[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 65 (Tuesday, April 5, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-8058]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: April 5, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
[Announcement 427]

 

Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance

Introduction

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announces the 
availability of fiscal year (FY) 1994 funds for cooperative agreements 
to: (1) Continue monitoring the prevalence of major behavioral risks 
associated with the leading causes of premature death through the 
Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS); and (2) Improve the 
State capacity to analyze program data collected through the BRFSS and 
ensure the use of analyzed data in program planning, monitoring, 
evaluation, determining program priorities, policy development, 
assessing trends, and targeting relevant population groups. Survey data 
collection will continue to be encouraged and supported, but the 
emphasis of this announcement is the analysis and routine use of 
collected data and information to actively direct successful program 
development.
    This announcement addresses two distinct levels of support. The 
first is a Core Capacity Program, which consists of using BRFSS data 
for planning, developing, integrating, coordinating and evaluating 
chronic disease(s) prevention and control programs, and monitoring the 
prevalence of major behavioral risks associated with leading causes of 
premature death. The second is an Enhanced Program, which is intended 
to increase State capacity to analyze BRFSS data and institutionalize 
routine use of BRFSS data to develop meaningful interventions and 
direct program development. Applicants may apply for a Core Capacity 
Program or for both a Core Capacity Program and an Enhanced Program. 
Enhanced Program awards will only be considered for those applicants 
which successfully compete and are funded for Core Capacity Program 
awards.
    The Public Health Service (PHS) is committed to achieving the 
health promotion and disease prevention objectives of ``Healthy People 
2000,'' a PHS-led national activity to reduce morbidity and mortality 
and improve the quality of life. This announcement is related to the 
priority area, Surveillance Data Systems. (For ordering a copy of 
``Healthy People 2000,'' see the section Where to Obtain Additional 
Information.)

Authority

    This program is authorized under section 317(k)(3) (42 U.S.C. 
247b(k)(3)) of the Public Health Service Act, as amended.

Smoke-Free Workplace

    The Public Health Service strongly encourages all cooperative 
agreement recipients to provide a smoke-free workplace and promote the 
non-use of all tobacco products. This is consistent with the PHS 
mission to protect and advance the physical and mental health of the 
American people.

Eligible Applicants

    Assistance will be provided only to the official health departments 
of States or their bona fide agents or instrumentalities. This includes 
the District of Columbia, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of Puerto 
Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, the 
Northern Mariana Islands, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the 
Republic of Palau.
    Funding priority consideration for the Core Capacity Program will 
be given to States currently funded for BRFSS.
    Eligible applicants have been restricted to official health 
departments of States or their bona fide agents or instrumentalities 
because:
    1. The conduct of statewide health promotion, health education and 
risk reduction programs directed towards reducing the prevalence of 
these behavioral risks in the population lie solely with State health 
departments.
    2. The methodology for the conduct of this program has been 
structured to support the national goals/objectives put forth in 
``Healthy People 2000.'' In many instances, State health departments 
have already embraced or established their own goals/objectives which 
match or are synonymous with those outlined in ``Healthy People 2000.''
    The information gathered under the BRFSS is expected to be of use 
to State health departments to support risk reduction and disease 
prevention activities. Because comparable methods are used from State 
to State and from year to year, States can compare risk factor 
prevalence with other States and monitor the effects of interventions 
over time. Also, the use of consistent methods in a large group of 
States permits the assessment of geographic patterns of risk factor 
prevalence. These telephone survey techniques can also be applied at 
the community level to guide local efforts in reducing risk factor 
prevalence. Combined, the behavioral risk factor survey and 
surveillance data provide a new resource to guide State and local 
disease prevention efforts.

Availability of Funds

    Approximately $2,250,000 is available in FY 1994 to fund 
approximately 50 awards in the following two categories:

A. Core Capacity Program

    Approximately $2,000,000 is available to fund approximately 50 
awards. It is expected that the average award will be $39,000 ranging 
from $24,000 to $54,000.

B. Enhanced Program

    Approximately $250,000 is available to fund approximately 10 
awards. It is expected that the average award will be $25,000 ranging 
from $10,000 to $40,000. Enhanced Program awards will only be 
considered for those applicants which successfully compete and are 
funded for Core Capacity Program awards.
    It is expected that the awards will begin on or about September 1, 
1994, and will be made for a 12-month budget period within a project 
period of up to 5 years. Funding estimates may vary and are subject to 
change.
    Continuation awards within the project period will be made on the 
basis of satisfactory progress and the availability of funds.

