[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 219 (Tuesday, November 12, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58072-58074]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-28933]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Special Projects of National Significance; Innovative HIV Service
Delivery Models for Native American Communities
AGENCY: Health Resources and Services Administration, HHS.
ACTION: Notice of availability of funds.
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SUMMARY: The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
announces that applications will be accepted for fiscal year (FY) 1997
grants for the Special Projects of National Significance (SPNS) Program
funded under the authority of Section 2691 of the Public Health Service
Act, as established by the Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources
Emergency (CARE) Act of 1990 (Pub. L. 101-381) and amended by the Ryan
White CARE Act Amendments of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-146). Funds are
available under the ``Omnibus Consolidated Appropriations Act, 1997''
(Pub. L. 104-208). This announcement solicits applications addressing
the development and assessment of innovative service delivery models
that are designed to ensure the ongoing availability of services for
Native American communities to enable such communities to care for
Native Americans with HIV disease. Applicants can apply for project
periods of up to 5 years. These grants are demonstrations and are not
intended for the long-term support of any of the innovative models that
are developed or assessed. The SPNS Program, in collaboration with the
SPNS Program funded Evaluation Technical Assistance Center grantee,
will provide technical assistance and support for a project's program
evaluation studies.
From one to four grants will be awarded. The total amount available
is $1,000,000. Funding will be allocated according to the number of
grants awarded.
The SPNS Program is designed to demonstrate and evaluate innovative
and potentially replicable HIV service delivery models. The authorizing
legislation specifies three SPNS Program objectives: (1) To assess the
effectiveness of particular models of care; (2) to support innovative
program design; and (3) to promote replication of effective models.
DATES: Application: Applications for these announced grants must be
received in the Grants Management Branch by the close of business
December 20, 1996, to be considered for competition. Applications will
meet the deadline if they are either: (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 objective review panel. A
legibly dated receipt from a commercial carrier or the U.S. Postal
Service will be accepted as proof of timely mailing. Applications
received after the deadline will be returned to the applicant.
ADDRESSES: Grant applications, guidance materials, and additional
information regarding business, administrative, and fiscal issues
related to the awarding of grants under this Notice should be directed
to Mr. Neal Meyerson, Grants Management Branch, Bureau of Health
Resources Development, Health Resources and Services Administration,
5600 Fishers Lane, Room 7-27, Rockville, MD 20857. The telephone number
is (301) 443-5906 and the FAX number is (301) 594-6096. Applicants for
grants will use Form PHS 5161-1, approved under OMB Control No. 0937-
0189. Completed applications should be sent to the Grants Management
Branch.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Additional technical information may
be obtained from the SPNS Branch, Office of Science and Epidemiology,
Bureau of Health Resources Development, Health Resources and Services
Administration, 5600 Fishers Lane, Room 7A-08, Rockville, MD 20857. The
telephone number is (301) 443-9976 and the FAX number is (301) 443-
4965.
HEALTHY PEOPLE 2000 OBJECTIVES: The Department of Health and Human
Services (DHHS) urges applicants to address specific objectives of
Healthy People 2000 in their work plans. 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. 200402-9325 (Telephone: (202) 783-3238).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background and Objectives
The SPNS Program endeavors to advance knowledge and skills in HIV
services delivery, stimulate the design of innovative models of care,
and provide short term (up to five years) support for the development
of effective delivery systems for these services. The SPNS Program
accomplishes its purpose through funding and technical support of
innovative HIV service delivery models. For purposes of this
announcement, models seeking SPNS Program support must address the
development and assessment of innovative service delivery models that
are designed to ensure the ongoing availability of services for Native
American communities to enable such communities to care for Native
Americans with HIV disease.
[[Page 58073]]
The implementation, utilization, costs, and outcomes of SPNS
Program grants must be evaluated. Increased client participation in
medical and other treatment, barriers to participating in treatment and
other services, and strategies to overcome barriers should be
evaluated. Proposals will be expected to adequately define and justify
the need, innovative nature, and evaluation methodology of the proposed
model of services.
SPNS Program funds may not be used for expenses related to the
provision of medical care; supportive services; or any other expenses
currently reimbursed, subsidized or eligible for reimbursement through
third party payers, grants awarded under Titles I-IV of the Ryan White
CARE Act, or other grant and foundation sources.
Review Criteria
Applications submitted to the SPNS Program under this announcement
will be reviewed and rated by an objective review panel. Criteria for
the technical review of applications will include the following
factors:
Factor 1: Description of Proposed HIV Service Model (20 points)
Adequacy of the description of an innovative and adaptable service
delivery model for Native American communities that focuses on
culturally appropriate services. Adequacy of the justification of why
the model is needed and how the applicant will gain access to the
targeted population.
Factor 2: Description of Implementation Plan (15 points)
Comprehensiveness of the program implementation plan as described
in clearly stated goals, time-limited and measurable objectives for
each goal, activities directly related to each objective, and a time
line that shows the schedule of activities and production of materials
that corresponds to milestones stated in the objectives and program
evaluation. Adequacy of the description of the process for maintaining
client confidentiality throughout the project period.
