[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 112 (Thursday, June 11, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32011-32013]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-15541]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
[Program Announcement 98072]


The Evaluation of Interventions to Prevent Suicide

A. Purpose

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announces the 
availability of fiscal year (FY) 1998 funds for a cooperative agreement 
program for the Evaluation of Interventions to Prevent Suicide. This 
program addresses the ``Healthy People 2000'' priority area Violent and 
Abusive Behavior.
    The purpose of this cooperative agreement is to evaluate specific 
interventions that may influence one or more of the factors that lead 
to suicidal behavior among high-risk populations (see Addendum II--
Background for additional information included in the application kit).

B. Eligible Applicants

    Applications may be submitted by public and private nonprofit 
organizations and by governments and their agencies; that is, 
universities, colleges, research institutions, hospitals, other public 
and private nonprofit organizations, State and local governments or 
their bona fide agents.

    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.

C. Availability of Funds

    Approximately $400,000 is available in fiscal year 1998 to fund up 
to two awards. It is expected that projects completed in three years 
will have an average award of $200,000 and ranging from $175,000 to 
$225,000 per year. Awards will be made for a 12 month budget period 
within a three year project period.
    Non-competing continuation awards for new budget periods within an 
approved project period are made on the basis of satisfactory 
performance and availability of funds.

Funding Preferences

    In making awards, priority consideration will be given to ensuring 
a balance among types of interventions (e.g., peer support, gatekeeper 
training) and programs that target different high-risk populations 
(e.g., age groups, sex, race/ethnicity).

D. Cooperative Activities

    In conducting activities to achieve the purpose of this program, 
the recipient shall be responsible for the activities under 1., below, 
and CDC shall be responsible for the activities under 2., below:
    1. Recipient Activities:
    a. Develop a protocol for evaluating the specific intervention.
    b. Develop procedures for collecting and compiling information 
relevant to the proposed project.
    c. Develop and pilot test instruments for data collection.
    d. Establish goals and realistic, measurable, time-oriented 
objectives.
    e. Develop, implement, and evaluate the selected intervention.
    f. Compile and disseminate the results from the project.
    2. CDC Activities:
    a. Provide technical assistance in defining the target population.
    b. Collaborate in the design of all phases of the evaluation.
    c. Provide technical assistance in sharing information among the 
various evaluation projects awarded.
    d. Provide up-to-date scientific information about suicidal 
behavior prevention.
    e. Assist in the transfer of information and methods developed in 
these projects to other prevention programs.

E. Application Content

    Use the information in the Cooperative Activities, Other 
Requirements, Evaluation Criteria sections and the Errata Sheet 
(Addendum III), included in the application package to develop the 
application content. Your application will be evaluated on the criteria 
listed, so it is important to follow them in laying out your program 
plan.
    The narrative should be no more than 30 double-spaced pages, 
printed on one side, with one inch margins, and unreduced font (no 
smaller than 10 cpi).

F. Submission and Deadline

    Submit the original and five copies of PHS-398 (OMB Number 0925-
0001) and adhere to the instructions on the Errata Instruction Sheet 
for PHS 398. Forms are in the application kit.
    On or before August 4, 1998, submit to: Joanne Wojcik, Grants 
Management Specialist, Grants Management Branch, Procurement and Grants 
Office, Announcement 98072, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 
(CDC), 255 East Paces Ferry Road, NE., Room 300, Mailstop E-13, 
Atlanta, GA 30305-2209.
    If your application does not arrive in time for submission to the 
independent review group, it will not be considered in the current 
competition unless you can provide proof that you mailed it on or 
before the deadline (i.e., receipt from U.S. Postal Service or a 
commercial carrier; private metered postmarks are not acceptable).

