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[Federal Register: June 11, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 111)]
[Notices]
[Page 32102-32109]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr11jn07-51]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Community Partnerships To Eliminate Health Disparities
Demonstration Grant Program
AGENCY: Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the
Secretary, Office of Public Health and Science, Office of Minority
Health.
ACTION: Notice.
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Announcement Type: Competitive Initial Announcement of Availability
of Funds.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: Community
Partnerships to Eliminate Health Disparities Demonstration Grant
Program--93.137.
DATES: To receive consideration, applications must be received by the
Office of Grants Management, Office of Public Health and Science
(OPHS), Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) c/o WilDon
Solutions, Office of Grants Management Operations Center, Attention
Office of Minority Health Community Partnerships to Eliminate Health
Disparities Demonstration Grant Program, no later than 5 p.m. Eastern
Time on July 11, 2007. The application due date requirement in this
announcement supersedes the instructions in the OPHS-1 form.
ADDRESSES: Application kits may be obtained electronically by accessing
Grants.gov at http://www.grants.gov or GrantSolutions at http://www.GrantSolutions.gov.
To obtain a hard copy of the application kit,
contact WilDon Solutions at 1-888-203-6161. Applicants may fax a
written request to WilDon Solutions at (703) 351-1138 or e-mail the
request to OPHSgrantinfo@teamwildon.com. Applications must be prepared
using Form OPHS-1 ``Grant Application,'' which is included in the
application kit.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: WilDon Solutions, Office of Grants
Management Operations Center, 1515 Wilson Blvd., Third Floor Suite 310,
Arlington, VA 22209 at 1-888-203-6161, at e-mail
OPHSgrantinfo@teamwildon.com, or fax 703-351-1138.
SUMMARY: This announcement is made by the United States Department of
Health and Human Services (HHS or Department), Office of Minority
Health (OMH) located within the Office of Public Health and Science
(OPHS), and working in a ``One-Department'' approach collaboratively
with participating HHS agencies and programs (entities). As part of a
continuing HHS effort to improve the health and well being of racial
and ethnic minorities, the Department announces availability of FY 2007
funding for the Community Partnerships to Eliminate Health Disparities
Demonstration Grant Program (hereafter referred to as the Community
Partnerships Program). OMH is authorized to conduct this program under
42 U.S.C. 300u-6, section 1707 of the Public Health Service Act, as
amended. The mission of the OMH is to improve the health of racial and
ethnic minority populations through the development of policies and
programs that address disparities and gaps. OMH serves as the focal
point in the HHS for leadership, policy development and coordination,
service demonstrations, information exchange, coalition and partnership
building, and related efforts to address the health needs of racial and
ethnic minorities. OMH activities are implemented in an effort to
address Healthy People 2010, a comprehensive set of disease prevention
and health promotion objectives for the Nation to achieve over the
first decade of the 21st century (http://www.healthypeople.gov). This
funding announcement is also made in support of the OMH National
Partnership for Action initiative. The mission of the National
Partnership for Action is to work with individuals and organizations
across the country to create a Nation free of health disparities with
quality health outcomes for all by achieving the following five
objectives: increasing awareness of health disparities; strengthening
leadership at all levels for addressing health disparities; enhancing
patient-provider communication; improving cultural and linguistic
competency in delivering health services; and better coordinating and
utilizing research and outcome evaluations.
The Community Partnerships Program is designed to support
activities that address, and will subsequently eliminate, racial and
ethnic health disparities through community-level activities that
promote health, reduce risks, and increase access to and utilization of
preventive health care and treatment services. In FY 2007 the Community
Partnerships Program will support community-based programs that
implement activities through collaborative arrangements among minority
serving community-based organizations, health care facilities, and
other community entities. This program is intended to ascertain the
effectiveness of collaborative community-based interventions,
implemented at the grassroots level, on reducing health disparities
among racial and ethnic minority populations, and demonstrate the
effectiveness of the collaborative partnership approach in:
Developing, implementing and conducting demonstration
projects in high-risk minority communities 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;
Reducing social cultural and linguistic barriers to health
care; and
Implementing and/or adapting existing promising practices/
model programs for targeted minority communities.
The gap in life expectancy between Black and white Americans has
narrowed since 1985, but significant racial and ethnic disparities
remain across a wide range of health measures.\1\ The 2005 National
Healthcare Disparities Report found that disparities related to race,
ethnicity and socioeconomic status continue to pervade the American
health care system.\2\ The report also states that since the causes of
disparities and their prioritization vary across the country,
``successfully addressing disparities often requires focused community-
based projects that are supported by detailed local data.'' Eliminating
the disproportionate health care disparities is an HHS priority, and
the second goal of Healthy People 2010. The risk of many diseases and
health conditions are reduced through preventative actions. A culture
of wellness diminishes debilitating and costly health problems.
