Project activities should include children and youth specific community services, summer programs, camps, before and after school programs and school connected activities. Projects fostering native language; the imparting of traditional cultural values and practices; parent and family involvement; and intergenerational and peer mentoring are encouraged. Projects directed at children with special health care needs, special educational needs, detained and incarcerated youth, and aftercare for youth in residential treatment programs are also encouraged. Projects that focus on children and youth abuse/neglect and sexual abuse; their awareness, prevention, and treatment are also appropriate. The assembling, training and using of interdisciplinary teams for the assessment of children and youth including assessment and management or case management, or the risk stratification of children and youth for disease and disability (injury) prevention, health maintenance improved socialization, and maximization of their learning is encouraged. The education of children and youth, and their communities and families, is part of the IHS effort to promote awareness of the particular needs of children and youth. Therefore, proposed projects may plan, execute and demonstrate strategies that incorporate pamphlets, books and workbooks, posters, modules or training sessions, audio, video, educational television network programming, or other media presentations aimed either at the consumer and/or the support of youth initiatives. Projects designed to change health behaviors by modifying the environment and/or implementing/enforcing policies and procedures are also encouraged.

Projects will be funded in one of two categories. Community capacity varies and projects themselves can differ in size and complexity. Funds will be made available for small projects for $5,000 - $15,000, and larger projects for $50,000 - $75,000 per year.

NOTE: For any current grantees under separate awards that wish to apply for this funding period, July 17, 2006 - July 16, 2009, grantee must not have overlapping award dates. If a funding date overlaps, grantee must terminate from current awards or have the newly funded grant amount reduced to avoid dual funding. This announcement applies to new and existing applicants. For additional information or clarification, please contact Ms. Michelle Bulls, Grants Policy Officer at (301) 443-6528.

II. Award Information
TYPE OF AWARDS: Cooperative Agreement (CA).
ESTIMATED FUNDS AVAILABLE: The total amount identified for fiscal year (FY) 2006 is $650,000. The awards are for 36 months in duration. The average award for Category I is approximately $10,000. The average award for Category II is approximately $65,000. In fiscal year 2007 an estimated, $650,000 is available for continuation awards based on progress and availability of funds.

Categories of Cooperative Agreement (CA) covered under this announcement:

MAXIMUM FUNDING LEVEL: The maximum funding level includes both direct and indirect costs. Application budgets which exceed the maximum funding level or project period identified for a project Category will not be reviewed. Applicants seeking funding in more than one Category will not be reviewed.

PROGRAMMATIC INVOLVEMENT: The cooperative agreement will have substantial oversight to ensure best practices and high quality performance in sustaining capacity of the CYP.

SUBSTANTIAL INVOLVEMENT DESCRIPTION FOR COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT ACTIVITIES FOR Category I - SMALL PROJECTS:
The CA Category I - Small awardee (Tribe or Tribal/Urban/NonProfit Indian organization) will be responsible for activities listed under A. 1-10. IHS will be responsible for activities listed under B. 1-4. A contractor will be hired by MCH to assist in the oversight in Category - I. Oversight includes assurances to promote best practices and high quality performance in sustaining the Children and Youth Grant Programs. The contractor will be responsible in reporting to the IHS CYP project officer on the progress and issues of the cooperative agreement awardee.

A. COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT AWARDEE ACTIVITIES FOR Category I - SMALL PROJECTS:
1. Provide a coordinator who has the authority, responsibility, and expertise to plan, implement, and evaluate the project. Position may be part-time or split duties.
2. Where available, projects should demonstrate coordination with other children and youth services in the recipients Tribal or urban organization, Tribal health department, Tribal Epidemiology Centers (TEC) and/or community-based program in order to maximize opportunities and share resources.
3. Be aware of where to find data sources including: health, child welfare, educational, and psycho-social data descriptive of the children and youth population being served, including those at greatest risk and need.
4. Develop a work plan based on community need, health data and prioritized for prevention and wellness. This would include specific process objectives and action steps to accomplish each.
5. Implement project to reduce risk and promote well being.
6. Implement project to gain visibility and further collaboration in the community.
7. Evaluate the effect of the project on the recipients, key staff and other community stakeholder(s). Evaluation will align with two or more “Healthy People 2010

B. INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT ACTIVITIES FOR Category I - SMALL PROJECTS:
1. The IHS Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Coordinator or designee will serve as project officer for the CYP.
2. The MCH program will provide consultation and technical assistance. Technical assistance also includes assistance in program implementation, marketing, evaluation, reporting and sharing with other awardees.
3. An IHS contractor (designated by the MCH program) will be responsible for technical assistance oversight, monitoring reporting of projects, conference calls, a Listserv and site visits. The IHS contractor serves as a technical liaison to the IHS MCH program and the CYP Cooperative Agreement Awardee.
4. The IHS and the contractor will coordinate a mid-project (Year II) training workshop for the project coordinators to share lessons learned, successes, new community strategies in children and youth health promotion and best practices.

SUBSTANTIAL INVOLVEMENT DESCRIPTION FOR COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT ACTIVITIES FOR Category II - LARGE PROJECT: The CA Category II - Large Project awardee (Tribe or Tribal/Urban/NonProfit Indian organization) will be responsible for activities listed under A 1-10. IHS will be responsible for activities listed under B1-4. A contractor will be hired by MCH to assist in the oversight in Category II. Oversight includes assurances to promote best practices and high quality performance in sustaining the CYP. The contractor will be responsible for reporting to the IHS CYP project officer on the progress and issues of the cooperative agreement awardee.

A. COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT AWARDEE ACTIVITIES FOR Category II - LARGE PROJECTS:
1. Where available, coordinate with the Child Health Program in the recipient’s urban organization, Tribal health department, Tribal Epidemiology Center (TEC) and or community-based program to enhance opportunities for the CYP to collaborate with other Tribal public health or community programs.
2. Provide a coordinator who has the authority, responsibility, and expertise to plan, implement and evaluate the project.
3. Review health, child welfare, educational, and/or psycho-social data descriptive of children and youth population being served, including those at greatest risk and need. Monitor program data internally or demonstrate collaboration on data monitoring for purposes of program evaluation.
4. Develop a work plan based on community need, health data and prioritized for prevention and wellness. This would include specific process objectives and action steps to accomplish each. A core set of indicators would be jointly agreed upon by the project and the IHS project officer.
5. Develop, implement and evaluate a proven or promising project to reduce risk and promote well being in children and youth target population. Any planning phase should be near completion or already completed by the start of Year I.
6. Implement project with intent to gain visibility and further collaboration in the community through reporting to a health board or child advisory committee.
7. Evaluate the effect of the project on the recipients, key staff and other children and youth community stakeholders. Evaluation will align with two or more “Healthy People 2010

2. Cost Sharing or Matching - The Children and Youth Projects does not require matching funds or cost sharing.

3. Other Requirements
The following documentation is required (if applicable):
A. Tribal Resolution - A resolution of the Indian Tribe served by the project must accompany the application submission. This can be attached to the electronic application. An Indian Tribe that is proposing a project affecting another Indian Tribe must include resolutions from all affected Tribes to be served. Applications by Tribal organizations will not require a specific Tribal resolution if the current Tribal resolution(s) under which they operate would encompass the proposed grant activities. Draft resolutions are acceptable in lieu of an official resolution. However, an official signed Tribal resolution must be received by the Division of Grants Operations prior to the beginning of the Application Review (June 26, 2006). If an official signed resolution is not received by June 26, 2006, the application will be considered incomplete, ineligible for review, and returned to the applicant without consideration. Applicants submitting additional documentation after the initial application submission are required to ensure the information was received by the IHS by obtaining documentation confirming delivery (i.e. FedEx tracking, postal return receipt, etc.).
B. Nonprofit organizations must submit a copy of the 501(c) (3) Certificate.
C. Ineligible applications include requesting for water, sanitation, and waste management; tuition, fees, or stipends for certification or training of staff to provide direct services, the pre-planning, design, and planning of construction for facilities and those seeking funding in two categories.

