships to build, expand, and strengthen their capacity to provide comprehensive legal services and wraparound social services to families with low incomes, and 2) to test the outcomes of these activities.

Program expenditures, by FY (2023 - 2025)

This chart shows obligations for the program by fiscal year. All data for this chart was provided by the administering agency and sourced from SAM.gov, USASpending.gov, and Treasury.gov.

For more information on each of these data sources, please see the About the data page.

Additional program information

  1. 2016

    It is anticipated that 13 grants will be rewarded in FY 2016, 3 new grants and 10 non-competing continuations. We awarded a total of 12 grants in FY 2016, 1 new grants, and 11 non-competing continuations.

  2. 2017

    12 grants were awarded FY 2017, 4 new grants and 8 non-competing continuations.

  3. 2018

    Two grants were awarded in FY2018, one new award, and one non-competing continuation.

  4. 2019

    We awarded 5 grants in FY2019, 4 new grants, and 1 non-competing continuation.

  5. 2020

    8 grants were awarded in FY 2020 with 5 new grants and 3 non-competing continuations.

  6. 2021

    6 grants were awarded. Behavior Interventions Scholars – one continuing grant and three new awards; The Center for Research on Hispanic Children & Families - 1 continuing grant; African American Child and Family - 1 new grant.

  7. 2024

    It is anticipated that 44 awards were made in FY 2024 * one (1) continuing cooperative agreement for the Center for Research on African American Children and Families * one (1) continuing cooperative agreement for the Center for Research on Hispanic Children & Families * one (1) continuing Behavioral Intervention Scholars award * four (4) new Behavioral Intervention Scholars awards * one (1) continuing National Poverty Fellows * twenty (20) new Diaper Bank awards * eight (8) new Medical Legal Partnerships awards and *eight (8) new Affordable Housing awards.

  8. 2025

    It is anticipated that 48 awards will be made in FY 2025 * one (1) continuing cooperative agreement for the Center for Research on African American Children and Families * one (1) continuing cooperative agreement for the Center for Research on Hispanic Children & Families * four (4) continuing Behavioral Intervention Scholars awards * four (4) new Behavioral Intervention Scholars awards * one (1) continuing National Poverty Fellows awards * twenty (20) continuing Diaper Bank awards * eight (8) continuing Medical Legal Partnerships awards * eight (8) continuing Affordable Housing awards and *one (1) new Tribal Early Childhood and Family Economic Well-being Research Center award.

Single Audit Applies (2 CFR Part 200 Subpart F):

For additional information on single audit requirements for this program, review the current Compliance Supplement.

OMB is working with the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) and agency offices of inspectors general to include links to relevant oversight reports. This section will be updated once this information is made available.

A variety of guidance on grants can be found at https://www.grants.gov and the ACF website: https://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants.