[Federal Register: June 21, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 118)]
[Notices]
[Page 33087-33090]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr21jn99-66]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Office of the Secretary
Office of Minority Health
Availability of Funds for Grants for State and Territorial
Minority HIV/AIDS Demonstration Grant Program
AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, Office of Minority Health.
ACTION: Notice of availability of funds and request for applications
for State and Territorial Minority HIV/AIDS Demonstration Grant
Program.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Purpose
The purposes of this Fiscal Year 1999 State and Territorial
Minority HIV/AIDS Demonstration Program are to:
(1) Assist in the identification of needs within the state for HIV/
AIDS prevention and services among minority populations by collection,
analysis, and/or tracking of existing data on surveillance and existing
providers of HIV services for minority communities;
(2) Facilitate the linkage of minority community-based
organizations with other state and local recipients of federal funds
for HIV/AIDS to develop greater resource capacity and interventions in
the identified areas of need; and
(3) Assist in coordinating federal resources coming into high need,
minority communities including identifying the different programs and
facilitating access to federal technical assistance available to
minority community-based organizations.
This program is intended to demonstrate that the involvement of
State and Territorial Offices of Minority Health in coordinating a
statewide response to the HIV/AIDS crisis in minority communities can
have a greater impact on the communities' understanding of the disease,
and the coordination of prevention and treatment services for minority
populations, than agencies/organizations working independently.
The Public Health Service (PHS) is committed to achieving the
health promotion and disease prevention objectives of Healthy People
2000, a PHS-led national activity to reduce morbidity and mortality and
to improve the quality of life. This announcement relates to 4 of the
22 priority areas established by Healthy People 2000: (1) Alcohol and
other drugs; (2) educational and community-based programs; (3) HIV
infection; and (4) sexually transmitted diseases. Potential applicants
may obtain a copy of the Healthy People 2000 (Full Report: Stock No.
017-001-00474-0) or Healthy People 2000 Midcourse Review and 1995
Revisions (Stock No. 017-001-00526-6) through the Superintendent of
Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402-9325 or
telephone (202) 783-8238.
Background
The Office of Minority Health's (OMH) mission is to improve the
health of racial and ethnic minority populations through the
development of health policies and programs that will help to address
the health disparities and gaps. Consistent with its mission, the role
of OMH is to serve as the focal point within the Department for service
demonstrations, coalition and partnership building, and related efforts
to address the health needs of racial and ethnic minorities. In keeping
with this mission, OMH is establishing the State and Territorial
Minority HIV/AIDS Demonstration Program to assist in addressing the
HIV/AIDS issues facing minority communities across the United States.
This program is based on the hypothesis that a broad, state-level
approach to HIV/AIDS health care promotion and prevention can be
effective in reaching minority populations by both defining existing
needs of prevention and treatment, and supporting strategies to address
these needs. It is anticipated that this approach will strengthen
existing state activities in addressing this health issue by
facilitating infrastructure development or expansion of State and
Territorial Offices of Minority Health to: (1) Take a lead role in
identifying major areas of need in minority communities; (2) link
minority community-based organizations with other state and local
partners in the identified areas of need; and (3) assist in
coordinating federal resources coming into high need, minority
communities including identifying the different programs and
facilitating access to federal technical assistance available to
minority community-based organizations.
Disproportionate Effect of HIV/AIDS on Minorities
Current statistics indicate that although advances have been made
in the treatment of HIV/AIDS, this epidemic continues as a significant
threat to the public health of the United States (U.S.). Despite
showing a decline in the past two years, it remains a disproportionate
threat to minorities. While African-Americans and Hispanics
respectively represent approximately 13% and 10% of the U.S.
population, approximately 36% of the more than 640,000 reported total
AIDS cases are African-American and 18% are Hispanic. Asian/Pacific
Islanders and Native Americans respectively represent 4% and 1% of the
U.S. population and currently each account for less than 1% of the AIDS
cases.
In 1997, more African-Americans were reported with AIDS than any
other racial/ethnic group. Of the total AIDS cases reported that year,
45% (27,075) were reported among African-Americans, 33% (20,197) were
reported among whites, and 21% (12,466) were reported among Hispanics.