Factor 3: Description of Evaluation Plan (15 points)
Clarity, soundness, and concreteness of the evaluation plan as
described by clear markers of objective outcomes related to time and
task (objective outcomes are measurable and quantifiable), and by
process evaluation measures that evaluate the successes and failures of
the model implementation process (process measures may be qualitative).
Factor 4: Description of Linkages with other Service Programs (15
points)
Adequacy of the demonstration of linkages with all appropriate Ryan
White CARE Act Programs; Indian Health Service; Bureau of Indian
Affairs; Tribal Health Departments; State and local government;
community organizations; as well as other applicable non HIV-specific
providers. Linkages might also include Federally, State, and locally
funded mental health and substance abuse treatment programs; WIC;
community and migrant health centers; and community mental health
centers.
Factor 5: Description of Cultural Competency (15 points)
Comprehensiveness of the description of how cultural competency
will be achieved, including indicators of cultural competency clearly
based on ethnic-specific markers of competency.
Factor 6: Description of Dissemination (10 points)
The extent to which the applicant demonstrates past involvement
with disseminating information about HIV service delivery by describing
dissemination activities to date (e.g., presenting and publishing
findings through reports and papers, training, or technical
assistance). The adequacy and feasibility of the dissemination plan.
Factor 7: Program Sustainability (10 points)
The extent to which the applicant describes a plan to assure the
continuation of services after conclusion of the SPNS Program
demonstration grant. Ongoing participation of clients in HIV medical
care is essential.
Eligible Applicants
SPNS Program grants are awarded to public and nonprofit, private
entities including community-based organizations.
Other Grant Information
Statewide Coordinated Statement of Need
The proposed program must be consistent with the Statewide
Coordinated Statement of Need (SCSN) and the applicant must agree to
participate in the ongoing revision process of such statement of need.
Allowable Costs
The basis for determining allocable and allowable costs to be
charged to PHS grants is set forth in 45 CFR part 74, subpart C and 45
CFR part 92, Subpart C for State, local or Federally recognized Indian
tribal governments. The four separate sets of cost principles
prescribed for public and private non-profit recipients are OMB
Circular A-87 for State, local or Federally recognized Indian tribal
governments; OMB Circular A-21 for Educational Institutions; 45 CFR
part 74, appendix E for hospitals; and OMB Circular A-122 for nonprofit
organizations.
Reporting and Other Requirements
A successful applicant under this notice will submit semi-annual
activity summary reports in accordance with provisions of general
regulations which apply under 45 CFR part 74, subpart 74.51,
``Monitoring and Reporting Program Performance,'' with the exception of
State and local governments to which 45 CFR part 92, Subpart C
reporting requirements apply. Also, grantees must be prepared to
collaborate with other grantees on the design and implementation of
project evaluations which may include multi-site evaluation studies.
Public Health System Reporting Requirements
This program is subject to the Public Health System Reporting
Requirements which have been approved by the Office of Management and
Budget under No. 0937-0195. Under these requirements, any community-
based, non-governmental applicant must prepare and submit a Public
Health System Impact Statement (PHSIS). The PHSIS is intended to keep
State and local health officials apprised of proposed health services
grant applications submitted from within their jurisdictions.
Community-based, non-governmental applicants are required to
submit, no later than the Federal due date for receipt of the
application, the following information to the administrator of the
State and local AIDS programs in the area(s) to be impacted by the
proposal: (a) A copy of the face page of the application (SF424); and,
(b) a summary of the project (PHSIS), not to exceed one page, which
provides: (1) A description of the population to be served; (2) a
summary of the services to be provided; and, (3) a description of the
coordination planned with the appropriate State or local health
agencies. Copies of the letters forwarding the PHSIS to these
authorities must be contained in the application materials submitted to
this program.
Certification Regarding Environmental Tobacco Smoke
The Public Health Service strongly encourages all grant and
contract
[[Page 58074]]
recipients to provide a smoke-free workplace and to 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.
Executive Order 12372
The Special Projects of National Significance Program has been
determined to be a program subject to the provisions of Executive Order
12372, as implemented by 45 CFR part 100. Executive Order 12372 allows
States the option of setting up a system for reviewing applications
from within their States for assistance under certain Federal programs.
The application packages to be made available under this notice will
contain a listing of States which have chosen to set up a review system
and will provide a State Single Point of Contact (SPOC) in the State
for review. Applicants (other than Federally recognized Indian tribes)
should contact their SPOCs 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 of each affected State. The
due date for State process recommendations is 60 days after the
appropriate deadline dates. The Health Resources and Services
Administration does not guarantee that it will accommodate or explain
its responses to State process recommendations received after the due
date. (See ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs,'' Executive
Order 12372, and 45 CFR part 100, for a description of the review
process and requirements.)
OMB Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
The OMB Number for Special Projects of National Significance is
93.928.
Dated: November 5, 1996.
Ciro V. Sumaya,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 96-28933 Filed 11-8-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-15-P