[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 92 (Wednesday, May 13, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26610-26614]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-12644]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
[Program Announcement 98054]


Programs for the Prevention of Fire Related Injuries; Notice of 
Availability of Funds for Fiscal Year 1998

Introduction

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), announces the 
availability of fiscal year (FY) 1998 funds for cooperative agreements 
for programs to prevent fire related injuries.
    CDC is committed to achieving the health promotion and disease 
prevention objectives of ``Healthy People 2000,'' a national activity 
to reduce morbidity and mortality and improve the quality of life. This 
announcement is related to the priority area of Unintentional Injuries. 
(For ordering a copy of ``Healthy People 2000,'' see the Section 
``WHERE TO OBTAIN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.'')

Authority

    This program announcement is authorized under Sections 301, 317, 
and 391A (42 U.S.C. 241, 247b, and 280b-280b-3) of the Public Health 
Service Act as amended.

Smoke-Free Workplace

    CDC strongly encourages all grant recipients to provide a smoke-
free workplace and to promote the nonuse of all tobacco products, and 
Public Law 103-227, the Pro-Children Act of 1994, prohibits smoking in 
certain facilities that receive Federal funds in which education, 
library, day care, health care, and early childhood development 
services are provided to children.

Eligible Applicants

    Eligible applicants are the official State public health agencies 
or their bona fide agents. This includes the District of Columbia, 
American Samoa, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, 
the Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, 
the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau.
    Applicants funded under Program Announcement 780 are eligible to 
apply under this Announcement. The proposed target areas for this 
Announcement must be different than those currently being funded by 
CDC.

    Note: Effective January 1, 1996, Public Law 104-65 states that 
an organization described in section 501(c)(4) of the Internal 
Revenue Code of 1986 which engages in lobbying activities shall not 
be eligible to receive Federal funds constituting an award, grant 
(cooperative agreement), contract, loan, or any other form.

Availability of Funds

    Approximately $2,000,000 is available in FY 1998 to fund 11 to 13 
awards, ranging from $150,000 to $170,000. It is expected that the 
award will begin on or about September 30, 1998, and will be made for a 
12-month budget period within a project period of up to 3 years. 
Funding estimates may vary and are subject to change.
    Continuation awards within the project period will be made on the 
basis of satisfactory progress and the availability of funds.

Restrictions on Lobbying

    Applicants should be aware of restrictions on the use of HHS funds 
for lobbying of Federal or State legislative bodies. Under the 
provisions of 31 U.S.C. Section 1352 (which has been in effect since 
December 23, 1989), recipients (and their subtier contractors) are 
prohibited from using appropriated Federal funds (other than profits 
from a Federal contract) for lobbying Congress or any Federal agency in 
connection with the award of a particular contract, grant, cooperative 
agreement, or loan. This includes grants/cooperative agreements that, 
in whole or in part, involve conferences for which Federal funds cannot 
be used directly or indirectly to encourage participants to lobby or to 
instruct participants on how to lobby.
    In addition, the FY 1998 Department of Labor, Health and Human 
Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act 
(Public Law 105-78) states in Section 503 (a) and (b) that no part of 
any appropriation contained in this Act shall be used, other than for 
normal and recognized executive-legislative relations, for publicity or 
propaganda purposes, for the preparation, distribution, or use of any 
kit, pamphlet, booklet, publication, radio, television, or video 
presentation designed to support or defeat legislation pending before 
the Congress or any State legislature, except in presentation to the 
Congress or any State legislature itself. No part of any appropriation 
contained in this Act shall be used to pay the salary or expenses of 
any grant or contract recipient, or agent acting for such recipient, 
related to any activity designed to influence legislation or 
appropriations pending before the Congress or any State legislature.

[[Page 26611]]

Prohibition on Use of CDC Funds for Certain Gun Control Activities

    The Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, 
and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1998 specifies that: ``None of 
the funds made available for injury prevention and control at the 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) may be used to 
advocate or promote gun control.
    Anti-Lobbying Act requirements prohibit lobbying Congress with 
appropriated Federal monies. Specifically, this Act prohibits the use 
of Federal funds for direct or indirect communications intended or 
designed to influence a Member of Congress with regard to specific 
Federal legislation. This prohibition includes the funding and 
assistance of public grassroots campaigns intended or designed to 
influence Members of Congress with regard to specific legislation or 
appropriation by Congress.
    In addition to the restrictions in the Anti-Lobbying Act, CDC 
interprets the new language in the CDC's 1998 Appropriations Act to 
mean that CDC's funds may not be spent on political action or other 
activities designed to affect the passage of specific Federal, State, 
or local legislation intended to restrict or control the purchase or 
use of firearms.

