[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 217 (Thursday, November 7, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57689-57691]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-28638]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Availability of Funds to Provide Technical and Non-financial
Assistance to Federally Funded Migrant Health Centers
AGENCY: Health Resources and Services Administration, HHS.
ACTION: Notice of availability of funds.
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CFDA #: 93.129.
[[Page 57690]]
SUMMARY: The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
anticipates that approximately $1.1 million will be available in FY
1997 to support two cooperative agreements for the purpose of providing
technical and non-financial assistance to Migrant Health Centers (MHCs)
receiving funding under Section 330(g) of the Public Health Service
(PHS) Act.
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 for setting health priorities. These
cooperative agreements are related to the objectives cited for special
populations, particularly people with low income and minorities, which
constitute a significant portion of the migrant and seasonal farmworker
(MSFW) population. 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) through the
Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington,
D.C. 20402-9325 (telephone 202/783-3238).
The PHS strongly encourages all cooperative agreement recipients to
provide a smoke-free workplace and promote the non-use of all tobacco
products. In addition, Public Law 103-227, the Pro-Children Act of
1994, prohibits smoking in certain facilities (or in some cases, any
portion of a facility) in which regular or routine education, library,
day care, health care or early childhood development services are
provided to children.
DATES: Applications are due December 9, 1996. Applications will be
considered to have met the deadline if they are: (1) received on/or
before the deadline date; or (2) postmarked on/or before the deadline
date and received in time for submission to the review committee.
Applicants should 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 are not acceptable as proof
of timely mailing. Faxed copies of applications will not be accepted.
Applications received after the announced closing date will not be
considered for funding.
ADDRESSES: Application kits (PHS form 5161-1 with revised face sheets
DHHS Form 424, as approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
under control number 0937--0189), may be obtained from: HRSA Grants
Application Center, Suite 100, 40 W. Gude Drive, Rockville, MD 20850.
The telephone number is toll-free 1-888-300-HRSA. The e-mail address is
[email protected]. Completed applications for awards for the
provision of technical and other non-financial assistance to MHCs must
be sent to: HRSA Grants Application Center at the above address. For
information on grants management issues, please contact the Grants
Management Specialist, Nancy Benson, at 301/594-4232.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For general program information and
information about these technical assistance funds, contact Jack Egan,
Deputy Director, Migrant Health Program (MHP), 4350 East-West Highway,
Room 7-4A2, Bethesda, MD 20814 (301) 594-4303 ([email protected]) or
Susan Hagler at the same address and phone number
([email protected]).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: One cooperative agreement of up to $750,000
will be for a national clearinghouse on MSFW health issues. The
``clearinghouse'' grantee will provide technical assistance that helps
MHCs increase access to health care for MSFWs. The grantee will develop
such products as a MHC directory and a newsletter, establish a toll
free health center referral line, and serve as a repository for MSFW
health issues. The other cooperative agreement of up to $325,000 will
be for a clinical network for clinicians serving MSFWs. The ``clinical
network'' grantee will provide technical assistance that helps
farmworker clinicians give the best possible care to MSFWs. The grantee
will develop such products as a clinical newsletter, bilingual patient
education materials, new provider orientation materials and will
establish a network of clinical colleagues upon whom to call when
needed. These cooperative agreements will be awarded under section
330(k) of the PHS Act (42 U.S.C. 254b (k)) with a budget period of one
year and a project period of up to five years.
There are an estimated 3 to 5 million farmworkers in the United
States who experience multiple health problems associated with the
nature of farm labor and numerous barriers to accessing primary health
care and human services. The health of MSFWs is a major concern of the
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Section 330(k) of
the PHS Act authorizes Federal funding for the provision of
comprehensive primary health services, supplemental health services,
referral to providers for supplemental services, environmental health
services, accident prevention programs, and information on the
availability and proper use of health services and services which
promote optimal use of health services by MSFWs and their families.
MHCs must provide services which are accessible, affordable, and
appropriate for the population served.
Often, however, the staff of MHCs feel very isolated from each
other and the health care environment in which they are working. MHCs
are expected to be part of comprehensive systems of care through
networking with local health departments and other providers of
services in the community. Yet this can be a difficult task to
accomplish, given the size of most MHCs. For this reason, the Bureau of
Primary Health Care (BPHC) provides funding for technical and non-
financial assistance for the MHCs.
The two grantees will help the MHCs keep abreast of the latest
health issues facing MSFWs, both clinically and administratively. They
will help the clinicians and administrators of the MHCs coordinate care
and network resources for a population that is desperately in need.
Finally, these grantees will provide MHCs with access to information
and other MHCs so that together they can improve the health of MSFWs.
Eligible Applicants
Eligible applicants for the technical assistance cooperative
agreement are public and private nonprofit entities.
Criteria for Evaluating Applications
Applications will be evaluated and rated on the applicant's ability
to meet the following criteria:
(1) The extent to which the applicant demonstrates an adequate
understanding of the total health needs of MSFWs;
(2) The extent to which the applicant demonstrates a capability to
serve as a resource to federally funded Migrant Health Centers/Projects
to maximize collaboration, identify and integrate resources in
assisting farmworkers;
(3) Experience of the proposed project personnel in working with
migrant farmworker health issues;
(4) The adequacy and appropriateness of the proposed work plan that
addresses specific Migrant Health Program priorities and focuses on the
outcomes as well as the methodology to be employed;
(5) Appropriateness of proposed budget and staffing;
[[Page 57691]]
(6) Adequacy of the proposal to evaluate the outcomes of the
activities proposed; and
(7) The cost effectiveness of the application.
Federal Responsibilities Under Cooperative Agreements
Federal responsibilities under the cooperative agreement, in
addition to the usual monitoring and technical assistance, will
include: (1) Participation in the development and approval of an
initial workplan, in accord with changing events in government policies
and in the health care environment, and modification thereof, as
appropriate; (2) consultation and cooperation with the grantee
regarding the grantee's preparation and dissemination of materials; and
(3) approval of specific studies and projects.
Other Award Information
These awards are not subject to the provision of Executive Order
12372 or the Public Health System Reporting Requirement.
Dated: November 1, 1996.
Ciro V. Sumaya,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 96-28638 Filed 11-6-96; 8:45 am]
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