Individual health care is built on a foundation of responsibility for
personal wellness, which includes participating in regular physical
activity, eating a healthful diet, taking advantage of medical
screenings, and making healthy choices to avoid risky behaviors.
Background information on health issue areas in which significant
racial/ethnic disparities are documented may be found in Section VIII
of this announcement.
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\1\ Health, United States, 2006, National Center for Health
Statistics (NCHS), Hyattsville, MD, November 2006.
\2\ National Healthcare Disparities Report, U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services, Agency for Health Care Research and
Quality (AHRQ), Rockville, MD, December 2005.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Table of Contents
Section I. Funding Opportunity Description
1. Purpose
2. OMH Expectations
3. Applicant Project Results
4. Project Requirements
[[Page 32103]]
5. Health Areas To Be Addressed
Section II. Award Information
Section III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants
2. Cost Sharing or Matching
3. Other
Section IV. Application and Submission Information
1. Address To Request Application Kit
2. Content and Form of Application Submission
3. Submission Dates and Times
4. Intergovernmental Review
5. Funding Restrictions
Section V. Application Review Information
1. Criteria
2. Review and Selection Process
3. Anticipated Award Date
Section VI. Award Administration Information
1. Award Notices
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
3. Reporting Requirements
Section VII. Agency Contacts
Section VIII. Other Information
1. Background Information
2. Healthy People 2010
3. Definitions
Section I. Funding Opportunity Description
Authority: This program is authorized under 42 U.S.C. 300u-6,
section 1707 of the Public Health Service Act, as amended.
1. Purpose
The purpose of the Community Partnerships to End Health Disparities
Demonstration Grant Program is to improve the health status of targeted
minority populations (see definition of minority populations in Section
VIII.3 of this announcement) by eliminating disparities. Through this
FY 2007 announcement, the OMH is continuing to promote the utilization
of community partnerships with locally grounded, grassroots
organizations to develop and/or implement promising practices and model
programs targeting minority communities that focus on: Health education
promotion, disease risk reduction and increased access to and
utilization of preventive health care and treatment services. Support
will be provided to projects that emphasize prevention, one of the HHS
priorities. The risks of many diseases and health conditions are
reduced through preventative actions.
2. OMH Expectations
It is intended that the Community Partnerships Program will result
in:
Increased awareness of risk factors, and health promoting
behaviors;
Reduction in high-risk behaviors; and
Improved access to health care for hardly reached minority
populations.
3. Applicant Project Results
Applicants must identify 3 of the 5 following anticipated project
results that are consistent with the Community Partnerships Program
overall and OMH expectations:
Increasing awareness of health disparities;
Strengthening leadership at all levels for addressing
health disparities;
Improving patient-provider interaction;
Improving cultural and linguistic competency; and/or
Improving coordination and utilization of research and
outcome evaluations.
The outcomes of these projects will be used to develop other
national efforts to address health disparities among racial and ethnic
minority populations.
4. Project Requirements
Each applicant under the Community Partnership Program must:
Implement the project using a collaborative partnership
arrangement of community-based organizations that will coordinate
outreach, screening and education efforts and provide referrals and
follow-up for treatment. The partnership 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, education, and enabling
services to ensure that clients follow-up with treatment and treatment
referrals.
Identify problems such as gaps in services or issues, such
as access to health care, affecting the targeted health area to be
addressed by the proposed project.
Identify existing resources in the targeted health area
which will be linked to the proposed project.
Ensure that health promotion and education outreach
activities are linguistically, culturally and age appropriate.
Identify 3 of the 5 anticipated applicant project results
for the project (listed above).
Address at least 1, but no more than 3 of the identified
health areas (see Section 5 below).
5. Health Areas to be Addressed
The activities and interventions implemented under Community
Partnerships Program may target the racial and ethnic disparities in 1
but no more than 3 of the following ten (10) health areas:
Asthma (among children and adolescents aged 1 to 19)
Cancer
Diabetes
Heart Disease & Stroke
Hepatitis B
HIV
Immunization (adult and child)
Infant Mortality
Mental Health
Obesity & Overweight (among children and adolescents aged
1 to 19)
Section II. Award Information
Estimated Funds Available for Competition: $5,850,000 in FY 2007
(Grant awards are subject to the availability of funds.)
Anticipated Number of Awards: 23-29.
Range of Awards: $200,000 to $250,000 per year.
Anticipated Start Date: September 1, 2007.
Period of Performance: 3 Years (September 1, 2007 to August 31,
2010).
Budget Period Length: 12 months.
Type of Award: Grant.
Type of Application Accepted: New, Competing Continuation.