Background

    In 1995, there were an estimated 414,000 home fires in the United 
States, which killed 3,640 individuals (1.4/100,000) and injured an 
additional 18,650 people. Accordingly, a Healthy People 2000 objective 
is the reduction of residential fire deaths to no more than 1.2 per 
100,000 people by the Year 2000. Direct property damage caused by these 
fires exceeded $4.2 billion. In 1994, the monetary equivalent of all 
fire deaths and injuries, including deaths and injuries to fire 
fighters, was estimated at $14.8 billion.
    Residential fire deaths occur disproportionately in the 
southeastern States. They also occur disproportionately during the 
winter months of December-February, a period during which more than 
one-third of home fires occur, compared to one-sixth in the summer 
months of June-August. Many subgroups within the population remain 
highly vulnerable to fire morbidity and mortality. The rate of death 
due to fire is higher among the poor, minorities, children under age 5, 
adults over age 65, low-income communities in remote rural areas or in 
poor urban communities, and among individuals living in manufactured 
homes built before 1976, when the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban 
Development construction safety standards became effective. Other risk 
factors for fire-related deaths include:
     Inoperative smoke alarms,
     Careless smoking,
     Abuse of alcohol or other drugs,
     Incorrect use of alternative heating sources including 
usage of devices inappropriate or insufficient for the space to be 
heated,
     Inadequate supervision of children, and
     Insufficient fire safety education.
    The majority of fire-related fatalities occur in fires that start 
at night while occupants are asleep, a time when effective detection 
and alerting systems are of special importance. Operable smoke alarms 
on every level provide the residents of a burning home with sufficient 
advance warning for escape from nearly all types of fires. If a fire 
occurs, homes with functional smoke alarms are half as likely to have a 
death occur as homes without smoke alarms. As a result, operable 
residential smoke alarms can be highly effective in preventing fire-
related deaths. It is important to understand that any smoke alarm--
whether ionization or photoelectric, AC or battery powered--will offer 
adequate warning for escape, provided that the alarm is listed by an 
independent testing laboratory and is properly installed and 
maintained.
    For Residential Fire Injury Prevention Programs the definition for 
high-risk target populations is a community (an area with no more than 
50,000 people) or geographic area known to have: (1) a high prevalence 
of residential fire deaths, and (2) a composition of primarily low-
income residents.
    Community organizations for project collaboration may include 
churches, Salvation Army, Boy/Girl Scouts, Goodwill Industries, ethnic 
organizations, Meals on Wheels, National Guard, International 
Association of Black Fire Fighters, American Red Cross, SAFE KIDS 
Coalitions, thrift stores/charitable organizations, Area Agency on 
Aging, Senior Centers, private sector businesses, and Social clubs/
community centers serving the target populations. This list is not 
exhaustive, as each community differs in their social make-up.

Purpose

    The purpose of this cooperative agreement is to prevent fire-
related injuries through the distribution and installation of smoke 
alarms in high-risk homes that do not have adequate smoke alarm 
coverage.

Cooperative Activities

    In conducting activities to achieve the purpose of this program, 
the recipient will be responsible for the activities under A. 
(Recipient Activities), and CDC will be responsible for the activities 
listed under B. (CDC Activities).

A. Recipient Activities

    1. Identify a minimum of two different communities with fire 
mortality and fire incidence rates above the State averages and mean 
household income below the poverty line.
    2. In Year 01 implement the project in the identified targeted 
communities. Continue to run the project in all identified targeted 
communities during Years 02 and 03.
    3. Provide program management oversight in collaboration with the 
local public health agencies in the identified targeted communities. 
Identify coordinators at the State and local levels.
    4. Mobilize a minimum of three community organizations which 
already serve the target populations to provide education on fire 
safety and to distribute smoke alarms appropriate to residents' needs, 
(i.e. strobe-lighted for visually impaired persons, high-pitched for 
hearing impaired persons, etc.).
    5. Collaborate with fire departments, firefighter associations, and 
fire safety coalitions at the local level.
    6. Distribute appropriate alarms, as specific needs are identified, 
in communities with the highest rates of residential fire injury and 
death.
    7. Facilitate installation of smoke alarms, as requested by 
residents, through collaboration with fire safety personnel and/or 
community workers who are trained in fire safety education, proper 
installation and placement of smoke alarms, adequate number of alarms 
for each home, smoke alarm maintenance and testing, fire escape 
planning and practice, etc.
    8. Develop an evaluation plan that includes a comparison of pre-and 
post-intervention residential fire incidence, injuries, and deaths in 
intervention communities. Evaluation plan should include, as a minimum, 
follow-up assessment in each intervention community to determine the 
continued presence and functionality of program-installed smoke alarms.
    9. Establish a system to track smoke alarms distributed by the 
program.