IV. Application and Submission Information
1. Address to Request Application Package HHS-2006-IHS-CY1-0001.
Application package (HHS-2006-IHS-CY1-0001) may be found in Grants.gov. Information regarding the Letter of Intent and the electronic application process may be obtained from:
Program Contact Grants Contact
Ms. Judith Thierry, D.O., M.P.H. Ms. Martha Redhouse
Office of Clinical and Preventive Division of Grants Operations
Services Indian Health Service
Indian Health Service 801 Thompson Avenue, TMP 360
801 Thompson Avenue, Suite 300 Rockville, Maryland 20852
Rockville, Maryland 20852 (301) 443-5204
(301) 443-5070 Fax: (301) 443-9602
Fax: (301) 594-6213

The entire application kit is also available online at: http://www.ihs.gov/MedicalPrograms/MCH/MC.asp and www.grants.gov

2. Content and Form of Application Submission if prior approval was obtained for paper submission:

3. Submission Dates and Times
Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov by close of business Thursday May 25, 2006. If technical issues arise and the applicant is unable to successfully complete the electronic application process, the applicant must contact Grants Policy staff fifteen days prior to the application deadline and advise them of the difficulties you are having submitting your application on line. The Grants Policy staff will determine whether you may submit a paper application (original and 2 copies). The grantee must obtain prior approval, in writing, from the Grants Policy staff allowing the paper submission. Otherwise, applications not submitted through Grants.gov may be returned to the applicant and it will not be considered for funding.

As appropriate, paper applications (original and 2 copies) are due by Thursday May 25, 2006. Paper applications shall be considered as meeting the deadline if received by May 25, 2006 or postmarked on or before the deadline date. Applicants should request a legibly dated U.S. Postal Service postmark or obtain a legibly dated receipt from a commercial carrier or U.S. Postal Service. Private metered postmarks will not be acceptable as proof of timely mailing and will not be considered for funding.

Late applications will be returned to the applicant without review or consideration.

A hard copy and/or faxed Letter of Intent must be received on or before Friday, April 14, 2006. This should be no more than 2 pages. The fax number is (301) 594-6213 ATTN: Judith Thierry, MCH Program Office. Applications must be received on or before Thursday May 25, 2006. The anticipated start date of cooperative agreement is July 17, 2006.

State whether Category I - Small Project or Category II - Large Project funding is being sought. Describe the proposed project, including health topics or issues to be addressed. A partial list includes: juvenile justice; nutrition, obesity and fitness; child abuse and child sexual abuse; drugs, alcohol and tobacco; school success; mental health; school connected health; children with special health care needs; teen pregnancy and/or injury prevention. A Letter of Intent is a non binding, but mandatory request for information that will assist in planning both the review and post award phase. Applicants will be notified by fax that their Letter of Intent has been received, as it is received.

Hand Delivered Proposals: Hand delivered proposals will be accepted from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday. Applications will be considered to meet the deadline if they are received on or before the deadline, with hand-carried applications received by close of business 5:00 p.m. For mailed applications, a dated, legible receipt from a commercial carrier or the U.S. Postal Service will be accepted in lieu of a postmark. Private metered postmarks will not be accepted as proof of timely mailing. Late applications will not be accepted for processing and will be returned to the applicant without further consideration for funding. Applicants are cautioned that express/overnight mail services do not always deliver as agreed. IHS will not accommodate transmission of applications by FAX or E-MAIL.

Late application will not be accepted for processing will be returned to the applicant and will not be considered for funding.