Purpose

    The purpose of this program is to provide financial and 
programmatic assistance to State health departments to maintain and 
expand State specific BRFSS activities and permanently establish the 
analysis and routine use of BRFSS data and information in directing 
program planning, evaluating programs, determining program priorities, 
developing policy, assessing trends, and targeting relevant population 
groups.
    Potential enhancement options envisioned by CDC would include the 
following:
    1. Expansion of State data analytic capacity and capabilities to 
produce information necessary to support chronic disease prevention and 
control activities at the State and local level through collaboration 
with State health department programs, universities, CDC supported 
Prevention Centers, and other relevant organizations.
    2. Expansion of present interviewing capacity to provide pilot or 
validity testing of surveillance questions or questionnaires.
    3. Expansion of data collection and sampling frames to include 
point-in-time surveys or over sampling of minority or other targeted 
high-risk populations.
    4. Expansion of data management, collection, and analysis 
activities by acquisition of hardware and software compatible with CDC 
systems.
    5. Participation in testing of newly designed sampling procedures 
to increase efficiency, reduce costs, and strengthen statistical power.
    6. Expanded or innovative proposals by the State designed to meet 
an identified program need, enhance State data analysis capability, and 
promote the routine use and dissemination of analyzed data in the 
development of chronic disease program interventions and in directing 
chronic disease program management decisions.

Program Requirements

    In conducting activities to achieve the purpose of this program, 
the recipient shall be responsible for the activities under A., below, 
and CDC shall be responsible for conducting activities under B., below:

A. Recipient Activities

    1. Formulate a plan for the development, implementation, and 
conduct of a BRFSS mechanism which conforms to recommended standards, 
or continue current BRFSS data collection activities in conformance 
with the BRFSS Operations Manual. (For ordering a copy of the BRFSS 
Operations Manual, see the section Where to Obtain Additional 
Information.)
    2. Develop and implement plans and written procedures for ongoing 
analysis of behavioral risk factor data statewide and for selected 
local areas.
    3. Develop and implement plans and written procedures to ensure the 
routine use of analyzed BRFSS data in directing program planning, 
evaluating programs, determining program priorities, developing 
specific interventions, developing policy, assessing trends, and 
targeting relevant population groups.
    4. Develop and implement plans for the use of BRFSS to address 
emergency or critical chronic disease issues which may arise within the 
State.
    5. Develop and implement procedures to increase collaboration with 
and among State, local, and, as appropriate, national public, private, 
voluntary, profit and non-profit agencies, organizations, and 
universities which analyze data or seek to reduce chronic disease 
morbidity and mortality.
    6. Develop and maintain staff with the capability and expertise 
necessary to carry out proposed program activities.

B. CDC Activities

    1. Collaborate and assist in the compilation of specific risk 
factor information related to the leading causes of State morbidity and 
mortality in a periodic, standardized, and uniform manner.
    2. Collaborate and assist in State staff training related to data 
collection, data analysis, interpretation, and utilization.
    3. Assist in the development of program intervention strategies and 
evaluation of program impact.
    4. Assist in the coordination of program activities among relevant 
agencies and in the assessment of achievement of program and Year 2000 
objectives.
    5. Coordinate and facilitate the interchange of technical 
information among cooperative agreement recipients.

Evaluation Criteria

    Core Capacity Program and Enhanced Program applications will be 
allocated 100 points each and will be reviewed and evaluated according 
to the following criteria:

A. Background and Need

    The extent to which the applicant justifies the need for the 
program. (Core 15 Points--Enhanced 20 Points)

B. Goals and Objectives

    The extent to which (1) stated goal(s) are specific, measurable, 
realistic, and time-phased, (2) Objectives are related to Background 
and Need issues or Year 2000 objectives, and (3) There is a timetable 
for accomplishment of goals and objectives. (Core 10 Points--Enhanced 
10 Points)

C. Data Use Plan

    The extent to which the plan describes current or proposed data 
collection activities, methods employed for collection, and methods for 
using data to develop interventions and measure program achievements. 
(Core 25 Points--Enhanced 40 Points)

D. Management and Staffing

    The extent to which the applicant identifies staff and other 
entities having the responsibility and authority to carry out program 
activities, as evidenced by job descriptions, resumes, organizational 
charts, and letters of support. (Core 15 Points--Enhanced 10 Points)

E. Capacity

    The extent to which the applicant demonstrates the organizational 
capacity and ability to address the identified needs and to develop and 
conduct program activities. (Core 20 Points--Enhanced 10 Points)