B. CDC Activities

    1. Provide technical consultation on program planning, 
implementation, and evaluation methods.

[[Page 26612]]

    2. Establish communication mechanisms among participating States by 
facilitating the transfer of technical and programmatic information and 
delivery methodology.
    3. Provide technical assistance for management of program 
operations, including the application of continuous quality 
improvement.
    4. Conduct ongoing assessment of program activities to ensure the 
use of effective and efficient implementation strategies.
    5. Facilitate collaborative efforts to compile and disseminate 
program results through presentations and publications.

Technical Reporting Requirements

    An original and two copies of semiannual progress reports (and an 
electronic copy submitted by electronic mail to the project officer) 
are required of all awardees. Time lines for the reports will be 
established at the time of award. Final financial status and 
performance reports are required no later than 90 days after the end of 
the project period. All reports will be submitted to the Grants 
Management Branch, Procurement and Grants Office, CDC.
    Semiannual progress reports should include:
    A. A brief, updated program description, and a one-page summary of 
bi-annual activities.
    B. A status report on accomplishment of program goals and 
objectives, accompanied by a comparison of the actual accomplishments 
related to the goals and objectives established for the period. Include 
target population, intervention activities, collaborations, and 
progress on evaluation plan.
    C. If established goals and objectives were not accomplished or 
were delayed, describe the reason for the deviation, the recommendation 
for corrective action or deletion of the activity, and lessons learned.
    D. Other pertinent information, including changes in staffing, 
contractors, or partners.

Application Content

    Each application, including appendices, should not exceed 70 pages 
and the Proposal; Narrative section should not exceed 30 pages. Pages 
should be clearly numbered and a complete index to the application and 
any appendices included. The project narrative section must be double-
spaced. The original and each copy of the application must be submitted 
unstapled and unbound. All materials must be typewritten, double-
spaced, with unreduced type (font size 10 point or greater) on 8-\1/
2\'' by 11'' paper, with at least 1'' margins, headers and footers, and 
printed on one side only.
    The applicant should provide a detailed description of first-year 
activities and briefly describe future year objectives and activities.
    The application must include:

A. Abstract

    A one page abstract and summary of the proposed program.

B. Background and Need:

    Describe and quantify the magnitude of the residential fire problem 
within the State, providing background information that highlights the 
need for a residential fire prevention (smoke alarm promotion) program. 
Identify populations at risk based on analysis of residential fire 
data, including demographics of the State compared to the targeted 
communities.

C. Goals and Objectives:

    Specify overall goals the applicant anticipates accomplishing by 
the end of the three-year project period. Include specific time-framed, 
measurable and achievable objectives which can be accomplished during 
the first budget period. Objectives should relate directly to the 
project goal to increasing the prevalence of functional smoke alarms in 
targeted communities.

D. Methods:

    Describe how the residential fire injury prevention program will be 
implemented in the applicant's setting. Describe activities at the 
State and local levels that are designed to achieve each of the program 
objectives during the budget period. A time line should be included 
which indicates when each activity will occur and the assigned staff 
for each proposed activity. Include an organizational chart identifying 
placement of the residential fire-related injury prevention program. 
Describe how pre-and post-intervention residential fire incidence data 
will be compared as well as plans for conducting analyses. Provide a 
description of plans to educate residents in target communities on fire 
safety and smoke alarm installation and testing. Describe how records 
of smoke alarm distribution and promotional activities will be 
maintained and provided to the State coordinator.
    Women, Racial and Ethnic Minorities. A description of the proposed 
plan for the inclusion of both sexes and racial and ethnic minority 
populations for appropriate representation.

E. Evaluation:

    Provide a detailed description of the methods and design to 
evaluate program effectiveness, including what will be evaluated, data 
to be used, and the time frame. Document staff availability, expertise, 
and capacity to evaluate program activities and effectiveness, and 
demonstrate evaluation data availability. Evaluation should include 
progress in meeting the objectives and conducting activities on 
residential smoke alarm programs (process evaluation measures), and 
increasing residential smoke alarm prevalence and functionality 
(outcome measures).

