[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 112 (Monday, June 10, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29396-29398]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-14555]



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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
[Announcement 641]


Health Promotion Disease Prevention Research Center for Teen 
Pregnancy Prevention

Introduction

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announces the 
availability of fiscal year (FY) 1996 funds for a cooperative agreement 
program for a Health Promotion Disease Prevention Research Center (PRC) 
to address teenage pregnancy prevention. Teen pregnancy is a nationally 
recognized social problem requiring multifactorial approaches, 
including behavioral interventions that focus on prevention. The 
central theme for the PRC will be teenage pregnancy prevention.
    CDC is committed to achieving the health promotion and disease 
prevention objectives of ``Healthy People 2000,'' a national activity 
to reduce morbidity and mortality and improve the quality of life. This 
announcement is related to the priority area of Family Planning. (For 
ordering a copy of ``Healthy People 2000,'' see the section ``Where To 
Obtain Additional Information.'')

Authority

    This program is authorized under Section 1706 (42 U.S.C. 300u-5), 
of the Public Health Service Act, as amended.

Smoke-Free Workplace

    CDC strongly encourages all grant recipients to provide a smoke-
free workplace and promote the nonuse of all tobacco products, and 
Public Law 103-227, the Pro-Children Act of 1994, prohibits smoking in 
certain facilities that receive Federal funds in which education, 
library, day care, health care, and early childhood development 
services are provided to children.

Eligible Applicants

    Assistance will be provided to an academic health center defined as 
a school of public health, medicine, or osteopathy that has:
    A. Multidisciplinary faculty with expertise in public health and 
which has working relationships with relevant groups in such fields as 
medicine, psychology, nursing, social work, education, and business.
    B. Graduate training programs relevant to disease prevention.
    C. Core faculty in epidemiology, biostatistics, social sciences, 
behavioral and environmental health sciences, and health 
administration.
    D. Demonstrated curriculum in disease prevention.
    E. Capability for residency training in public health or preventive 
medicine.
    Eligible applicants may enter into contracts, including consortia 
agreements (as described in the PHS Grants Policy Statement), as 
necessary to meet the essential requirements of this program and to 
strengthen the overall application.
    In Senate Report 50-52, Congress directed CDC to initiate one new 
prevention center that would ``* * * focus on research, demonstration, 
evaluation, and training, for health and other public sector 
professionals, and community-based organizations to prevent teen 
pregnancy.'' This report further stated that the development and 
evaluation of successful programs which prevent teen pregnancies is one 
of the nation's most pressing needs.
    Excluded are the University of Washington, Columbia University 
School, Johns Hopkins University, University of North Carolina at 
Chapel Hill, University of South Carolina, University of Alabama at 
Birmingham, the University of Illinois at Chicago, University of Texas 
Health Science Center at Houston, and the University of California at 
Berkeley, which were funded under Program Announcement 328: ``Health 
Promotion and Disease Prevention Research Centers Cooperative 
Agreements''; the University of Oklahoma, the University of New Mexico, 
and Saint Louis University, which were funded under Program 
Announcement 432: ``Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Research 
Centers Cooperative Agreements''; and the West Virginia Health 
Promotion and Disease Prevention Research Center funded under Program 
Announcement 461: ``West Virginia Health Promotion and Disease 
Prevention Research Center Cooperative Agreement.''

Availability of Funds

    Approximately $375,000 is available in FY 1996 to fund 1 Health 
Promotion and Disease Prevention Research Center dedicated to teenage 
pregnancy prevention. It is expected that the award will be made on or 
about September 30, 1996. The award will be funded for a 12-month 
budget period within a project period of up to 2 years.
    Continuation awards within the project period are made on the basis 
of satisfactory progress and the availability of funds.
    If requested, Federal personnel may be assigned to a project in 
lieu of a portion of the financial assistance.
    The amount of this award may not be adequate to support the PRC 
activities and other sources of funding may be necessary.

Purpose

    The purpose of this award is to support health promotion and 
disease prevention research that focuses on teen pregnancy prevention.

Program Requirements

    The primary goal of the Health Promotion Disease Prevention 
Research Center Program will be to advance the scientific knowledge 
base and work with CDC-funded demonstration programs, such as Special 
Interest Projects (SIPs), to identify and disseminate strategies for 
teen pregnancy prevention. Lessons learned from these programs will be 
translated into models for teen pregnancy prevention, advance 
professional and community education and training so that effective 
interventions for teenage pregnancy prevention can be more fully 
integrated into communities.
    The Health Promotion Disease Prevention Research Center Program 
must be interdisciplinary in approach, provide a behavioral science and 
evaluation focus, educate professionals, and work directly with teen 
populations through community partnerships.
    In conducting activities to achieve the purpose of this program, 
the recipient will be responsible for the activities under A. 
(Recipient Activities), and CDC will be responsible for the activities 
listed under B. (CDC Activities).

