[Federal Register: March 19, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 53)]
[Notices]
[Page 15481-15484]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr19mr01-86]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Office of the Secretary
Availability of Funds for Grants for the Bilingual/Bicultural
Service Demonstration Program
AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, Office of Public Health and Science,
Office of Minority Health, HHS.
ACTION: Notice of availability of funds and request for applications
for the Bilingual/Bicultural Service Demonstration Grant Program.
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Program Title
Bilingual/Bicultural Service Demonstration Grant Program.
OMB Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance: The OMB Catalog of
Federal Domestic Assistance number for the Bilingual/Bicultural
Service Demonstration Program is 93.105.
Authority: This program is authorized under section 1707(e)(1)
of the Public Health Service Act, as amended.
Purpose
The purpose of this Fiscal Year 2001 Bilingual/Bicultural Service
Demonstration Grant Program is to:
1. Improve and expand the capacity for linguistic and cultural
competence of health care professionals and paraprofessionals working
with limited-English-proficient (LEP) minority communities; and
2. Improve the accessibility and utilization of health care
services among the LEP minority populations.
These grants are intended to demonstrate the merit of programs that
involve partnerships between minority community-based organizations and
health care facilities in a collaborative effort to:
Address cultural and linguistic barriers to effective
health care service delivery; and
Increase access to effective health care for the LEP
minority populations living in the United States.
Eligible Applicants
To qualify for funding, an applicant must:
1. Be a private non-profit, minority or public community-based
organization which addresses health or human services (see definition
found in this announcement).
2. Provide services to a targeted LEP minority community.
3. Have an established linkage with a health care facility. Local
affiliates of national organizations which have an established link
with a health care facility are eligible to apply. The linkage must:
Involve two separate and distinct entities.
Be documented in writing as specified under the project
requirements described in this announcement.
The organization submitting the application will:
Serve as the lead agency for the grant.
Be responsible for management of the project.
Serve as the fiscal agent for the federal grant awarded.
Organizations are not allowed to receive funding from more than one
Office of Minority Health (OMH) grant program a time. An organization
may submit only one proposal under this announcement.
Note: National, state-wide, and regional organizations, for-
profit hospitals, universities, and schools of higher learning may
not apply for these grants.
Availability of Funds
About $1.25 million is expected to be available for award in FY
2001. It is expected that 9 to 15 community-based organizations (CBOs)
will receive awards.
Note: It is anticipated that $500,000 of the total funding will
be awarded to projects that include HIV/AIDS as one of the targeted
health problem areas.
Those applicants chosen through the competitive process:
Are to begin their service demonstration programs on
September 30, 2001.
Will receive an award ranging from $75,000 to $150,000
total costs (direct and indirect) for a 12 month period.
Will be able to receive noncompeting continuation awards
for an additional 2 years. After year 1, funding is based on:
--The amount of money available; and
--Success or progress in meeting project objectives.
Note: For the non-competing continuation awards, grantees must
submit continuation
[[Page 15482]]
applications, written reports, and continue to meet the established
funding guidelines.
Continuation awards are expected to range from $75,000 to
$150,000. The actual funding level will depend on the availability of
funds.
Use of Grant Funds
Budgets ranging between $75,000 to $150,000 total costs (direct and
indirect) may be requested per year to cover costs of:
Personnel
Consultants
Supplies including screening and outreach supplies
Equipment
Grant related travel
Other grant related costs
Funds may not be used for:
Medical treatment
Building alterations or renovations
Construction
Note: All budget requests must be fully justified in terms of
the proposed purpose and objectives. Funds to attend an annual OMH
grantee meeting must be included in the budget.
Background
In the United States today, millions of people are not able to
speak, read, write, or understand the English language at a level that
permits them to interact with their English only health care providers
or social services agencies. This can result in barriers in patients'
getting to programs, or delays or denial of their services or care.
Often, the client may walk away with inaccurate or incomplete health
information.
The OMH is committed to working with CBOs to offer activities and
services for people with limited English skills.
OMH aims to reach people with limited English proficiency, many of
whom are members of racial or ethnic populations. To that end, OMH
began the Bilingual/Bicultural Service demonstration Program in 1993.
The Program works to build communication bridges and reduce barriers to
care for members of LEP communities though offering funding of
demonstration projects.
Project Requirements
Each project funded under this demonstration program is to:
1. Address at least 1, but no more than 3 problem health areas
identified in the section on Health Areas to be Addressed.
2. Carry out activities to improve and expand the capacity of
health care providers and other health care professionals to deliver
culturally and linguistically appropriate health care services to the
target population.
3. Carry out activities to improve access to health care for the
LEP population.
4. Have an established, formal linkage between the community-based
organization and a health care facility, prior to submission of an
application. The linkage must involve two separate and distinct
entities.
A single signed agreement between the applicant organization and
the partner organization must be submitted with the application. The
agreement must specify in detail the roles and resources that each
entity will bring to the project, and the terms of the linkage. The
linkage agreement must cover the entire project period.