Section III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants
To qualify for funding, an applicant must:
Be a private nonprofit, community-based, minority-serving
organization which addresses health or human services (see
definitions); or be a public (local or tribal government) community-
based organization which addresses health or human services; and
Represent a collaborative partnership, consisting of at
least three discrete organizations, that includes:
--A community-based, minority-serving organization (applicant);
--A health care facility (e.g., community health center, migrant health
center, health department or medical center); and
--Another community entity (e.g., social service agency, business
entity, educational institution, or civic association).
The partnership must be documented through a single signed
Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the community-based minority
serving organization (applicant), the health care facility and the
other community entity. Each member of the partnership must have a
specific, significant role in conducting the proposed project. The MOA
must specify in detail the roles and resources that each entity will
bring to the project, and the terms of the agreement. The MOA must
cover the entire project period. The MOA must be signed by individuals
with the authority to obligate the organization (e.g.,
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president, chief executive officer, executive director).
Other entities that meet the definition of private non-profit
community-based, minority-serving organization and the above criteria
that are eligible to apply are:
Faith-based organizations.
Tribal organizations.
Local affiliates of national, state-wide, or regional
organizations.
National, state-wide, and regional organizations may not apply for
these grants. As the focus of the program is at the local, grassroots
level, OMH is looking for entities that have ties to the local
community. National, state-wide, and regional organizations operate on
a broader scale and are not as likely to effectively access the
targeted minority population in the specific, local neighborhood and
communities.
The organization submitting the application will:
Serve as the lead agency for the project, responsible for
its implementation and management; and
Serve as the fiscal agent for the Federal grant awarded.
2. Cost Sharing or Matching
Matching funds are not required for the Community Partnerships
Program.
3. Other
Organizations applying for funds under the Community Partnerships
Program must submit documentation of nonprofit status with their
applications. If documentation is not provided, the application will be
considered non-responsive and will not be entered into the review
process. The organization will be notified that the application did not
meet the submission requirements.
Any of the following serves as acceptable proof of nonprofit
status:
A reference to the applicant organization's listing in the
Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) most recent list of tax-exempt
organizations described in section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code.
A copy of a currently valid IRS tax exemption certificate.
A statement from a State taxing body, State Attorney
General, or other appropriate State official certifying that the
applicant organization has a nonprofit status and that none of the net
earnings accrue to any private shareholders or individuals.
A certified copy of the organization's certificate of
incorporation or similar document that clearly establishes nonprofit
status.
For local, nonprofit affiliates of state or national organizations,
a statement signed by the parent organization indicating that the
applicant organization is a local nonprofit affiliate must be provided
in addition to any one of the above acceptable proof of nonprofit
status.
If funding is requested in an amount greater than the ceiling of
the award range, the application will be considered non-responsive and
will not be entered into the review process. The application will be
returned with notification that it did not meet the submission
requirements.
Applications that are not complete or that do not conform to or
address the criteria of this announcement will be considered non-
responsive and will not be entered into the review process. The
application will be returned with notification that it did not meet the
submission requirements.
An organization may submit no more than one application to the
Community Partnerships Program. Organizations submitting more than one
proposal for this grant program will be deemed ineligible. The multiple
proposals from the same organization will be returned without comment.
Organizations are not eligible to receive funding from more than
one OMH grant program to carry out the same project and/or activities.
Section IV.Application and Submission Information
1. Address To Request Application Kit
Application kits for the Community Partnerships to Eliminate Health
Disparities Demonstration Grant Program may be obtained by accessing
Grants.gov at http://www.grants.gov or the GrantSolutions system at
http://www.grantsolutions.gov. To obtain a hard copy of the application
kit for this grant program, contact WilDon Solutions at 1-888-203-6161.
Applicants may also fax a written request to WilDon Solutions at (703)
351-1138 or e-mail the request to OPHSgrantinfo@teamwildon.com.
Applications must be prepared using Form OPHS-1, which can be obtained
at the Web sites noted above.
2. Content and Form of Application Submission
A. Application and Submission
Applicants must use Grant Application Form OPHS-1 and complete the
Face Page/Cover Page (SF 424), Checklist, and Budget Information Forms
for Non-Construction Programs (SF 424A). In addition, the application
must contain a project narrative. The project narrative (including
summary and appendices) is limited to 75 pages double-spaced. For those
organizations that previously received funding under the OMH-supported
Community Programs to Improve Minority Health, in addition to the
project narrative, you must attach a report on that program and its
results. This report is limited to 15 pages double-spaced, which do not
count against the project narrative page limitation.
The narrative description of the project must contain the
following, in the order presented:
Table of Contents.
Project Summary (Overview): Briefly describe key aspects
of the Background, Objectives, Program Plan, and Evaluation Plan. The
summary is limited to 3 pages.
Program Narrative
Background:
--Statement of Need: Identify which of the health issue areas (up to 3)
are being addressed. Describe and document, with data, demographic
information on the targeted local geographic area, and the significance
or prevalence of health problem(s) or issue(s) affecting the local
target minority group(s). Describe the local minority group(s) targeted
by the project (e.g., race/ethnicity, age, gender, educational level/
income).