Extension of deadlines: IHS may extend application deadlines when circumstances such as acts of God (floods, hurricanes, etc.) occur, or when there are widespread disruptions of mail service, or in other rare cases. Determination to extend or waive deadline requirements rests with the Grants Management Officer, Division of Grants Operations.

4. Intergovernmental Review
Executive Order 12372 requiring intergovernmental review is not applicable to this program.

5. Funding Restriction
A. Pre-award costs are allowable at grantees own risk. Prior approval must be obtained from the Program Official.
B. The available funds are inclusive of direct and indirect costs.
C. Only one cooperative agreement will be awarded per applicant.
D. Ineligible Project Activities

Please note the following:

Applications submitted electronically must also be registered with the Central Contractor Registry (CCR). A DUNS number is required before CCR registration can be completed. Many organizations may already have a DUNS number. Please use the number listed above to investigate whether or not your organization has a DUNS number. Registration with the CCR is free of charge.

Applicants may register by calling (888) 227-2423. Applications must also be registered with the CCR to submit electronically. Please review and complete the CCR “Registration Worksheet” located in the appendix of the CYP application kit or on http://www.Grants.gov/CCRRegister.

More detailed information regarding these registration processes can be found at http://www.Grants.gov website.

V. Application Review Information
The instructions for preparing the application narrative also constitute the evaluation criteria for reviewing and scoring the application. Weights assigned to each section are noted in parentheses. The 14-page narrative should include only the first year of activities; information for multi-year projects should be included as an appendix. See “Multi-year Project Requirements” at the end of this section for more information. The narrative section should be written in a manner that is clear to outside reviewers unfamiliar with prior related activities of the applicant. It should be well organized, succinct, and contain all information necessary for reviewers to understand the project fully.

1. Criteria
INTRODUCTION AND NEED FOR ASSISTANCE. (20 points)
A. Describe and define the target population at the program location(s) (i.e. Tribal population and Tribal census tract data (when available); number of children and/or youth; data from previous community needs assessment; data from technical assistance site visit(s); school, recreation, after school or juvenile justice sources). Information sources must be appropriately identified.
B. Describe the geographic location of the proposed project including any geographic barriers to the health care users in the area to be served.
C. Describe the Tribe's/Tribal organization's current health operation. Include what programs and services are currently provided (i.e., federally funded, State funded, etc.), Include information regarding whether the Tribe/Tribal organization has a health department and/or health board and how long it has been operating. Provide similar information on the educational and juvenile justice organization programs and services.
D. Describe the existing resources and services available, including the maintenance of Native healing systems and intergenerational activities (i.e. mentoring, language, traditional teaching, storytelling, where appropriate, which are related to the specific program/service the applicant is proposing to provide. Supply the name, address, and phone number of a contact person for each.
E. Identify all current and previous children and youth activities funded, dates of funding, and summary of project accomplishments. State how previous funds facilitated the progression of health or wellness development relative to the current proposed project. (Copies of reports will not be accepted.)
F. State whether the project is a Category I or II and the size of the children and youth target group. Category I has no minimum and Category II projects must serve a minimum of 25 children annually.
G. Explain the reason for your proposed project by identifying specific needs of the target population and gaps or weaknesses in services or infrastructure that will be addressed by the proposed project. Explain how these gaps/weaknesses were discovered. Describe past efforts, collaborations with State/county programs and availability of program funding from Federal/non-Federal sources.
H. Summarize the applicable national, IHS, and/or State standards, laws and regulations, Tribal codes, such as those in the arenas of safety, school attendance, and child welfare.