[[Page 29397]]

A. Recipient Activities

    1. Implement and evaluate one or more existing strategies that 
demonstrate teen pregnancy prevention in a defined community or 
targeted population.
    2. Implement and evaluate a ``demonstration project'' in teen 
pregnancy prevention with a State/local health/education department, or 
community based organization.
    3. Establish collaborative activities with appropriate community 
organizations, national and professional organizations, health and 
education agencies at the State and local level.
    4. Establish an advisory committee to provide input on major 
program activities. The committee should include a multidisciplinary 
team comprised of behavioral scientists, a variety of health-care 
providers, health and education agency officials, voluntary health 
organizations and consumers including teens.
    5. Coordinate and collaborate with other health and human services 
supported research programs to prevent duplication and enhance overall 
efforts.

B. CDC Activities

    1. Collaborate as appropriate with recipient in all stages of the 
project.
    2. Provide programmatic and technical assistance.
    3. Participate in improving program performance through 
consultation based on information and activities of other projects.
    4. Provide scientific collaboration.
    5. At the request of the applicant, assign Federal personnel in 
lieu of a portion of the financial assistance to assist with developing 
the curriculum, training, or conducting other specific necessary 
activities.
    6. Facilitate the coordination and collaboration of prevention 
center research with other health and human services supported research 
programs that address teen pregnancy prevention so that duplication is 
avoided and overall research efforts and findings are maximized.

Evaluation Criteria

    Applications will be reviewed and evaluated through a dual review 
process. The first review will be a peer evaluation of the scientific 
and technical merit of the application conducted by the Prevention 
Centers Grant Review Committee. The second review will be conducted by 
senior Federal staff, who will consider the results of the first 
review, national program needs, and relevance to the mission of CDC. 
Awards will be made on the basis of priority score rankings by the peer 
review, recommendations based on program review by senior Federal 
staff, and the availability of funds.
    The Prevention Center Grants Program Objective Review Committee may 
recommend approval or disapproval based on the intent of the 
application and the following criteria:

A. Background Section (25 points)

    1. The extent to which the applicant understands and identifies the 
problems related to teenage pregnancy and prevention, assesses the 
current state of the art in teen pregnancy prevention, identifies gaps 
in current evaluation and intervention, and professional training 
needs.
    2. The extent to which community(ies) needs that will be served by 
the PRC are identified and provides supporting documentation comparing 
these needs with 1 above.
    3. The extent to which the applicant demonstrates their capacity 
and unique resource to decrease the number of teen pregnancies in the 
community(ies) served by the PRC or to build the capacity of agencies 
or professionals that serve teenagers.

B. Goals and Objectives (5 points)

    The extent to which the overall program plan has clear objectives 
that are specific, measurable, and realistic, and makes effective use 
of Prevention Center resources to advance the theme of teenage 
pregnancy prevention.

C. Specific Project Plans (45 points)

    The technical and scientific merits of the proposed projects, the 
potential to achieve the stated objectives and the extent to which the 
applicant's plans are consistent with the purpose of the program.
    1. Core activities.
    2. Demonstration and evaluation projects.
    3. Collaborative project with State and local health or education 
department, or community organizations.
    4. Prevention Research Training and training on teen pregnancy 
prevention.
    5. The extent to which findings and results from the PRC's research 
will be communicated and shared with professional and lay communities.
    6. The degree to which the applicant has met the CDC Policy 
requirements regarding the inclusion of women, ethnic, and racial 
groups in the proposed research. This includes:
    a. The proposed plan for the inclusion of both sexes and racial and 
ethnic minority populations for appropriate representation.
    b. The proposed justification when representation is limited or 
absent.
    c. A statement as to whether the design of the study is adequate to 
measure differences when warranted.
    d. A statement as to whether the plans for recruitment and outreach 
for study participants include the process of establishing partnerships 
with community(ies) and recognition of mutual benefits will be 
documented.

D. Other Activities (5 points)

    The extent to which prevention research, developmental and 
evaluation research, and behavioral science research are integrated 
into the proposal.

E. Management and Staffing Plan (15 points)

    The extent to which the applicant demonstrates the institution's 
ability and capacity to carry out the overall theme, objectives, and 
specific project plans.

F. Evaluation Plan (5 points)

    The extent to which the overall Prevention Center theme and 
objectives will be evaluated in regard to progress, efficacy, and cost 
benefit.