--Experience: Describe the applicant organization's background, and the
background/experience of all coalition member organizations. Provide a
rationale for inclusion of the coalition member organizations in the
project. Describe any similar projects implemented to work with the
targeted population and the results of those projects. (For those
institutions that previously received funding under the OMH-supported
Community Programs to Improve Minority Health, you must attach a report
on that specific project and its results.)
--Discuss the applicant organization's experience in managing projects/
activities, especially those targeting the population to be served.
Indicate where the project will be located within the applicant
organization's structure and the reporting channels. Provide a chart of
the proposed project's organizational structure, showing who will
report to whom. Describe how the partner organizations will interface
with the applicant organization.
Objectives: Provide objectives stated in measurable terms
including baseline data, improvement targets, and time frames for
achievement for the three-year project period. Explain how the state
objectives relate to the expected results of the project
Program Plan: Provide a plan which clearly describes how
the project
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will be carried out. Describe specific activities and strategies
planned to achieve each objective. For each activity, describe how,
when, where, by whom, and for whom the activity will be conducted.
Include the role of each coalition member organization. Provide a
description of the proposed program staff, including resumes and job
descriptions for key staff, qualifications and responsibilities of each
staff member, and percent of time each will commit to the project.
Provide a description of duties for any proposed consultants. Describe
any products to be developed by the project. Provide a time line for
each year of the three-year project period.
Evaluation Plan: Delineate how program activities will be
evaluated. The evaluation plan must clearly articulate how the project
will be evaluated to determine if the intended results have been
achieved. The evaluation plan must describe, for all funded activities:
--Intended results (i.e., impacts and outcomes);
--how impacts and outcomes will be measured (i.e. what indicators or
measures will be used to monitor and measure progress toward achieving
project results);
--methods for collecting and analyzing data on measures;
--evaluation methods that will be used to assess impacts and outcomes;
--evaluation expertise that will be available for this purpose;
--how results are expected to contribute to the objectives of the
Program as a whole, and Healthy People 2010 goals and objectives; and
--the potential for replicating the evaluation methods for similar
efforts.
Discuss plans and describe the vehicle (e.g., manual, CD) that will
be used to document the steps which others may follow to replicate the
proposed project in similar communities. Describe plans for
disseminating project results to other communities.
Appendices: Include MOAs and other relevant information
in this section.
If required, attach a report on the project and outcomes supported
under the Community Programs to Improve Minority Health (does not count
against page limitation).
In addition to the project narrative, the application must contain
a detailed budget justification which includes a narrative explanation
and indicates the computation of expenditures for each year for which
grant support is requested. The budget request must include funds for
key project staff to attend an annual OMH grantee meeting. (The budget
justification does not count toward the page limitation.)
B. Data Universal Numbering System number (DUNS)
Applications must have a Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal
Numbering System number as the universal identifier when applying for
Federal grants. The D&B number can be obtained by calling (866) 705-
5711 or through the Web site at http://www.dnb.com/us/. 
3. Submission Dates and Times
To be considered for review, applications must be received by the
Office of Public Health and Science, Office of Grants Management, c/o
WilDon Solutions, by 5 p.m. Eastern Time on July 11, 2007. Applications
will be considered as meeting the deadline if they are received on or
before the deadline date. The application due date requirement in this
announcement supercedes the instructions in the OPHS-1 form.
Submission Mechanisms
The Office of Public Health and Science (OPHS) provides multiple
mechanisms for the submission of applications, as described in the
following sections. Applicants will receive notification via mail from
the OPHS Office of Grants Management confirming the receipt of
applications submitted using any of these mechanisms. Applications
submitted to the OPHS Office of Grants Management after the deadlines
described below will not be accepted for review. Applications which do
not conform to the requirements of the grant announcement will not be
accepted for review and will be returned to the applicant.
While applications are accepted in hard copy, the use of the
electronic application submission capabilities provided by the
Grants.gov and GrantSolutions.gov systems is encouraged. Applications
may only be submitted electronically via the electronic submission
mechanisms specified below. Any applications submitted via any other
means of electronic communication, including facsimile or electronic
mail, will not be accepted for review.
In order to apply for new funding opportunities which are open to
the public for competition, you may access the Grants.gov Web site
portal. All OPHS funding opportunities and application kits are made
available on Grants.gov. If your organization has/had a grantee
business relationship with a grant program serviced by the OPHS Office
of Grants Management, and you are applying as part of ongoing grantee
related activities, please access GrantSolutions.gov.
Electronic grant application submissions must be submitted no later
than 5 p.m. Eastern Time on the deadline date specified in the DATES
section of the announcement using one of the electronic submission
mechanisms specified below. All required hardcopy original signatures
and mail-in items must be received by the OPHS Office of Grants
Management, c/o WilDon Solutions, no later than 5 p.m. Eastern Time on
the next business day after the deadline date specified in the DATES
section of the announcement.