The document must be signed by individuals with the authority to
represent the organization (e.g., president, chief executive officer,
executive director).
Health Areas to be Addressed
In FY 2001, the Bilingual/Bicultural Service Demonstration Program
will target 21 health areas which are part of the Healthy People 2010
focus areas.
An applicant is required to address at least 1, but no more than 3
of the following health areas for its demonstration project:
Access to Quality Health Services
Arthritis, Osteoporosis, and Chronic Back Conditions
Cancer
Chronic Kidney Disease
Diabetes
Environmental Health
Family Planning
Heart Disease and Stroke
HIV
Immunization and Infectious Disease
Injury and Violence Prevention
Maternal, Infant, and Child Health
Mental Health and Mental Disorders Conditions
Nutrition and Overweight
Oral Health
Physical Activity and Fitness
Respiratory Diseases
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Substance Abuse
Tobacco Use
Vision and Hearing
Application Kit
For this grant, you must use form PHS 5161-1 (Revised June
1999 and approved by OMB under Control Number 0937-0189).
You are advised to pay close attention to the specific
program guidelines and general instructions provided in the application
kit.
To get an application kit, write to: Ms. Karen Campbell,
Acting Grants Management Officer, Division of Management Operations,
Office of Minority Health, Rockwall II Building, Suite 1000, 5515
Security Lane, Rockville, MD 20852; or, call Karen Campbell at: (301)
594-0758.
Where to Send Applications
Send the original and 2 copies of the complete grant application
to: Ms. Karen Campbell, Acting Grants Management Officer, Division of
Management Operations, Office of Minority Health, Rockwall II Building,
Suite 1000, 5515 Security Lane, Rockville, MD 20852.
Application Deadline
To receive consideration, grant applications must be received by
the OMH Grants Management Office by May 18, 2001. 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.
How to Get Help
In addition to contacting Karen Campbell for application kits, she
may also be contacted for technical assistance on budget and business
aspects of the application. For questions on the program and assistance
in preparing a grant proposal, contact: Ms. Cynthia H. Amis, Director,
Division of Program Operations, Office of Minority Health, Rockwall II
Building, Suite 1000, 5515 Security Lane, Rockville, MD 20852; or, call
Cynthia Amis at: (301) 594-0769.
For additional assistance contact OMH Regional Minority Health
Consultants listed in the grant application kit.
For health information call the OMH Resource Center at 1-800-444-
6472.
Review of Application
Applications will be screened upon receipt. Applications
that are not complete or do not conform to or address the criteria of
the announcement will be returned without comment.
[[Page 15483]]
Each organization may submit no more than one proposal
under this announcement.
Organizations submitting more than one proposal will be
deemed ineligible. The proposals will be returned without comment.
Accepted applications will be reviewed for technical merit
in accordance with PHS policies.
Applications will be evaluated by an Objective Review
Panel. Panel members are chosen for their expertise in minority health
and their understanding of the unique health problems and related
issues confronted by the racial/ethnic minority populations in the
United States.
Application Review Criteria
The technical review of applications will consider the following 5
generic factors.
Factor 1: Background (15%)
Demonstrated knowledge of the problem at the local level
Demonstrated need within the proposed community and target
population
Demonstrated support and established linkage(s) in order to
conduct the proposed model
Extent and documented outcome of past efforts and activities
with the target population
Factor 2: Objectives (15%)
Merit of the objectives
Relevance to the program purpose and stated problem
Attainability in the stated time frames
Factor 3: Methodology (35%)
Appropriateness of proposed approach and specific activities
for each objective
Logic and sequencing of the planned approaches in relation to
the objectives and program evaluation
Extent to which the applicant demonstrates access to the
target population
Soundness of the established linkage(s)
Factor 4: Evaluation (20%)
Thoroughness, feasibility and appropriateness of the
evaluation design, data collection and analysis procedures
Clarity of the intent and plans to document the activities and
their outcomes
Potential for replication of the project for similar target
populations and communities
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
--Staff level of effort
--Management experience of the applicant
--Experience of each member of the linkage as it relates to its defined
roles and the project
Award Criteria
Funding decisions will be determined by the Deputy Assistant
Secretary for Minority Health, OMH and will take under consideration:
The recommendations and ratings of the review panel
Geographic and racial/ethnic distribution
Whether the proposed project will take place in Empowerment
Zones and Enterprise Communities
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
progress report and Financial Status Report in the format established
by the OMH, in accordance with provisions of the general regulations
which apply under 45 CFR Part 74.51-74.52, with the exception of State
and local governments to which 45 CFR Part 92, Subpart C reporting
requirements apply.
Provision of Smoke-Free Workplace and Nonuse of Tobacco Products by
Recipients of PHS Grants
The PHS strongly encourages all grant recipients to provide a
smoke-free workplace and to promote the nonuse of all tobacco products.
In addition, Public Law 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.