G. Budget (Not Scored)

    The extent to which the budget and justification are consistent 
with the program objectives and purpose. Applicants are strongly urged 
to include a plan for obtaining additional resources that lead to 
institutionalization of the Center.

H. Human Subjects (Not Scored)

    Whether or not exempt from the Department of Health and Human 
Services (DHHS) regulations, are procedures adequate for the protection 
of human subjects? Recommendations on the adequacy of protections 
include: (1) protections appear adequate and there are no comments to 
make or concerns to raise, or (2) protections appear adequate, but 
there are comments regarding the protocol, or (3) protections appear 
inadequate and the ORG has concerns related to human subjects; or (4) 
disapproval of the application is recommended because the research 
risks are sufficiently serious and protection against the risks are 
inadequate as to make the entire application unacceptable.

I. Review by Senior Federal Staff

    Further review will be conducted by senior Federal staff. Factors 
to be considered will be:
    1. Results of the peer review.
    2. Program needs and relevance to national goals.

[[Page 29398]]

    3. Budgetary considerations.

Executive Order 12372 Review

    Applications are subject to Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs as governed by Executive Order (E.O.) 12372. E.O. 12372 sets 
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 any 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 to CDC, 
they should send them to Sharron P. Orum, 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 45 days after the application deadline 
date (the appropriation for this financial assistance program was 
received late in the fiscal year and would not allow for an application 
receipt date which would accommodate the 60-day State recommendation 
process period). 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 93.135.

Other Requirements

Human Subjects

    If the proposed project involves research on human subjects, the 
applicant must comply with the Department of Health and Human Services 
Regulations, 45 CFR Part 46, regarding the protection of human 
subjects. Assurance must be provided to demonstrate that the project 
will be subject to initial and continuing review by an appropriate 
institutional review committee. The applicant will be responsible for 
providing assurance in accordance with the appropriate guidelines and 
form provided in the application kit.

Women, Racial, and Ethnic Minorities

    It is the policy of the CDC and the Agency for Toxic Substances and 
Disease Registry (ATSDR) to ensure that individuals of both sexes and 
the various racial and ethnic groups will be included in CDC/ATSDR-
supported research projects involving human subjects, whenever feasible 
and appropriate. Racial and ethnic groups are those defined in OMB 
Directive No. 15 and include American Indian, Alaskan Native, Asian, 
Pacific Islander, Black and Hispanic. Applicants shall ensure that 
women, racial and ethnic minority populations are appropriately 
represented in applications for research involving human subjects. 
Where clear and compelling rationale exist that inclusion is 
inappropriate or not feasible, this situation must be explained as part 
of the application. In conducting review for scientific merit, review 
groups will evaluate proposed plans for inclusion of minorities and 
both sexes as part of the scientific assessment of scoring.
    This policy does not apply to research studies when the 
investigator cannot control the race, ethnicity and/or sex of subjects. 
Further guidance to this policy is contained in the Federal Register, 
Vol. 60, No. 179, pages 47947-47951, dated Friday, September 15, 1995.

Application Submission and Deadlines

    The original and five copies of the application PHS 398 form 
(Revised 5/95, OMB No. 0925-0001) must be submitted to Sharron P. Orum, 
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 July 15, 1996.
    1. Deadline: Applications shall be considered as meeting 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 objective review group. (Applicants must 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 shall not be acceptable as proof of timely mailing.)
    2. Late Applications: Applications which do not meet the 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 Glynnis D. Taylor, 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, by fax (404) 842-6513, or by Internet or CDC WONDER 
electronic mail at <[email protected]>. Programmatic technical 
assistance may be obtained from Patricia L. Riley, C.N.M., M.P.H., 
Director, Health Promotion Disease Prevention Research Center Program, 
or Donald E. Benken, M.P.H., Health Education Specialist, National 
Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 4770 Buford Highway, NE., 
Mailstop K-30, Atlanta, GA 30341-3724, telephone (404) 488-5395 or by 
Internet or CDC WONDER electronic mail at <[email protected]> or 
<[email protected]>.
    Please refer to Program Announcement Number 641 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) 512-1800.
    There may be delays in mail delivery and difficulty in reaching the 
CDC Atlanta offices during the 1996 Summer Olympics. Therefore, CDC 
suggests using Internet, following all instructions in this 
announcement and leaving messages on the contact person's voice mail 
for more timely responses to any questions.

    Dated: June 3, 1996.
Joseph R. Carter,
Acting Associate Director for Management and Operations, Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
[FR Doc. 96-14555 Filed 6-7-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P