National Children’s Study Response to the NAS Review of the Study’s Research Plan (August 2008)The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) panel identified a number of concerns and recommendations for realizing the Study’s optimum potential. The Study has carefully considered all of the identified concerns and the 33 recommendations in the NAS report and has responded accordingly. The Study is very pleased with the NAS review of the Research Plan and feels that it clearly met the objectives for performing it. Although, as noted in more detail in the Study’s response, some of the concerns and recommendations are either already being addressed or would require substantial additional resources to implement. Additionally, a number of the recommendations point to ways that the Study can be improved. We welcome these recommendations and where possible will be incorporating them into the Study. National Children’s Study Announces a Request for Proposals for a Biological and Environmental Sample Repository (July 2008)The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), National Institutes of Health (NIH), has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to award a contract to an organization to serve as a Repository for biospecimens and environmental samples for the National Children’s Study. The Repository will be responsible for receipt, secure storage, preparation, and distribution of all biological specimens that will be collected from participants periodically throughout the Study. The Repository will also store all environmental samples that will be collected from households and perhaps other locations periodically throughout the length of the Study. National Children’s Study Launches Newly Redesigned National Web Site (August 2008)In preparation for the start of recruitment, the National Children’s Study has launched a new national Web site with enhanced content, new sections, and an updated look and feel. The national Web site uses the same address as the old Web site and can be accessed at www.nationalchildrensstudy.gov. The Study redesigned its Web site to communicate new and updated information to its numerous key stakeholders, the largest of which will be its participants, and to better represent the Study’s progress to date. National Children’s Study Announces Request for Proposals for New Study Centers (March 2008)The National Children’s Study announces another major step toward the Study’s full implementation with the issuing of a new Request for Proposals (RFP) for additional Study Centers. The Study plans to establish another wave of new Study locations and Centers across the country. Fifty-eight previously identified Study locations that have not been included in past awards are included in this solicitation. National Children’s Study Prepares for Addition of 2008 Study Centers (January 2008)The National Children’s Study announces that it will move forward with plans to fund 10–15 additional Study Centers to manage Study operations in communities across the country. This increased pace of Study activity is possible because of the Congressional appropriation of funds for fiscal year 2008. With this funding, NICHD is planning to award contracts to expand the active locations (counties) in the Study and to increase the number of organizations that can serve as Study Centers. Stakeholder Telebriefing Transcript (October 2007)This telebriefing announces approximately 24 new Study Centers that will manage operations in approximately 30 locations of the National Children’s Study. It also provides an opportunity to hear the latest Study news firsthand, as well as to ask questions of Study leaders.
National Children’s Study Request for Proposals Announcement (March 2007)The National Children’s Study announces a Request for Proposals (RFP) to award contracts to interested organizations with the capability to serve as Study Centers. The Study plans to establish up to 20 new Study Centers in as many as 30 previously designated Study locations across the country. The National Children’s Study’s Progress: A Funding Update (March 2006)Although the FY 2007 Presidential budget did not include funds for the Study, the seven Vanguard Centers and the Coordinating Center will engage in start-up activities across the country. Congress authorized the Study through the Children’s Health Act of 2000 and has demonstrated ongoing interest in its being continued. While action on FY 2007 appropriation is in process, Study planners will continue to work with the Centers to establish infrastructure to support the Study, while simultaneously preparing for cessation of Study activities in 2007, as directed in the President’s budget. National Children’s Study Awards Seventh Vanguard Center (November 2005)The National Children’s Study welcomes South Dakota State University (SDSU), with the Children’s Medical Center of Cincinnati and the University of Cincinnati, to the National Children’s Study as the seventh Vanguard Center. SDSU will implement the Study in one location composed of four adjacent counties—Brookings County in South Dakota and Yellow Medicine, Pipestone, and Lincoln Counties in Minnesota. |