F. Evaluation

    The feasibility of the evaluation methods or procedures to monitor 
proposed activities, and the evaluation criteria to measure program 
accomplishments. (Core 15 Points--Enhanced 10 Points)

G. Budget

    The extent to which the budget and justification are consistent 
with the stated objectives and program purpose. (Not Weighted)

Executive Order 12372 Review

    Applications are subject to Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs governed by Executive Order (E.O.) 12372. E.O. 12372 set up a 
system for State and local government review of proposed Federal 
assistance applications. Applicants should contact their State Single 
Point of Contact (SPOC) as early as possible to alert them to the 
prospective applications and receive the necessary instructions on the 
State process. For proposed projects serving more than one State, the 
applicant is advised to contact the SPOC for each affected State. A 
current list of SPOCs is included in the application kit. If SPOCs have 
any State process recommendations on applications submitted CDC, they 
should send them to Edwin L. Dixon, Grants Management Officer, Grants 
Management Branch, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention (CDC), 255 East Paces Ferry Road, NE., Atlanta, 
GA 30305, no later than 60 days after the application deadline date. 
The Program Announcement Number and Program Title should be referenced 
on the document. The granting agency does not guarantee to 
``accommodate or explain'' State process recommendations it receives 
after that date.

Public Health System Reporting Requirements

    This program is not subject to the Public Health System Reporting 
Requirements.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number

    The catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number is 93.945.

Other Requirements

HIV/AIDS Requirements

    Recipients must comply with the document entitled: Content of AIDS-
Related Written Materials, Pictorials, Audiovisuals, Questionnaires, 
Survey Instruments, and Educational Sessions (June 1992), a copy of 
which is included in the application kit. To meet the requirements for 
a program review panel, recipients are encouraged to use an existing 
program review panel, such as the one created by the State health 
department's HIV/AIDS prevention program. If the recipient forms its 
own program review panel, at least one member must be an employee (or a 
designated representative) of a State or local health department. The 
names of the review panel members must be listed on the Assurance of 
Compliance Form CDC 0.1113, which is also included in the application 
kit. The recipient must submit the program review panel's report that 
indicates all materials have been reviewed and approved.

Application Submission and Deadline

    The original and two copies of the application PHS Form-5161-1 
(Rev. 7/92) must be submitted to Edwin L. Dixon, Grants Management 
Officer, Grants Management Branch, Procurement and Grants Office, 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 255 East Paces Ferry 
Road, NE., Room 314, Mailstop E-18, Atlanta, GA 30305, on or before May 
9, 1994.
    1. Deadline: Applications will be considered to meet the deadline 
if they are either:
    (a) Received on or before the deadline date: or
    (b) Sent on or before the deadline date and received in time for 
submission to the independent review group. (Applicant must request a 
legibly dated U.S. Postal Service postmark or obtain a legibly dated 
receipt from a commercial carrier or the U.S. Postal Service. Private 
metered postmarks will not be accepted as proof of timely mailing.)
    2. Late Applications: Applications which do not meet the above 
criteria in 1.(a) or 1.(b) above are considered late applications. Late 
applications will not be considered in the current competition and will 
be returned to the applicant.

Where To Obtain Additional Information

    A complete program description, information on application 
procedures, an application package, and business management technical 
assistance may be obtained from Nealean K. Austin, Grants Management 
Specialist, Grants Management Branch, Procurement and Grants Office, 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 255 East Paces Ferry 
Road, NE., Room 314, Mailstop E-18, Atlanta, GA 30305, telephone (404) 
842-6508. Programmatic technical assistance and a copy of the BRFSS 
Operations Manual may be obtained from Michael Waller, Program Manager, 
Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Branch, Office of Surveillance and 
Analysis, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health 
Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1600 
Clifton Road, NE., Mailstop K-30, Atlanta, GA, 30333, telephone (404) 
488-5294.
    Please refer to Announcement Number 427 when requesting information 
and submitting an application.
    Potential applicants may obtain a copy of ``Healthy People 2000'' 
(Full Report; Stock No. 017-001-00474-0) or ``Healthy People 2000'' 
(Summary Report; Stock No. 017-001-00473-1) referenced in the 
Introduction through the Superintendent of Documents, Government 
Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402-9325, telephone (202) 783-3238.

    Dated: March 30, 1994.
Robert L. Foster,
Acting Associate Director for Management and Operations, Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 94-8058 Filed 4-4-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P