PROJECT OBJECTIVE(S), WORK PLAN AND CONSULTANTS. (40 points)
A. Identify the proposed project objective(s) addressing the following:

PROJECT EVALUATION. (15 points)
Describe the methods for evaluating the project activities. Each proposed project objective should have an evaluation component and the evaluation activities should appear on the work plan. At a minimum, projects should describe plans to collect/summarize process evaluation information (e.g., reach of the program including numbers and/or age-ranges of the youth served) about all project activities. When applicable, impact evaluation activities (i.e., those designed to assess/summarize initial and/or follow-up attitudes, satisfaction, knowledge, behaviors, practices, and/or policies/procedures) should also be described. Please address the following for each of the proposed objectives:
A. What data will be collected to evaluate the success of the objective(s)?
B. How the data will be collected to assess the program’s objective(s) (e.g., methods used such as, but not limited to focus groups, surveys, interviews, or other data collection activities)?
C. When the data will be collected and the data analysis completed?
D. The extent to which there are specific data sets, data bases or registries already in place to measure/monitor meeting objective.
E. Who will collect the data and any cost of the evaluation (whether internal or external)?
F. Where and to whom the data will be presented?

Process Evaluation Example: The Project will conduct 8 school-based obesity prevention educational activities reaching up to 100 students (in grades 9-12) by the end of Year I. This will be assessed by having project staff document the dates of attendance at, and grades reached by educational sessions conducted in Year I. Project sign-in sheets will assist in identifying number of and grades of student participants.

Impact Evaluation Example: The project will increase the use of ATV helmets by 10% by the end of Project Year I. This will be assessed through the conduct of a baseline and follow-up ATV helmet use surveys conducted by the project staff at well-known ATV trails during the third and ninth month of project year I.

ORGANIZATIONAL CAPABILITIES AND QUALIFICATIONS. (15 points)
A. Describe the organizational structure of the Tribe/Tribal organization beyond health care activities.
B. If management systems are already in place, simply note it. (A copy of the 25 CFR 900, Subpart F, is available in the CYP application kit.)
C. Describe the ability of the organization to manage the proposed project. Include information regarding similarly sized projects in scope and financial assistance as well as other grants and projects successfully completed.
D. Describe what equipment (i.e., fax machine, phone, computer, etc.) and facility space (i.e., office space) will be available for use during the proposed project. Include information about any equipment not currently available that will be purchased through the grant.
E. List key personnel who will work on the project. Identify existing personnel, grant writer(s) if utilized and new program staff to be hired. Include title used in the work plan. In the appendix, include position descriptions and resumes for all key personnel. Position descriptions should clearly describe each position and duties, indicating desired qualifications experience, requirements related to the proposed project and how they will be supervised. Resumes must indicate that the proposed staff member is qualified to carry out the proposed project activities and who will determine if the work of a contractor is acceptable. Note who will be writing the progress reports. If a position is to be filled, indicate that information on the proposed position description.
F. If the project requires additional personnel (i.e., IT support, volunteers, drivers, chaperones, etc.), note these and address how the Tribe/Tribal organization will sustain the position(s) after the grant expires. (If there is no need for additional personnel, simply note it.)

CATEGORICAL BUDGET AND BUDGET JUSTIFICATION. (10 points)
A. Provide a categorical budget (Form SF 424A, Budget Information Non-Construction Programs) completing each of the budget periods requested.
B. If indirect costs are claimed, indicate and apply the current negotiated rate to the budget. Include a copy of the rate agreement in the appendix.
C. Provide a narrative justification explaining why each line item is necessary/relevant to the proposed project. Include sufficient cost and other details to facilitate the determination of cost allow ability (i.e., relevance of travel, crucial supplies, age appropriate equipment, reason for incentives and honoraria, etc.).
D. Indicate any special start-up costs.

MULTI-YEAR PROJECT REQUIREMENTS
Projects requiring a second and/or third year must include a brief project narrative and budget (one additional page per year) addressing the developmental plans for each additional year of the project.