Among women and children with AIDS, African-Americans have been
especially affected, representing 60% of all women reported with AIDS
in 1997 and 62% of reported pediatric AIDS cases in 1997. During 1997,
the rate of new AIDS cases per 100,000 population in the U.S. was 83.7
among African-Americans, 37.7 among Hispanics, 10.4 among whites, 10.4
among American Indians/Alaska Natives, and 4.5 among Asians/Pacific
Islanders.
Data from a recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study
(Trends in the HIV and AIDS Epidemic, 1998) comparing HIV and AIDS
diagnoses in 25 states with integrated reporting systems provide a
clearer picture of recent shifts in the epidemic. The study indicates
that many of the new HIV diagnoses are occurring among African-
Americans, women, and people infected heterosexually, with an increase
also observed among Hispanics. During the period from January 1994
through June
[[Page 33088]]
1997, African-Americans represented 45% of all AIDS diagnoses, but 57%
of all HIV diagnoses. Among young people (ages 13 to 24) diagnosed with
HIV, 63% were among African-Americans and 5% were among Hispanics.
Although some of the states with large Hispanic populations did not
have integrated HIV/AIDS reporting and could not be included in this
study, HIV diagnoses among Hispanics increased 10% between 1995 and
1996.
From this same study, for 1996, an estimated 17,250 African-
American men and 6,750 African-American women were diagnosed with AIDS.
For African-American men, 40% of the transmissions were among men who
have sex with men, 38% were linked with injection drug use and 13% were
due to heterosexual contact with an HIV infected person. For African-
American women, 53% of the transmissions were due to heterosexual
contact and 43% were linked with injection drug use. For this same
year, an estimated 8,680 Hispanic men and 2,210 Hispanic women were
diagnosed with AIDS. Of this number, 45% of the transmissions were
among men who have sex with men, 38% were linked with injection drug
use and 10% were due to heterosexual contact. For Hispanic women, 60%
of the transmissions were due to heterosexual contact and 37% linked
with injection drug use.
Eligible Applicants
Eligibility is limited to State and Territorial <SUP>1</SUP>
Offices of Minority Health or, for those states and territories that do
not have an established Office of Minority Health, a state or
territorial minority health entity located within a State or
Territorial Department of Health which functions in the capacity of an
Office of Minority Health. (See Definitions in this announcement.) Each
state and territory may submit no more than one proposal under this
announcement.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Includes all 50 states, the District of Columbia, American
Samoa, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Marshall Islands,
Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, Republic of Palau, and the
Virgin Islands.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Documentation to verify official status as a State or Territorial
Office of Minority Health must include a signed statement from a state/
territorial level authorizing official (e.g., Governor or designated
official, Commissioner of Health or designee).
Documentation to verify official status as a state or territorial
minority health entity must include a signed statement from the
Commissioner of Health or designee in the Department of Health stating
that the identified entity has been functioning in the capacity of a
State or Territorial Office of Minority Health and describing the types
of activities performed or being performed.
Letters of support and commitment to the demonstration project from
both the State or Territorial Commissioner of Health and the Office of
the Governor are required as part of the application.
Deadline
To receive consideration, grant applications must be received by
the Office of Minority Health (OMH) Grants Management Office by July
21, 1999. Applications will be considered as meeting the deadline if
they are: (1) Received on or before the deadline date, or (2)
postmarked on or before the deadline date and received in time for
orderly processing. A legibly dated receipt from a commercial carrier
or U.S. Postal Service will be accepted in lieu of a postmark. Private
metered postmarks will not be accepted as proof of timely mailing.
Applications submitted by facsimile transmission (FAX) or any other
electronic format will not be accepted. Applications which do not meet
the deadline will be considered late and will be returned to the
applicant unread.
Addresses/Contacts
Applications must be prepared using Form PHS 5161-1 (Revised May
1996). Application kits and technical assistance on budget and business
aspects of the application may be obtained from Ms. Carolyn A.
Williams, Grants Management Officer, Division of Management Operations,
Office of Minority Health, Rockwall II Building, Suite 1000, 5515
Security Lane, Rockville, MD 20852, telephone (301) 594-0758. Completed
applications are to be submitted to the same address.
Questions regarding programmatic information and/or requests for
technical assistance in the preparation of grant applications should be
directed to Ms. Cynthia H. Amis, Director, Division of Program
Operations, Office of Minority Health, Rockwall II Building, Suite
1000, 5515 Security Lane, Rockville, MD 20852, telephone (301) 594-
0769.