Applications will not be considered valid until all electronic
application components, hardcopy original signatures, and mail-in items
are received by the OPHS Office of Grants Management according to the
deadlines specified above. Application submissions that do not adhere
to the due date requirements will be considered late and will be deemed
ineligible. Applicants are encouraged to initiate electronic
applications early in the application development process, and to
submit early on the due date or before. This will aid in addressing any
problems with submissions prior to the application deadline.
Electronic Submissions via the Grants.gov Web site Portal
The Grants.gov Web site Portal provides organizations with the
ability to submit applications for OPHS grant opportunities.
Organizations must successfully complete the necessary registration
processes in order to submit an application. Information about this
system is available on the Grants.gov Web site, http://www.grants.gov.
In addition to electronically submitted materials, applicants may
be required to submit hard copy signatures for certain Program related
forms, or original materials as required by the announcement. It is
imperative that the applicant review both the grant announcement, as
well as the application guidance provided within the Grants.gov
application package, to determine such requirements. Any required hard
copy materials, or documents that require a signature, must be
submitted separately via mail to the OPHS Office of Grants Management,
c/o WilDon Solutions, and if required, must contain the original
signature of an individual authorized to act for the applicant agency
and the obligations imposed by the terms and conditions of the grant
award. When submitting the
[[Page 32106]]
required forms, do not send the entire application. Complete hard copy
applications submitted after the electronic submission will not be
considered for review.
Electronic applications submitted via the Grants.gov Web site
Portal must contain all completed online forms required by the
application kit, the Program Narrative, Budget Narrative and any
appendices or exhibits. All required mail-in items must received by the
due date requirements specified above. Mail-In items may only include
publications, resumes, or organizational documentation. When submitting
the required forms, do not send the entire application. Complete hard
copy applications submitted after the electronic submission will not be
considered for review.
Upon completion of a successful electronic application submission
via the Grants.gov Web site Portal, the applicant will be provided with
a confirmation page from Grants.gov indicating the date and time
(Eastern Time) of the electronic application submission, as well as the
Grants.gov Receipt Number. It is critical that the applicant print and
retain this confirmation for their records, as well as a copy of the
entire application package.
All applications submitted via the Grants.gov Web site Portal will
be validated by Grants.gov. Any applications deemed ``Invalid'' by the
Grants.gov Web site Portal will not be transferred to the
GrantSolutions system, and OPHS has no responsibility for any
application that is not validated and transferred to OPHS from the
Grants.gov Web site Portal. Grants.gov will notify the applicant
regarding the application validation status. Once the application is
successfully validated by the Grants.gov Web site Portal, applicants
should immediately mail all required hard copy materials to the OPHS
Office of Grants Management, c/o WilDon Solutions, to be received by
the deadlines specified above. It is critical that the applicant
clearly identify the Organization name and Grants.gov Application
Receipt Number on all hard copy materials.
Once the application is validated by Grants.gov, it will be
electronically transferred to the GrantSolutions system for processing.
Upon receipt of both the electronic application from the Grants.gov Web
site Portal, and the required hardcopy mail-in items, applicants will
receive notification via mail from the OPHS Office of Grants Management
confirming the receipt of the application submitted using the
Grants.gov Web site Portal.
Applicants should contact Grants.gov regarding any questions or
concerns regarding the electronic application process conducted through
the Grants.gov Web site Portal.
Electronic Submissions via the GrantSolutions System
OPHS is a managing partner of the GrantSolutions.gov system.
GrantSolutions is a full life-cycle grants management system managed by
the Administration for Children and Families, Department of Health and
Human Services (HHS), and is designated by the Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) as one of the three Government-wide grants management
systems under the Grants Management Line of Business initiative
(GMLoB). OPHS uses GrantSolutions for the electronic processing of all
grant applications, as well as the electronic management of its entire
Grant portfolio.
When submitting applications via the GrantSolutions system,
applicants are required to submit a hard copy of the application face
page (Standard Form 424) with the original signature of an individual
authorized to act for the applicant agency and assume the obligations
imposed by the terms and conditions of the grant award. If required,
applicants will also need to submit a hard copy of the Standard Form
LLL and/or certain Program related forms (e.g., Program Certifications)
with the original signature of an individual authorized to act for the
applicant agency. When submitting the required forms, do not send the
entire application. Complete hard copy applications submitted after the
electronic submission will not be considered for review.
Electronic applications submitted via the GrantSolutions system
must contain all completed online forms required by the application
kit, the Program Narrative, Budget Narrative and any appendices or
exhibits. The applicant may identify specific mail-in items to be sent
to the Office of Grants Management separate from the electronic
submission; however these mail-in items must be entered on the
GrantSolutions Application Checklist at the time of electronic
submission, and must be received by the due date requirements specified
above. Mail-In items may only include publications, resumes, or
organizational documentation. When submitting the required forms, do
not send the entire application. Complete hard copy applications
submitted after the electronic submission will not be considered for
review.
