[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 250 (Wednesday, December 31, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68292-68293]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-34070]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES


Notice of a Cooperative Agreement With the Association of 
Hispanic Colleges and Universities

    The Office of Minority Health (OMH), Office of Public Health and 
Science, announces that it will enter into an umbrella cooperative 
agreement with the Association of Hispanic Colleges and Universities 
(HACU). 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 HACU to 
expand and exchange its activities relevant to health issues affecting 
the Hispanic community in areas such as development of member colleges 
and universities, improving access to and the quality of postsecondary 
educational opportunities for Hispanic students, and meeting the needs 
of business, industry, health and government through linkages and 
expertise. It is anticipated that future activities will focus on 
programs and policies aimed at improving the overall educational and 
health status of Hispanics in order to eliminate the educational gaps 
which exist between Hispanics and others. OMH will provide 
consultation, including administrative and technical assistance as 
needed, for the execution and evaluation of all aspects of this 
cooperative 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 Section 1707(d)(1) 
of the Public Health Service Act.

Background

    Recognizing the importance of the educational needs of our Nation's 
Hispanic community, President Clinton signed Executive Order 12900, 
Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans, on February 22, 1994. 
This Executive Order set in motion a process for interagency 
collaboration to identify and correct the shortcomings of the 
educational system serving Hispanic Americans. In keeping with the 
intent of the Executive Order, the Office of Minority Health will enter 
into a cooperative agreement with HACU.
    Assistance will be provided only to the Hispanic Association of 
Colleges and Universities. HACU is the national association of 
institutions of higher education representing 127 Hispanic-serving 
institutions (HSI), specifically nonprofit, accredited colleges and 
universities where Hispanic students constitute a minimum of 25% of the 
total enrollment. No other applications are solicited. HACU is the only 
organization capable of administering this cooperative agreement 
because it:
    1. Developed and established an infrastructure to coordinate and 
implement various educational program initiatives to support activities 
of HSIs of higher education;
    2. Established the information sharing capability among the HSIs 
and adapted for the development of policy recommendations for 
legislators and policy makers in government, corporations, foundations, 
and the media;
    3. Provides technical assistance and other support to member 
institutions to obtain grants, contracts, and other financial support;
    4. Sponsors national workshops, seminars and conferences on topics 
specific to the concerned institutions, targeting those activities 
which enhance Hispanic students and aiding their successful graduation 
rates;
    5. Provides a specialized research capability in organizational 
characteristics and factors which contribute to Hispanic educational 
success;
    6. Established memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with the 
Department of Commerce, Interior, Transportation, Energy, and 
Agriculture, as well as with the U.S. Coast Guard, the Federal Aviation 
Administration, and Bureau of Land Management, thereby creating 
partnerships with Federal agencies to diversify their work force;
    7. Demonstrated experience in assisting Federal agencies to partner 
with HSIs to operate a National Internship Program for Hispanic college 
students; and

[[Page 68293]]

    8. Has extensive experience in managing a Hispanic Education 
Leadership Fund for Hispanic students.
    This cooperative agreement will be awarded in FY 1998 for a 12-
month budget period within a project period of 5 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 Guadalupe Pacheco, Office of Minority Health, 
5515 Security Lane, Suite 1000, Rockville, Maryland 20852 or telephone 
(301) 443-5084.

    Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance Number. The CFDA number 
is 93.004

    Dated: December 17, 1997.
Clay E. Simpson, Jr.,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Minority Health.
[FR Doc. 97-34070 Filed 12-30-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-17-M