APPENDIX ITEMS
A. Work plan and time line for proposed objectives.
B. Position descriptions for key staff.
C. Resumes of key staff that reflect current duties.
D. Consultant or contractor proposed scope of work and letter of commitment (if applicable).
E. Indirect Cost Agreement.
F. Organizational chart highlighting proposed project and other key contacts.
G. Map of area to benefit project identifying where target population resides and project location(s).
H. Multi-Year Project Requirements (if applicable).
I. Additional documents to support narrative (i.e. data tables, key news articles, table with two or more “Healthy People 2010

2. Review and Selection Process
In addition to the above criteria/requirements, applications are considered according to the following:
A. Letter of Intent Submission Deadline: April 14, 2006 and
B. Application Submission Deadline: May 25, 2006. Applications submitted in advance of or by the deadline and verified in Grants.gov will undergo preliminary review to determine that:

3. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates:
The IHS anticipates announcement date of Thursday March 30 and award date of July 17, 2006.

VI. Award Administration Information
1. Award Notices
Notification: week of July 3, 2006
The program officer will notify the contact person identified on each proposal of the results in writing via postal mail. Applicants whose applications are declared ineligible will receive written notification of the ineligibility determination and their original grant application via postal mail. The ineligible notification will include information regarding the rationale for the ineligible decision citing specific information from the original grant application. Applicants who are approved but unfunded and disapproved will receive a copy of the Executive Summary which identifies the weaknesses and strengths of the application submitted. Applicants which are approved and funded will be notified through the Financial Assistant Award (FAA) document. The FAA will serve as the official notification of a grant award and will state the amount of Federal funds awarded, the purpose of the grant, the terms and conditions of the grant award, the effective date of the award, the project period, and the budget period. Any other correspondence announcing to the Applicant’s Project Director that an application was recommended for approval is not an authorization to begin performance. Pre-award costs are not allowable charges under this program grant.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
Grants are administered in accordance with the following documents:
A. This cooperative agreement.
B. 45 CFR Part 92,

3. Reporting
A. Progress Report - Program progress reports are required semi-annually by January 17 and July 17 of each funding year. These reports will include a brief comparison of actual accomplishments to the goals established for the period, reasons for slippage (if applicable), and other pertinent information as required/outlined in award letters. A final report must be submitted within 90 days of expiration of the budget/project period.
B. Financial Status Report - Semi-annual financial status reports (FSR) must be submitted within 30 days of the end of the half year. Final FSR are due within 90 days of expiration of the budget/project period. Standard Form 269 can be download from http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/sf269.pdf for financial reporting.

VII. Agency Contact(s)
Interested parties may obtain CYP programmatic information from the MCH Program Coordinator through the information listed under Section IV of this program announcement. Grant-related and business management information may be obtained from the Grants Management Specialist through the information listed under Section IV of this program announcement. Please note that the telephone numbers provided are not toll-free.

VIII. Other Information
The DHHS is committed to achieving the health promotion and disease prevention objectives of Healthy People 2010, a DHHS-led activity for setting priority areas. Potential applicants may obtain a printed copy of Healthy People 2010, (Summary Report No, 017-001-00549-5) or CD-ROM, Stock No. 017-001-00549-5, through the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA, 15250-7945, (202) 512-1800. You may also access this information at the following website: http://www.healthypeople.gov/Publications.

The U.S. Census Bureau website contains AI/AN specific data at the Tribal census tract level. Data is provided at http://factfinder.census.gov/home/aian/index.html by Tribe and language; reservations and other AI/AN areas; county and Tribal census tract level; and economic category.

The Public Health Service (PHS) strongly encourages all grant and contract recipients to provide a smoke-free workplace and promote the non-use of all tobacco products. In addition, Pub. L. 103-227, the Pro-Children Act of 1994, . prohibits smoking in certain facilities (or in some cases, any portion of the facility) in which regular or routine education, library, day care, health care or early childhood development services are provided to children. This is consistent with the PHS mission to protect and advance the physical and mental health of the American people.

______________________ ________________________________
Date Robert G. McSwain
Deputy Director, Indian Health Service

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