Technical assistance is also available through the OMH Regional
Minority Health Consultants (RMHCs). A listing of the RMHCs and how
they may be contacted will be provided in the grant application kit.
Additionally, applicants can contact the OMH Resource Center (OMH-RC)
at 1-800-444-6472 for health information.
Availability of Funds
Approximately $3 million will be available for award in FY 1999. It
is projected that awards of up to $150,000 total costs (direct and
indirect) for a 12-month budget period will be made to approximately 20
competing applicants. The amount of funds requested should be based on
the size and complexity of the proposed project.
Period of Support
The start date for the State and Territorial Minority HIV/AIDS
Demonstration Program grants is September 30, 1999. Support may be
requested for a total project period not to exceed 3 years.
Noncompeting continuation awards of up to $150,000 will be made subject
to satisfactory performance and availability of funds.
Project Requirements
Each applicant to this demonstration grant program must:
(1) Address the three purposes of the program announcement:
<bullet> Assist in the identification of needs within the state for
HIV/AIDS prevention and services for minority populations by
collection, analysis, and/or tracking of existing data on surveillance
and existing providers of HIV services for minority communities. The
use of geographic information systems and related techniques should be
given due consideration as one of the tools to address this area;
<bullet> Facilitate the linkage of minority community-based
organizations with other state and local recipients of federal funds
for HIV/AIDS to develop greater resource capacity and interventions in
the identified areas of need; and
<bullet> Assist in coordinating federal resources coming into high
need, minority communities including identifying the different programs
and facilitating access to federal technical assistance available to
minority community-based organizations.
(2) Describe plans to establish a project advisory committee to
assist the applicant in carrying out the activities specified in the
project. The membership is to be comprised of five to seven individuals
with the applicant serving as an ex officio member. Committee
membership should include: a representative from a state Office on AIDS
or state HIV/AIDS coordinator, an HIV/AIDS health care provider, a
representative from an AIDS service organization serving a substantial
number of people of color, and a minority person living with HIV/AIDS.
Other potential members may include: a
[[Page 33089]]
representative from an HIV/AIDS community planning committee or group
(e.g., a group initiated by a local community; a group established
under a Federal program, such as the HIV Prevention Cooperative
Agreements projects supported by the Center for Disease Control and
Prevention or Ryan White Planning Council), an outreach worker/social
worker, or a consumer/patient advocate.
Use of Grant Funds
Budgets of up to $150,000 total cost (direct and indirect) per year
may be requested to cover costs of: personnel, consultants, supplies,
equipment, and grant related travel. Funds may not be used for medical
treatment, construction, building alterations, or renovations. All
budget requests must be fully justified in terms of the proposed goals
and objectives and include a computational explanation of how costs
were determined.
Criteria for Evaluation Applications
Review of Application
Applications will be screened upon receipt. Those that are judged
to be incomplete, nonresponsive to the announcement or nonconforming
will be returned without review. Each state and territory may submit no
more than one proposal under this announcement. Accepted applications
will be reviewed for technical merit in accordance with PHS policies.
Applications will be evaluated by an objective review panel chosen for
their expertise in minority health, experience relevant to this
program, and their understanding and knowledge of the health problems
and risk factors confronting racial and ethnic minorities in the United
States.
Applicants are advised to pay close attention to the specific
program guidelines and general instructions provided in the application
kit.
Application Review Criteria
The technical review of applications will consider the following
generic factors:
Factor 1: Background (15%)
Adequacy of demonstrated knowledge of the impact of HIV/AIDS on the
state and within minority communities. Adequacy of the description of
the HIV/AIDS problem confronting the state and minority communities and
of the needs to be addressed. Extent of past efforts/activities in
addressing HIV/AIDS in minority communities.
Factor 2: Goals and Objectives (15%)
Merit of objectives in addressing all three purposes stated in
Federal Register notice and the identified problem. Extent to which
objectives are attainable within the stated time frames.
Factor 3: Methodology (35%)
Appropriateness of proposed plan and specific activities for each
objective (e.g., capacity to integrate surveillance data and an
analysis of existing prevention and treatment delivery systems into a
state-wide needs assessment for minority populations, partnership
building, technical assistance and resource referral). Logic and
sequencing of the planned approaches in relation to the objectives and
program evaluation.