Upon completion of a successful electronic application submission,
the GrantSolutions system will provide the applicant with a
confirmation page indicating the date and time (Eastern Time) of the
electronic application submission. This confirmation page will also
provide a listing of all items that constitute the final application
submission including all electronic application components, required
hardcopy original signatures, and mail-in items, as well as the mailing
address of the OPHS Office of Grants Management where all required hard
copy materials must be submitted.
As items are received by the OPHS Office of Grants Management, the
electronic application status will be updated to reflect the receipt of
mail-in items. It is recommended that the applicant monitor the status
of their application in the GrantSolutions system to ensure that all
signatures and mail-in items are received.
Mailed or Hand-Delivered Hard Copy Applications
Applicants who submit applications in hard copy (via mail or hand-
delivered) are required to submit an original and two copies of the
application. The original application must be signed by an individual
authorized to act for the applicant agency or organization and to
assume for the organization the obligations imposed by the terms and
conditions of the grant award. Mailed or hand-delivered applications
will be considered as meeting the deadline if they are received by the
OPHS Office of Grant Management, c/o WilDon Solutions, on or before 5
p.m. Eastern Time on the deadline date specified in the DATES section
of the announcement. The application deadline date requirement
specified in this announcement supersedes the instructions in the OPHS-
1. Applications that do not meet the deadline will be returned to the
applicant unread.
4. Intergovernmental Review
The Community Partnerships Program is subject to requirements of
Executive Order 12372 which allows States the options of setting up a
system for reviewing applications from within their States for
assistance under certain Federal programs. The application kits
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. The SPOC list is also
[[Page 32107]]
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html. Applicants (other than
federally recognized Indian tribes) should contact their SPOC as early
as possible to alert them to the prospective applications and receive
any necessary instructions on the State process. The due date for State
process recommendations is 60 days after the application deadlines
established by the OPHS 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.)
The Community Partnerships Program is subject to Public Health
Systems Reporting Requirements. Under these requirements, community-
based non-governmental applicants must prepare and submit a Public
Health System Impact Statement (PHSIS). The PHSIS is intended to
provide information to State and local officials to keep them apprised
of proposed health services grant applications submitted by community-
based organizations within their jurisdictions.
Community-based non-governmental 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 or 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 letter
forwarding the PHSIS to these authorities must be contained in the
application materials submitted to the OPHS.
5. Funding Restrictions
Budget Request: If funding is requested in an amount greater than
the ceiling of the award range, the application will be considered non-
responsive and will not be entered into the review process. The
application will be returned with notification that it did not meet the
submission requirements.
Grants funds may be used to cover costs of:
Personnel.
Consultants.
Equipment.
Supplies (including screening and outreach supplies).
Grant-related travel (domestic only), including attendance
at an annual OMH grantee meeting.
Other grant-related costs.
Grants funds may not be used for:
Building alterations or renovations.
Construction.
Fund raising activities.
Job training.
Medical care, treatment or therapy.
Political education and lobbying.
Research studies involving human subjects.
Vocational rehabilitation.
Guidance for completing the budget can be found in the Program
Guidelines, which are included with the complete application kit.
Section V. Application Review Information
1. Criteria
The technical review of the Community Partnerships Program
applications will consider the following four generic factors listed,
in descending order of weight.
A. Factor 1: Program Plan (40%)
--Appropriateness and merit of proposed approach and specific
activities for each objective.
--Logic and sequencing of the planned approaches as they relate to the
statement of need and to the objectives.
--Soundness of the established coalition and member roles in the
program.
--Qualifications and appropriateness of proposed staff or requirements
for ``to be hired'' staff and consultants.
--Proposed staff level of effort.
--Appropriateness of defined roles including staff reporting channels
and that of any proposed consultants.
B. Factor 2: Evaluation Plan (25%)
--The degree to which intended results are appropriate for the
objectives of the Community Partnerships Program overall, stated
objectives of the proposed project and proposed activities.
--Appropriateness of the proposed methods for data collection
(including demographic data to be collected on project participants),
analysis and reporting.
--Suitability of process, outcome, and impact measures.
--Clarity of the intent and plans to assess and document progress
towards achieving objectives, planned activities, and intended
outcomes.
--Potential for the proposed project to impact the health status of the
target population(s) relative to the health areas addressed.
--Soundness of the plan to document the project for replicability in
similar communities.
--Soundness of the plan to disseminate project results.
C. Factor 3: Background (20%)
--Demonstrated knowledge of the problem at the local level.
--Significance and prevalence of targeted health issues in the proposed
community and target population(s).
