[Federal Register: March 19, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 53)]
[Notices]
[Page 15484-15488]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr19mr01-87]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Office of the Secretary
Availability of Funds for Community Programs to Improve Minority
Health
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 Community Programs to Improve Minority Health Grant Program.
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Program Title: Community Programs to Improve Minority Health Grant
Program.
OMB Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance: The OMB Catalog of
Federal Domestic Assistance number for the Community Programs to
Improve Minority Health is 93.137.
Authority: This program is authorized under section 1707(e)(1)
of the Public Health Service Act (PHS), as amended.
Purpose: The purpose of this Fiscal Year (FY) 2001 Community
Programs to Improve Minority Health Grant Program is to improve the
health status of targeted minority populations through health promotion
and disease risk reduction intervention programs.
This program is intended to demonstrate the effectiveness of
community-based coalitions in:
Developing, implementing, and conducting demonstration
projects which coordinate integrated community-based educational
screening and outreach services, and include linkages for access and
treatment to minorities in high-risk, low-income communities; and
Addressing sociocultural and linguistic barriers to health
care.
[[Page 15485]]
Eligible Applicants
To qualify for funding, an applicant must meet both the criteria
listed below:
1. Be a private non-profit, minority or public community-based
organization which addresses health or human services, Historically
Black College or University (HBCU), Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI),
or Tribal College or University (TCU); and
2. Have an established community coalition of at least three
discrete organizations that include a minority community-based
organization and a health care facility such as a community health
center, migrant health center, health department, or medical center to
provide follow-up treatment services.
The organization submitting the application will:
Serve as the lead agency for the grant;
Be responsible for management of the project; and
Serve as the fiscal agent for the federal grant awarded.
Organizations are not eligible to receive funding from more than
one Office of Minority Health (OMH) grant program concurrently. An
organization may submit only one proposal under this announcement.
Note: National, state-wide, and regional organizations may not
apply for these grants. For-profit hospitals and local school
districts are also ineligible, although they can be included in the
project as a member of the community coalition they may not be the
fiscal agent.
Local affiliates of national, state-wide, or regional organizations
that meet the definition of a minority community-based organization are
eligible to apply.
Availability of Funds
About $2.5 million is expected to be available for award in FY
2001. It is expected that 17 to 25 awards will be made.
Note: It is anticipated that $600,000 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 review process:
Are to begin their service demonstration programs on July
1, 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 applications, written reports, and continue to
meet the established funding guidelines.
Continuation awards are expected to range from $75,000 to
$150,000. Actual funding levels will depend on the availability of
funds.
Use of Grant Funds
Budgets ranging from $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 materials
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
This program is based on the hypothesis that the community
coalition approach to health promotion and risk reduction can be
effective in reaching minority target populations--especially those
most at risk or hard to reach. Among the merits of using coalitions is
the higher likelihood that:
1. The intervention will be culturally sensitive, credible, and
more acceptable to the target population;
2. The project will address the health problem(s) within the
context of related socio-economic issues; and
3. The effort will contribute to overall community empowerment by
strengthening indigenous leadership and organizations.
The OMH is continuing, through this FY 2001 announcement, to
promote the utilization of community coalitions to develop and
implement health education, promotion, and disease risk reduction
programs.
In FY 2001, eligibility for the Community Programs to Improve
Minority Health Grant Program is being expanded to include HBCUs, HSIs,
and TCUs because of their unique and, in many instances, historical
relationship with the target communities.
Also in FY 2001, the Community Programs to Improve Minority Health
Grant Program will target 21 of the health areas which are part of the
Healthy People 2010. (Refer to the section on Health Areas to be
Addressed in this announcement.) Applicants are to design innovative
programs to address at least 1, but no more than 3, of these areas.
To learn more about the health disparities that exist among racial
and ethnic minorities in the United States today, read applicable
sections of Healthy People 2010. (See the section on Healthy People
2010 in this announcement for information on how to obtain a copy.)
Note: The Healthy People 2010 focus areas will also be listed in
the grant application kit.
Project Requirements
Each project funded under this demonstration program is to:
1. Address at least 1, but no more than 3, of the health problem
areas identified in the section on Health Areas to be Addressed.
2. Have an established coalition prior to submission of an
application that is capable of ensuring that the target population is
provided with a continuum of appropriate health care services and
support.