Factor 4: Evaluation (20%)
Thoroughness, feasibility and appropriateness of the evaluation
design, and data collection and analysis procedures. Clarity of the
intent and plans to document the activities and their outcomes. The
potential for replication of the project for similar target populations
and communities including the assessment of the utility of the
different tools used to implement the program.
Factor 5: Management Plan (15%)
Applicant organization's capability to manage and evaluate the
project as determined by: the qualifications of proposed staff or
requirements for ``to be hired'' staff; proposed staff level of effort;
and composition of proposed advisory committee (e.g., membership,
role).
Award Criteria
Funding decisions will be determined by the Deputy Assistant
Secretary for Minority Health, Office of Minority Health and will take
under consideration: recommendations/ratings of the review panels; and
geographic and racial/ethnic distribution. Consideration will also be
given to projects proposed to be implemented in Empowerment Zones and
Enterprise Communities.
Definitions
For purposes of this grant announcement, the following definitions
are provided:
AIDS Service Organization (ASO)--A health association, support
agency, or other service actively involved in the prevention and
treatment of AIDS. (HIV/AIDS Treatment Information Service's Glossary
of HIV/AIDS-Related Terms, March 1997.)
Minority Community-Based Organizations--Public and private
nonprofit community-based minority organization or a local affiliate of
a national minority organization that has: a governing board composed
of 51 percent or more racial/ethnic minority members, a significant
number of minorities employed in key staff positions, and an
established record of service to a racial/ethnic minority community.
Minority Populations--American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian,
Black or African-American, Hispanic or Latino, and Native Hawaiian or
Other Pacific Islander. (Revision to the Standards for the
Classification of Federal Data on Race and Ethnicity, Federal Register,
Vol. 62, No. 210, pg. 58782, October 30, 1997.)
Needs Assessment--A systematic process whereby information
(including epidemiologic data) is gathered in order to identify
barriers to effective access to HIV/AIDS services at the state and
local level, resulting in any number of outcomes including
identification of risk factors, service gaps, infrastructure needs,
strategic or action plans, and recommendations for policy changes.
State or Territorial Offices of Minority Health--An entity
established by an Executive Order, a statute or a state/territorial
health officer to improve the health of racial and ethnic populations.
State or Territorial Minority Health Entity--A unit or contact
located within a State or Territorial Department of Health that
addresses the health disparities experienced by minority populations.
Reporting and Other Requirements
General Reporting Requirements
A successful applicant under this notice will submit: (1) progress
reports; (2) an annual Financial Status Report; and (3) a final project
report and Financial Status Report in the format established by the
Office of Minority Health, in accordance with provisions of the general
regulations which apply under 45 CFR Part 92, Subpart C reporting
requirements apply.
Provision of Smoke-Free Workplace and Non-Use of Tobacco Products by
Recipients of PHS Grants
The Public Health Service strongly encourages all grant recipients
to provide a smoke-free workplace and to promote the non-use of all
tobacco products. In addition, Pub. L. 103-227, the Pro-Children Act of
1994, prohibits smoking in certain facilities (or in some cases, any
portion of a facility) in which regular or routine education, library,
day care, health care or early childhood development services are
provided to children.
[[Page 33090]]
State Reviews
This program is subject to the requirements of Executive Order
12372 which allows States the option of setting up a system for
reviewing applications from within their States for assistance under
certain Federal programs. The application kit to be made available
under this notice will contain a listing of States which have chosen to
set up a review system and will include a State Single Point of Contact
(SPOC) in the State for review. Applicants (other than federally
recognized Indian tribes) should contact their SPOCs as early as
possible to alert them to the prospective applications and receive any
necessary instructions on the State process. For proposed projects
serving more than one State, the applicant is advised to contact the
SPOC of each affected State. The due date for State process
recommendations is 60 days after the application deadline established
by the Office of Minority Health's Grants Management Officer. The
Office of Minority Health does not guarantee that it will accommodate
or explain its responses to State process recommendations received
after that date. (See ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs''
Executive Order 12372 and 45 CFR part 100 for a description of the
review process and requirements).
(OMB Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance: The OMB Catalog of
Federal Domestic Assistance number for this program is pending.)
Authority: This program is authorized under section 1707(e)(1)
of the Public Health Service Act, as amended by Public Law 105-392.
Dated: June 9, 1999.
Nathan Stinson, Jr.,
Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Minority Health.
[FR Doc. 99-15634 Filed 6-18-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-17-P