--Extent to which the applicant demonstrates access to the target
community(ies), and whether it is well positioned and accepted within
the community(ies) to be served.
--Extent and documented outcome of past efforts and activities with the
target population.
--Applicant's capability to manage and evaluate the project as
determined by:
The applicant organization's experience in managing
project/activities involving the target population.
The applicant's organizational structure and proposed
project organizational structure.
Clear lines of authority among and between coalition
member organizations.
--If applicable, the extent and documented outcome(s) of activities
conducted under the OMH-supported Community Programs to Improve
Minority Health included in the required progress report.
D. Factor 4: Objectives (15%)
--Merit of the objectives.
--Relevance to Healthy People 2010 and National Partnership for Action
objectives.
--Relevance to the Community Partnerships Program purpose and
expectations, and to the stated problem to be addressed by the proposed
project.
--Degree to which the objectives are stated in measurable terms.
--Attainability of the objectives in the stated time frames.
2. Review and Selection Process
Accepted Community Partnerships Program applications will be
reviewed for technical merit in accordance with PHS policies.
Applications will be evaluated by an Objective Review Committee (ORC).
Committee members are chosen for their expertise in minority health and
health disparities, and their understanding of the unique health
problems and related issues confronted by the racial and ethnic
minority populations in the United States. Funding decisions will be
determined by the Deputy Assistant
[[Page 32108]]
Secretary for Minority Health who will take under consideration:
The recommendations and ratings of the ORC.
Geographic distribution of applicants.
A balanced distribution of populations to be served.
The health areas addressed.
3. Anticipated Award Date
September 1, 2007.
Section VI. Award Administration Information
1. Award Notices
Successful applicants will receive a notification letter from the
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Minority Health and a Notice of Grant
Award (NGA), signed by the OPHS Grants Management Officer. The NGA
shall be the only binding, authorizing document between the recipient
and the Office of Minority Health. Unsuccessful applicants will receive
notification from OPHS.
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
In accepting this award, the grantee stipulates that the award and
any activities thereunder are subject to all provisions of 45 CFR parts
74 and 92, currently in effect or implemented during the period of the
grant.
The DHHS Appropriations Act requires that, when issuing statements,
press releases, requests for proposals, bid solicitations, and other
documents describing projects or programs funded in whole or in part
with Federal money, all grantees shall clearly state the percentage and
dollar amount of the total costs of the program or project which will
be financed with Federal money and the percentage and dollar amount of
the total costs of the project or program that will be financed by non-
governmental sources.
3. Reporting Requirements
A successful applicant under this notice will submit: (1) Semi-
annual 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 ``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.
Uniform Data Set: The Uniform Data Set (UDS) is a Web-based system
used by OMH grantees to electronically report progress data to OMH. It
allows OMH to more clearly and systematically link grant activities to
OMH-wide goals and objectives, and document programming impacts and
results. All OMH grantees are required to report program information
via the UDS (http://www.dsgonline.com/omh/uds ). Training will be
provided to all new grantees on the use of the UDS system during the
annual grantee meeting.
Grantees will be informed of the progress report due dates and
means of submission. Instructions and report format will be provided
prior to the required due date. The Annual Financial Status Report is
due no later than 90 days after the close of each budget period. The
final progress report and Financial Status Report are due 90 days after
the end of the project period. Instructions and due dates will be
provided prior to required submission.
Section VII. Agency Contacts
For application kits, submission of applications, and information
on budget and business aspects of the application, please contact:
WilDon Solutions, Office of Grants Management Operations Center, 1515
Wilson Blvd., Third Floor Suite 310, Arlington, VA 22209 at 1-888-203-
6161, e-mail OPHSgrantinfo@teamwildon.com, or fax 703-351-1138.
For questions related to the Community Programs to Improve Minority
Health or assistance in preparing a grant proposal, contact Ms.
Sonsiere Cobb-Souza, Acting Director, Division of Program Operations,
Office of Minority Health, Tower Building, Suite 600, 1101 Wootton
Parkway, Rockville, MD 20852. Ms. Cobb-Souza can be reached by
telephone at (240) 453-8444; or by e-mail at
sonsiere.cobb-souza@hhs.gov.
For additional technical assistance, contact the OMH Regional
Minority Health Consultant for your region listed in your grant
application kit.
For health information, call the OMH Resource Center (OMHRC) at 1-
800-444-6472.