Public Health System Reporting Requirements
This program is subject to Public Health Systems Reporting
Requirements. Under these requirements, a community-based
nongovernmental applicant must prepare and submit a Public Health
System Impact Statement (PHSIS). The PHSIS is intended to provide
information to State and local health officials to keep them apprised
of proposed health services grant applications submitted by community-
based organizations within their jurisdictions.
Community-based nongovernmental applicants are required to submit,
no later than the Federal due date for receipt of the application, the
following information to the head of the appropriate state and local
health agencies in the area(s) to be impacted: (a) A copy of the face
page of the application (SF 424), and (b) a summary of the project
(PHSIS), not to exceed one page, which provides: (1) a description of
the population to be served, (2) a summary of the services to be
provided, and (3) a description of the coordination planned with the
appropriate State or local health agencies. Copies of the letters
forwarding the PHSIS to these authorities must be contained in the
application materials submitted to the Office of Minority Health.
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 available under this
notice will contain a list 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 OMH Grants
Management Officer. The OMH 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.)
Healthy People 2010: The PHS is committed to achieving the health
promotion and disease prevention objectives of Healthy People 2010, a
PHS-led national activity announced in January 2000 to eliminate health
disparities and improve years and quality of life. More information on
the Healthy People 2010 objectives may be found on the Healthy People
2010 web
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site: http://www.health.gov/healthypeople. Copies of the Healthy People
2010: Volumes I and II can be purchased by calling (202) 512-1800 (cost
$70 for printed version or $19 for CDROM). Another reference is the
Healthy People 2000 Review--1998-99.
For 1 free copy of Healthy People 2010, contact NCHS: The National
Center for Health Statistics, Division of Data Services, 6525 Belcrest
Road, Hyattsville, MD 20782-2003; or telephone (301) 458-4636; ask for
DHHS Publication No. (PHS) 99-1256.
This document may also be downloaded from the NCHS web site: http:/
/www.cdc.gov/nchs.
Additional Background Information
In FY 1993, OMH launched the Bilingual/Bicultural Service
Demonstration Program to specifically address the linguistic, cultural
and social barriers the LEP minority populations encounter when
accessing health services. In addition, the program recognized other
factors which contribute to the poor health status of LEP minorities
including:
Inadequate number of health care providers and other health
care professionals who are culturally competent and skilled in
providing linguistically appropriate services
Shortage of trained interpreters at the community level
Limited knowledge about appropriate mechanisms to address
language barriers in health settings
Lack of effective partnerships between major mainstream
provider organizations and LEP minority communities
Geographic isolation
Low economic status
Lack of health insurance
Organizational barriers
These factors continue to hinder the LEP populations' ability to
access and attain quality health care. Therefore, it is essential that
health care providers, health care professionals, and other staff
become informed about the diverse linguistic, cultural and medical
perspectives of the clientele.
Enhancement of cultural and linguistic competency among these
individuals should increase LEP minority populations' knowledge of the
Western health care model, and increase their access to and willingness
to accept appropriate health care.
In a further effort to insure that all people entering the health
care system receive equitable and effective treatment in a culturally
and linguistically appropriate manner, the OMH finalized the National
Standards on Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS)
in Health Care on December 22, 2000.
While these 14 standards are primarily directed at health care
organizations, the principals and activities of culturally and
linguistically appropriate services should be undertaken in partnership
with communities being served. OMH encourages minority community-based
organizations to work with partner health care facilities to implement
activities addressing those CLAS standards that have applicability to
the purposes of the Bilingual/Bicultural Service Demonstration Program.
Definitions
For purposes of this grant announcement, the following definitions
are provided:
Community-Based Organization--Private, nonprofit organizations and
public organizations that are representative of communities or
significant segments of communities where the control and decision-
making powers are located at the community level.
Cultural Competency--The ability to understand and appreciate
cultural differences and similarities within, among and between groups.
This requires a willingness and ability to draw on community-based
values, traditions and customs, and to work with knowledgeable persons
of and from the community in developing focused interventions,
communications and other supports. (Orlandi, Mario A., 1992.)
Health Care Facility--A private, nonprofit or public facility that
has an established record for providing comprehensive health care
services to a targeted, LEP racial/ethnic minority community.
A health care facility may be a hospital, outpatient medical
facility, community health center, migrant health center, or a mental
health center. Facilities providing only screening and referral
activities are not included in this definition.
Limited-English-Proficient Populations (LEP)--People from Minority
Populations (see definition below) with a primary language other than
English. These individuals must communicate in their main language in
order to participate effectively in and benefit from any aid, service
or benefit provided by the health provider.
Minority Community-Based Organization--Private, non-profit,
community-based organizations or local affiliates of a national
organizations that have: a governing board composed of 51 percent or
more racial/ethnic minority members and a significant number of
minorities in key program positions.
Minority Populations
American Indian or Alaska Native
Asian
Black or African American
Hispanic or Latino
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.)
Dated: March 8, 2001.
Nathan Stinson, Jr.,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Minority Health.
[FR Doc. 01-6715 Filed 3-16-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-17-P