[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 244 (Wednesday, December 18, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 66669]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-32015]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES


Cooperative Agreement with the National Minority AIDS Council

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

Authorizing Legislation

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

Background

    Assistance will be provided only to the National Minority AIDS 
Council. No other applications are solicited. NMAC 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 HIV in each of the four racial 
and ethnic minority populations served by the Office of Minority 
Health. The Council established national initiatives--e.g., 
conferences, public policy education program (including policy forums), 
technical assistance programs and publications (including newsletters, 
action alerts and training manuals)--that provide a foundation upon 
which to develop, promote, and manage HIV-related education and health-
related programs aimed at preventing and reducing unnecessary morbidity 
and mortality and mortality rates among racial and ethnic minority 
populations.
    2. Established itself and its members as a national association of 
professionals who serve as leaders and experts in planning, developing, 
implementing, promoting and evaluating HIV-related education and policy 
campaigns, both nationally and locally, aimed at reducing the impact of 
HIV in minority populations and improving the minority community's 
overall well being.
    3. Developed a base of critical knowledge, skills, and abilities 
related to serving minority individuals and organizations with a range 
of HIV-related health and social problems. Through the collective 
efforts of its members, community-based organizations, and volunteers, 
NMAC has demonstrated (1) the ability to work with minority and non-
minority organizations, the Federal Government, academic institutions 
and health groups on mutually beneficial education, research, and 
health endeavors relating to the goal of health promotion and disease 
prevention among racial and ethic minority populations; (2) the 
national leadership necessary to focus the nation's attention on 
minority-related HIV issues; and (3) the leadership needed to assist 
health care professionals to work more effectively with racial/ethnic 
minority communities.
    4. Developed a national network of individuals, community-based 
organizations, and state, regional and national health and civil rights 
organizations committed to addressing the HIV prevention, service, 
treatment and research needs of individuals affected and infected by 
HIV and AIDS.
    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 Mr. Matthew Murguia, Office of Minority Health, 
5515 Security Lane, Suite 1000, Rockville, Maryland 20852 or telephone 
(301) 443-9923.
Clay E. Simpson, Jr.,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Minority Health.
[FR Doc. 96-32015 Filed 12-17-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-17-M