[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 229 (Tuesday, November 26, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60110-60111]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-30061]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Notice of a Cooperative Agreement With the ASPIRA Association, 
Inc.

    The Office of Minority Health (OMH), Office of Public Health and 
Science, announces that it will enter into an umbrella cooperative 
agreement with The ASPIRA Association, Inc., National Office (ASPIRA). 
This cooperative agreement will establish the broad programmatic 
framework within which specific projects can be funded as they are 
identified during the project period.
    The purpose of this cooperative agreement is to assist the national 
association in expanding and enhancing its activities relevant to 
education, health promotion and disease prevention, and family and 
youth violence prevention with the ultimate goal of improving the 
health status of minorities and disadvantaged people. The OMH will 
provide consultation, including administrative and technical assistance 
as needed, for the execution and evaluation of all aspects of this 
cooperative agreement. The OMH will also participate and/or collaborate 
with the awardee in any workshops or symposia to exchange current 
information, opinions, and research findings.

Authorizing Legislation

    This cooperative agreement is authorized under Title XVII, Section 
1707(d)(1) of the Public Health Service Act, as amended by Public Law 
101-527.

Background

    Assistance will be provided only to ASPIRA. No other applications 
are solicited. ASPIRA is the only organization capable of administering 
this cooperative agreement because it has:
    1. Developed, expanded, and managed an infrastructure to coordinate 
and implement various educational programs within local communities and 
organizations that deal extensively with Hispanic issues. The 
association established national initiatives--i.e., National Health 
Careers Program, Community Mobilization for Educational Excellence, MAS 
Academy, and Public Policy Leadership Program--that provide a 
foundation upon which to develop, promote, and manage education and 
health-related programs aimed at preventing and reducing unnecessary 
morbidity and mortality rates among Hispanic populations.
    2. Established itself and its members as a national association 
with professionals who serve as leaders and experts in planning, 
developing, implementing, and promoting educational and policy 
campaigns (locally and nationally) aimed at reducing adverse health 
behaviors and improving the Hispanic community's overall educational 
and social well being.
    3. Assessed and evaluated data, through its Institute for Policy 
Research and its National Health Careers Program, on the current 
education, violence and health-related findings relevant to Hispanics 
and other populations for dissemination to its associate members, 
collaborators, funders, and the general public.
    4. Developed a national association whose members consist of 
professionals with excellent performance records and established 
linkages to the Hispanic population at the national and local level.
    5. Developed a base of critical knowledge, skills, and abilities 
related to serving Hispanic clients with a range of health and social 
problems. Through the collective efforts of its associate members, 
community-based organizations, volunteers, and former ``Aspirantes,'' 
ASPIRA has demonstrated (1) the ability to work with academic 
institutions and health groups on mutual education, research, and 
health endeavors relating to the goal of health promotion and disease 
prevention of Hispanics, (2) the leadership necessary to attract 
minority students into public service and health careers, and (3) the 
leadership needed to assist health care professionals to work

[[Page 60111]]

more effectively with Hispanic clients and communities.
    6. Developed an information management system to track programmatic 
outcomes and evaluate best practices for future dissemination.
    This cooperative agreement will be awarded in FY 1997 for a 12-
month budget period within a project period of 3 years. Continuation 
awards within the project period will be made on the basis of 
satisfactory progress and the availability of funds.

Where To Obtain Additional Information

    If you are interested in obtaining additional information regarding 
this project, contact Ms. Cynthia Amis, Office of Minority Health, 5515 
Security Lane, Suite 1000, Rockville, Maryland 20852 or telephone (301) 
594-0769.

    Dated: November 6, 1996.
Clay E. Simpson, Jr.,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Minority Health.
[FR Doc. 96-30061 Filed 11-25-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-17-M