[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]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------


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.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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