The coalition must have the capacity to:
Plan and coordinate services which reduce existing
sociocultural and/or linguistic barriers to health care; and
Carry out screening, outreach, and enabling services to
ensure that clients follow up with treatment and treatment referrals.
3. Include at least 3 discrete entities in the coalition. This must
include a minority community-based organization and a health care
facility.
A single, signed agreement between the applicant organization, the
health care facility, and the remaining coalition member(s) 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., chief executive officer, executive
director, president/chancellor, school principal).
Health Areas to be Addressed
In FY 2001, the Community Programs to Improve Minority Health
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:
[[Page 15486]]
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
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, Form PHS 5161-1 (Revised June 1999 and
approved by OMB under Control Number 0937-0189) must be used.
An applicant is 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 the 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 Applications
Applications will be screened upon receipt. Applications
that are not complete or that do not conform to or address the criteria
of the announcement will be returned without comment.
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 ties to the community
Demonstrated support and established linkage(s) in order to
conduct proposed model
Extent and documented outcome of past efforts/activities with
the target population
Factor 2: Objectives (15%)
Merit of the objectives
Relevance to the program purpose and stated problem
Attainability of the objectives 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 linkages
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
Proposed staff level of effort
Management experience of the applicant
Experience of each coalition member as it relates to its
defined roles and the project
Clear lines of authority and accountability among the
proposed staff within and between participating organizations
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
[[Page 15487]]
Financial Status Report in the format established by the OMH, in
accordance with provisions of the general regulations which apply under
``Monitoring and Reporting Program Performance,'' 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 Non-use 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 non-use 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 Office of
Minority Health's Acting 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).
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 may
be found on the Healthy People 2010 web 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 $70.00 for printed
version; $19.00 for CD-ROM). Another reference is the Healthy People
2000 Review 1998-99.
For a free copy of Healthy People 2010, contact: The National
Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), 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.
Definitions
For purposes of this grant announcement, the following definitions
are provided:
Community-Based Organizations--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.
Community Coalition--At least three (3) discrete organizations and
institutions in a given community. The organizations work together on
specific community concerns, and seek resolution of those concerns. A
formalized relationship documented by written memoranda of
understanding/agreement signed by individuals with the authority to
represent the organizations (e.g., chief executive officer, executive
director, president/chancellor, school principal) is required.
Health Care Facility--A private nonprofit or public facility that
has an established record for providing comprehensive health care
services to a targeted, 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.
Hispanic Serving Institutions--Any local education agency or
institution of higher education, respectively, whose student population
is more than 25 percent Hispanic (Executive Order 12900, February 22,
1994, Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans, Section 5).
Historically Black Colleges and Universities--Institutions
established prior to 1964, whose principal mission was, and is, the
education of black Americans. (National Center for Education
Statistics. Compendium: Historically Black Colleges and Universities:
1976-1994. September 1996. [NCES 96-902]).
Intervention--A combination of services designed to alter or modify
a condition or outcome, or to change behavior to reduce the likelihood
of a preventable health problem occurring or progressing further.
Services include:
--Clinical preventive services (e.g., blood pressure screening)
--Information dissemination
--Environmental modifications
--Educational activities
--Coordinated networking activities among health and human service
related programs (e.g., referral for child care services, job
placement, literacy programs)
Minority Community-Based Organizations--Private non-profit,
community-based organizations or local affiliates of national
organizations that have a governing board composed of 51 percent or
more racial/ethnic minority members and have a significant number of
minorities employed in key program positions.
[[Page 15488]]
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)
Risk Factor---The environmental and behavioral influences capable
of causing ill health with or without predisposition.
Sociocultural Barriers--Policies, practices, behaviors, and beliefs
that create obstacles to health care access and service delivery.
Examples of sociocultural barriers include:
Cultural differences between individuals and institutions
Cultural differences of beliefs about health and illness
Customs and lifestyles
Cultural differences in languages or nonverbal communication
styles
Tribal Colleges and Universities--Those institutions cited in
section 532 of the Equity in Education Land-Grants Status Act of 1994
(U.S.C. 301 note) or that qualify for funding under the Tribally
Controlled Community College Assistance Act of 1978, (25 U.S.C. 1801 et
seq.), and Navajo Community College, authorized in the Navajo Community
College Assistance Act of 1978, Public Law 95-471, Title II (25 U.S.C.
640a note).
Dated: March 8, 2001.
Nathan Stinson, Jr.,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Minority Health.
[FR Doc. 01-6714 Filed 3-16-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-17-P