F. Capacity and Staffing:

    Describe the roles and responsibilities of the State Project 
Coordinator and each Local Program Coordinator. Provide letters of 
support from partnering agencies, sub-contractors, and consultants, 
documenting their concurrence and/or specific involvement in proposed 
program activities. Describe how a coalition of appropriate 
individuals, agencies, and grass root organizations will be organized 
to generate community input and support for smoke alarm promotion 
campaigns. Provide a description of the relationship between the 
program and community organizations, agencies, and health department 
units that are collaborating to implement the program. Specifically, 
identify and describe the role of State and/or local coalitions and 
their individual commitments. Letters of support from public safety 
officials should also be included if related activities are undertaken. 
Describe previous experience in implementing injury prevention 
programs, demonstrating the capacity to conduct a residential fire 
prevention program.

G. Budget and Accompanying Justification:

    Provide a detailed budget with accompanying narrative justifying 
all individual budget items, which make up the total amount of funds 
requested. The budget should be consistent with stated objectives and 
planned activities. The budget should include funds for two trips to 
Atlanta by the State Project Coordinator and one trip for 2 Local 
Program Coordinators for skill building.

H. Human Subjects:

    This section must describe the degree to which human subjects may 
be at risk and the assurance that the project will be subject to 
initial and continuing review by the appropriate institutional review 
committees.

[[Page 26613]]

Evaluation Criteria

    Applications will be reviewed and evaluated according to the 
following criteria:

1. Background and Need (30 Percent)

    The extent to which the applicant describes the magnitude of the 
residential fire injury problem in the State, and the extent to which 
low-income communities within the State are affected. Describe how the 
likely results of proposed activities will impact the problem.

2. Goals and Objectives (15 Percent)

    The extent to which the goals and objectives are relevant to the 
purpose of the proposal, feasible for accomplishment during the project 
period, measurable, and specific in terms of what is to be done and the 
time involved. The extent to which the objectives address all 
activities necessary to accomplish the purpose of the proposal.

3. Methods (30 Percent)

    The extent to which the applicant provides a detailed description 
of proposed activities, which are likely to achieve program goals and 
objectives, including individuals responsible for each action. The 
extent to which the applicant provides a reasonable and complete 
schedule for implementing activities. The extent to which position 
descriptions, lines of command, and collaborations are appropriate to 
accomplish program goals and objectives. The degree to which the 
applicant has met the CDC Policy requirements regarding the inclusion 
of women, ethnic, and racial groups in the proposed project. This 
includes: (a) The proposed plan for the inclusion of both sexes and 
racial and ethnic minority populations for appropriate representation; 
(b) The proposed justification when representation is limited or 
absent; (c) A statement as to whether the design of the study is 
adequate to measure differences when warranted; and (d) A statement as 
to whether the plans for recruitment and outreach for study 
participants include the process of establishing partnerships with 
community(ies) and recognition of mutual benefits will be documented.

4. Evaluation (15 Percent)

    The extent to which the proposed evaluation plan is detailed and 
will document program implementation strategies and results (i.e. 
process and outcome objectives). The extent to which the applicant 
demonstrates staff and/or collaborator availability, expertise, and 
capacity to perform the evaluation.

5. Capacity and Staffing (10 Percent)

    The extent to which the applicant can provide adequate facilities, 
staff and/or collaborators, and resources to accomplish the proposed 
goals and objectives during the project period. The extent to which the 
applicant demonstrates staff and/or collaborator availability, 
expertise, previous experience, and capacity to conduct the program 
successfully.

6. Budget and Justification (not scored)

    The extent to which the applicant provides a detailed budget and 
narrative justification consistent with the stated objectives and 
planned program activities.

7. Human Subjects (not scored)

    The extent to which the applicant complies with the Department of 
Health and Human Services Regulations (45 CFR Part 46)

Executive Order 12372

    Applications are subject to Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs as governed by Executive Order (E.O.) 12372. E.O. 12372 sets 
up a system for State and local government review of proposed Federal 
assistance applications. Applicants (other than federally recognized 
Indian tribal governments) should contact their State Single Point of 
Contact (SPOC) 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. A 
current list of SPOCs is included in the application kit. If SPOCs have 
any State process recommendations on applications submitted to CDC, 
they should forward them to Ron Van Duyne, III, Grants Management 
Officer, ATTN: Joanne Wojcik, Grants Management Branch, Procurement and 
Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 255 
East Paces Ferry Road, NE., Room 300, Mailstop E-13, Atlanta, GA 30305, 
no later than 60 days after the application deadline. The granting 
agency does not guarantee to ``accommodate or explain'' for State 
process recommendations it receives after that date.