Section VIII. Other Information
1. Background Information
Many aspects of health in the U.S. have improved; however,
significant racial and ethnic disparities remain. The prevalence of
overweight in 2003-04 was significantly higher among Hispanic and Black
children than white children, and approximately 45 percent of Black and
37 percent of Hispanic adults were obese compared to 30 percent of
whites.\3\ American Indians/Alaska Natives are 2.2 times as likely to
have diabetes than whites, and Blacks are 1.8 times as likely to have
the disease.\4\ The rates of hepatitis B have declined among all racial
ethnic groups; however, rates were highest among non-Hispanic Blacks in
2004.\5\ According to data from the CDC, 50 percent of adults and
adolescents diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in 2004 were Black (13 percent of
population), 18 percent were Hispanic (12.5 percent of population), and
1 percent were American Indian/Alaska Native (.7 percent of
population). In 2005, 18.1 percent of Native American/Alaska Natives
reported frequent mental distress (14 or more mentally unhealthy days)
compared to 9.6 percent of whites.\6\ Higher percentages of Blacks
(11.8) and Hispanics (10.2) also reported frequent mental distress than
whites. American Indians/Alaska Natives also had the highest prevalence
of asthma in 2002, when 11.6 percent of that population reported having
asthma compared to 7.6 percent of whites.\7\
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\3\ 2004 Fact Sheet--Obesity Still a Major Problem, New Data
Show, NCHS, Hyattsville, MD 2006.
\4\ American Diabetes Association, Web site, November 27, 2006
http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-statistics.jsp.
\5\ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Hepatitis
Surveillance Report No. 61. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
2006.
\6\ Health Related Quality of Life Survey, CDC, National Center
for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, 2006.
\7\ Asthma Prevalence and Control Characteristics by Race/
Ethnicity--United States, 2002, MMWR Weekly, February 27, 2004, CDC.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
In 2002, American Indian/Alaska Native women had the lowest cancer
incidence rate, yet the third highest cancer death rate. Breast cancer
was the leading cause of cancer death among Hispanic women. Black men
and women had the highest cancer death rates for all cancers among all
races.\8\ Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women
in the U.S.; the 2002 age-adjusted death rates for diseases of the
heart were 30 percent higher among Blacks than whites. The mortality
rates for infants of Black (13.6), American Indian/Alaska Native (8.7),
and Puerto Rican (8.2) mothers all exceeded the rate for infants of
white mothers (5.7) in 2003.\9\
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\8\ United States Cancer Statistics: 1999-2002 Incidence and
Mortality Web-based Report, U.S. Cancer Statistics Working Group,
CDC and Naitonal Cancer Institute, Atlanta, GA 2005.
\9\ Health United States, 2006.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Healthy People 2010
The Public Health Service (PHS) is committed to achieving the
health promoting 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
[[Page 32109]]
quality of life. More information may be found on the Healthy People
2010 Web site: http://www.healthypeople.gov/ and copies of the
documents may be downloaded. Copies of the Healthy People 2010: Volumes
I and II can be purchased by calling (202) 512-1800 (cost $70 for
printed version; $20 for CD-ROM). Another reference is the Healthy
People 2010 Final Review-2001.
For one free copy of the Healthy People 2010, contact: The National
Center for Health Statistics, Division of Data Services, 3311 Toledo
Road, Hyattsville, MD 20782, or by telephone at (301) 458-4636. Ask for
HHS Publication No. (PHS) 99-1256. This document may also be downloaded
from: http://www.healthypeople.gov.
3. Definitions
For purposes of this announcement, the following definitions apply:
Community-Based Organizations--Private, nonprofit organizations and
public organizations (local or tribal governments) that are
representative of communities or significant segments of communities
where the control and decisionmaking powers are located at the
community level.
Community-Based Minority-Serving Organization--A community-based
organization that has a demonstrated expertise and experience in
serving racial/ethnic minority populations (See definition of Minority
Populations below.)
Community Partnership--At least 3 discrete organizations and
institutions in a given community which work together on specific
community concerns, and seek resolution of those concerns through
formalized relationship documented by written memoranda of
understanding/agreement signed by individuals with the authority to
obligate the organizations (e.g., chief executive officer, executive
director, president/chancellor) 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.
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 prevention services (e.g., blood pressure
screening);
information dissemination;
environmental modifications;
educational activities; and
coordinated networking activities among health and human
service related programs (e.g., referral for child care services, job
placement, literacy programs).
Memorandum of Agreement (MOA)--A single document signed by
authorized representatives of each community partnership member
organization which details the roles and resources each entity will
provide for the project and the terms of the agreement (must cover the
entire project period).
Minority Populations--American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian,
Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, and Native Hawaiian or
Other Pacific Islander. (42 U.S.C. 300u-6, section 1707 of the Public
Health Service Act, as amended.)
Nonprofit Organizations--Corporations or associations, no part of
whose net earnings may lawfully inure to the benefit of any private
shareholder or individual. Proof of nonprofit status must be submitted
by private nonprofit organizations with the application or, if
previously filed with PHS, the applicant must state where and when the
proof was submitted. (See III, 3. Other, for acceptable evidence of
nonprofit status.)
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.
Dated: June 5, 2007.
Garth N. Graham,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Minority Health.
[FR Doc. 07-2894 Filed 6-08-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4150-29-P