[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 40 (Monday, March 2, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10230-10231]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-5232]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Office of the Secretary


Notice of a Cooperative Agreement With the National Asian Pacific 
American Families Against Substance Abuse, 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 National Asian Pacific American Families Against 
Substance Abuse, Inc. (NAPAFASA). This cooperative agreement is an 
umbrella cooperative agreement and will establish the broad framework 
in which specific projects can be supported by various agencies during 
the project period.
    The purpose of this cooperative agreement is to assist NAPAFASA to 
expand and enhance its activities in the prevention and treatment of 
substance abuse and its related harmful effects among Asian American 
and Pacific Islander populations. Through its advocacy, educational and 
technical assistance programs, NAPAFASA addresses such issues as access 
to health care, cultural competency, youth health issues, service 
delivery, mental health, and disease prevention and health promotion. 
It is anticipated that future activities will focus on programs and 
policies aimed at improving the overall health status of Asian 
Americans and Pacific Islanders in order to eliminate the health gaps 
which exist between Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders 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

    Assistance will be provided only to the NAPAFASA. No other 
applications are solicited. NAPAFASA is the only organization capable 
of administering this cooperative agreement because it:
    1. Established an infrastructure to coordinate and implement 
various health promotion and disease prevention programs within local 
communities and service delivery organizations that deal extensively 
with Asian American and Pacific Islander substance abuse and mental 
health issues. The NAPAFASA network, which is compose of about 500 
individual and organizational members, extends across the continental 
United States, Hawaii, Alaska and the six island jurisdictions in the 
Pacific (i.e., American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana 
Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Republic of the Marshal 
Islands, and the Republic of Palau).
    2. Established itself as an organization with Asian American and 
Pacific Islander professionals who serve as leaders and experts in the 
advocacy, research, development and promotion of policies, health 
education programs, and data collection and dissemination efforts which 
are aimed at reducing excessive mortality and adverse health behaviors 
among Asian American and Pacific Islander populations.
    3. Maintains information sharing capacity among Asian American and 
Pacific Islander service organizations to develop and implement 
comprehensive national strategies that address substance abuse and 
related health problems of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. 
NAPAFASA provides a computerized electronic mail LISTServ which offers 
subscribers regularly updated substance abuse and mental health 
information related to Asian American and Pacific Islander populations.
    4. Provides technical assistance, capacity building and other 
support to member organizations in applying for federal and other 
funds, improving local programs, and sharing the experiences of 
successful programs within Asian American and Pacific Islander 
communities.
    5. Sponsors national and regional workshops, seminars and 
conferences to promote improved understanding among professionals, 
service providers and community representatives of Asian American and 
Pacific Islander cultures and their relationship to a wide range of 
health concerns, including alcohol, tobacco and other drug use.
    6. Provides specialized research and consultations to State and 
Federal government agencies, and public and private organizations on 
the incidence and prevalence of substance abuse among Asian Americans 
and Pacific Islanders, and planning, assessment and evaluation of 
substance abuse prevention and treatment services for this population.
    7. Collaborates and forms partnerships with national and regional 
substance abuse prevention organizations in order to address the 
growing substance abuse problems in

[[Page 10231]]

this country, related consequences such as gang and domestic violence, 
mental health, HIV/AIDS, and crime, and impact on minority communities.
    8. Participates on advisory committees and boards of the following 
coalitions: National Drug Prevention League, American Foundation for 
Drug Prevention, Recovery Network, Asian Pacific Partnership for 
Empowerment and Leadership, National Parents Initiative Collaborative, 
and the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans.
    9. Developed a base of critical knowledge, skills, and abilities 
related to serving Asian American and Pacific Islander clients with a 
range of health and social problems. Through the collective efforts of 
its members, its affiliated community-based organizations, sponsored 
research, and sponsored health education and prevention programs, 
NAPAFASA has demonstrated (1) the ability to work with academic 
institutions and official health agencies on mutual education, service, 
and research endeavors relating to the goals of disease prevention and 
health promotion of minorities and disadvantaged peoples, and (2) the 
leadership needed to assist health care professionals to work more 
effectively with Asian American and Pacific Islander clients and 
communities.
    This cooperative agreement will be awarded in FY 1998 for a 12-
month budget period within a project period of 5 years. Depending upon 
the types of projects and the availability of funds, it is anticipated 
that this cooperative agreement will receive approximately $50,000 to 
$100,000. 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 Regina Lee, Office of Minority Health, 5515 
Security Lane, Suite 1000, Rockville, Maryland 20852 or telephone (301) 
443-9924.

    The Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance number is 93.004.

    Dated: January 28, 1998.
Clay E. Simpson, Jr.,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Minority Health.
[FR Doc. 98-5232 Filed 2-27-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-17-M