Public Health System Reporting Requirements

    This program is not subject to the Public Health System Reporting 
Requirements.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number

    The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number for this 
project is 93.136.

Other Requirements

Human Subjects Requirements

    If a project involves research on human subjects, assurance (in 
accordance with Department of Health and Human Services Regulations, 45 
CFR Part 46) of the protection of human subjects is required. In 
addition to other applicable committees, Indian Health Service (IHS) 
institutional review committees also must review the project if any 
component of IHS will be involved with or will support the research. If 
any American Indian community is involved, its Tribal government must 
also approve that portion of the project applicable to it. Unless the 
grantee holds a Multiple Project Assurance, a Single Project Assurance 
is required, as well as an assurance for each subcontractor or 
cooperating institution that has immediate responsibility for human 
subjects.
    The Office for Protection from Research Risks (OPRR) at the 
National Institutes of Health (NIH) negotiates assurances for all 
activities involving human subjects that are supported by the 
Department of Health and Human Services.

Requirements for Inclusion of Women and Racial and Ethnic

    Minorities in Research
    It is the policy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 
(CDC) and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) 
to ensure that individuals of both sexes and the various racial and 
ethnic groups will be included in CDC/ATSDR-supported research projects 
involving human subjects, whenever feasible and appropriate. Racial and 
ethnic groups are those defined in OMB Directive No. 15 and include 
American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Black or African American, 
Hispanic or Latino, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander. 
Applicants shall ensure that women, racial and ethnic minority 
populations are appropriately represented in applications for research 
involving human subjects. Where clear and compelling rationale exist 
that inclusion is inappropriate or not feasible, this situation must be 
explained as part of the application. This policy does not apply to 
research studies when the investigator cannot control the race, 
ethnicity, and/or sex of subjects. Further

[[Page 26614]]

guidance to this policy is contained in the Federal Register, Vol. 60, 
No. 179, pages 47947-47951, and dated Friday, September 15, 1995.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    Projects that involve the collection of information from 10 or more 
individuals and funded by the cooperative agreement will be subject to 
review by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the Paperwork 
Reduction Act.

Application Submission and Deadline

    The original and two copies of the application PHS Form 5161-1 
(Revised 7/92, OMB Control number 0937-0189) must be submitted to 
Joanne Wojcik, Grants Management Specialist, Grants Management Branch, 
Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention (CDC), 255 East Paces Ferry Road, NE., Room 300, Mailstop E-
13, Atlanta, GA 30305, on or before July 14, 1998.
    1. Deadline: Applications shall be considered as meeting the 
deadline if they are either:
    a. Received on or before the deadline date; or
    b. Sent on or before the deadline date and received in time for 
submission to the independent review committee. For proof of timely 
mailing, applicant must request a legibly dated U.S. Postal Service 
postmark or obtain a legibly dated receipt from a commercial carrier or 
the U.S. Postal Service. Private metered postmarks will not be 
acceptable as proof of timely mailing.
    2. Late Applications: Applications that do not meet the criteria in 
1.a. or 1.b. above are considered late applications. Late applications 
will not be considered in the current competition and will be returned 
to the applicant.

Where To Obtain Additional Information

    The program announcement and application forms may be downloaded 
from internet: www.cdc.gov (look under funding). You may also receive a 
complete application kit by calling 1-888-GRANTS4. You will be asked to 
identify the program announcement number and provide your name and 
mailing address. A complete announcement kit will be mailed to you.
    If you have questions after reviewing the forms, for business 
management technical assistance contact Joanne Wojcik, Grants 
Management Specialist, Grants Management Branch, Procurement and Grants 
Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 255 East 
Paces Ferry Road, NE., Mailstop E-13, Atlanta, GA 30305, Internet: 
[email protected], telephone (404) 842-6535.
    Programmatic assistance may be obtained from Mark Jackson, R.S., 
National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention (CDC), 4770 Buford Highway, NE., Mailstop K-63, 
Atlanta, GA 30341-3724, telephone (770) 488-4652.
    Please refer to Announcement 98054 when requesting information and 
submitting an application.
    The potential applicant 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) referenced in the 
INTRODUCTION through the Superintendent of Documents, Government 
Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402-9325, telephone (202) 512-1800.
    A copy of American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Number 
1292 may be obtained from ASTM, Customer Services, 1916 Race Street, 
Philadelphia, PA 19103-1187, telephone (215) 299-5585.

    Dated: May 7, 1998.
Joseph R. Carter,
Acting Associate Director for Management and Operations Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
[FR Doc. 98-12644 Filed 5-12-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P