G. Evaluation Criteria

    Each application will be evaluated individually against the 
following

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criteria by an independent review group appointed by CDC.
    Applicants will be evaluated according to the following criteria 
(Maximum of 100 total points):
1. Intervention Plan (35 Points)
a. Target Group
    The extent to which the target group is described and access to the 
target population is demonstrated. The extent to which the target group 
has a high incidence or prevalence of the risk factors to be influenced 
by the proposed intervention and the extent to which appropriate 
demographic and morbidity data are described. The extent to which 
youth, who are the direct or indirect target group, have a high 
incidence of interpersonal violence and violence-related injuries, 
disabilities, and deaths. The extent to which the applicant 
demonstrates a capability to achieve a sufficient level of 
participation by the target group in order to evaluate the intervention 
in an unbiased fashion. In addition, the degree to which the applicant 
has met the CDC/ATSDR policy requirements regarding the inclusion of 
women, ethnic, and racial groups in the proposed project. This 
includes:
    i. The proposed plan for the inclusion of both sexes and racial and 
ethnic minority populations for appropriate representation.
    ii. The proposed justification when representation is limited or 
absent.
    iii. A statement as to whether the design of the evaluation is 
adequate to measure differences when warranted.
    iv. A statement as to whether the plans for recruitment and 
outreach for intervention participants include the process of 
establishing partnerships with community(ies) and recognition of mutual 
benefits.
b. Intervention Description
    The extent to which the potential effectiveness of the intervention 
is theoretically justified and supported by epidemiologic, or social 
and behavioral research. The extent to which the intervention is 
feasible and can be expected to produce the expected results in the 
target group of interest. The extent to which the intervention, its 
implementation, the development of all necessary materials, and all 
necessary training are clearly described. The extent to which the 
desired outcomes are specified and definitions of measurable endpoints 
are provided (e.g., behavioral change, injury, disability, or death). 
The extent to which the setting in which the intervention is to be 
implemented is clearly described and shown to be adequate for reaching 
the target group and achieving the desired objectives. The status of 
all necessary measurement instruments or training materials must be 
described; if any of this material is not extant, methods and time 
frames for their development must be described. Necessary collaborators 
must be identified, and evidence of their ability and intention to 
participate must be supplied. The extent to which the proposed goals 
and objectives are clearly stated, time-phased, and measurable.
2. Evaluation Design and Analysis (35 Points)
    The extent to which the evaluation design and the data analysis 
plan are clearly described and are appropriate for the target group, 
intervention, data collection opportunities, and proposed project 
period. The extent to which the various threats to the validity of the 
evaluation are recognized and addressed. The extent to which the 
sampling methods, sample size estimates, power estimates, and attrition 
of the participating population are clarified. The extent to which data 
collection, data processing, and management activities are clearly 
described. The extent to which the major phases of the project are 
clearly presented and logically and realistically sequenced. The extent 
to which the proposed goals and objectives are clearly stated, time-
phased, and measurable.
3. Project Management and Staffing Plan (10 Points)
    The extent to which project management staff and their working 
partners are clearly described, appropriately assigned, and possess 
pertinent skills and experiences to conduct the project successfully to 
completion. The extent to which the applicant has arranged to involve 
appropriate researchers and other personnel who reflect the racial/
ethnic composition of the target group. The extent to which the 
applicant or a full working partner demonstrates the capacity and 
facilities to design, implement, and evaluate the proposed 
intervention.
4. Collaboration (20 Points)
    The extent to which the necessary partners are clearly described 
and their qualifications and intentions to participate explicitly 
stated. The extent to which the applicant provides proof of support 
(e.g., letters of support and/or memoranda of understanding) for 
proposed activities. The extent to which a full working partnership 
between a community-based organization, a university or other academic 
institution, and a State or local health department has been 
established for applicants seeking funds for a three year project 
period. Evidence must be provided that these funds do not duplicate 
already funded components of ongoing projects.
5. Human Subjects (Not Scored)
    If human subjects will be involved, how they will be protected, 
i.e., describe the review process which will govern their 
participation.
6. Proposed Budget (Not Scored)
    The extent to which the budget request is clearly explained, 
adequately justified, reasonable, sufficient for the proposed project 
activities, and consistent with the intended use of the cooperative 
agreement funds. Budgets should include costs for travel for two 
project staff to attend two meetings per year in Atlanta with CDC 
staff.

H. Other Requirements

Technical Reporting Requirements

    Provide CDC with original plus two copies of:
    1. Semi-annual progress reports.
    2. Financial status report, no more than 90 days after the end of 
the budget period.
    3. Final financial status report and performance report, no more 
than 90 days after the end of the project period.

Confidentiality of Records

    All identifying information obtained in connection with the 
provision of services to any person in any program that is being 
carried out with a cooperative agreement made under this announcement 
shall not be disclosed unless required by a law of a State or political 
subdivision unless written, voluntary informed consent is provided by 
persons who received services.
    1. Nonpersonal identifying, unlinked information, which preserves 
the individual's anonymity, derived from any such program may be 
disclosed without consent:
    a. In summary, statistical, or other similar form, or
    b. For clinical or research purposes.
    2. Personal identifying information: Recipients of CDC funds who 
must obtain and retain personal identifying information as part of 
their CDC-approved work plan must:
    a. Maintain the physical security of such records and information 
at all times;
    b. Have procedures in place and staff trained to prevent 
unauthorized disclosure of client-identifying information;

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    c. Obtain informed client consent by explaining the risks of 
disclosure and the recipient's policies and procedures for preventing 
unauthorized disclosure;
    d. Provide written assurance to this effect including copies of 
relevant policies; and
    e. Obtain assurances of confidentiality by agencies to which 
referrals are made.
    Assurance of compliance with these and other processes to protect 
the confidentiality of information will be required of all recipients. 
A Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) certificate of 
confidentiality may be required for some projects.
    The following additional requirements are applicable to this 
program. For a complete description of each, see Addendum I (included 
in the application kit).

AR98-1  Human Subjects Requirements
AR98-2  Requirements for Inclusion of Women and Racial and Ethnic 
Minorities in Research
AR98-9  Paperwork Reduction Act Requirements
AR98-10  Smoke-Free Workplace Requirements
AR98-11  Healthy People 2000
AR98-12  Lobbying Restrictions
AR98-13  Prohibition on Use of CDC Funds for Certain Gun Control 
Activities
    Send all reports 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 30305-2209.

I. Authority and Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number

    This program announcement is authorized under Sections 391, 392, 
393, and 394 [42 U.S.C. 280b, 280b-1, 280b-1a, and 280b-2] of the 
Public Health Service Act, as amended. The Catalog of Federal Domestic 
Assistance number is 93.136.

J. Where to Obtain Additional Information

    The program announcement and application forms may be downloaded 
from the 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.
    Please refer to Program Announcement 98072 when you request 
information.
    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, Announcement 98072, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 
(CDC), 255 East Paces Ferry Road, NE., Room 300, Mailstop E-13, 
Atlanta, GA 30305-2209, telephone (404) 842-6796, E-mail address 
[email protected].
    For program technical assistance, contact Tim Thornton, Division of 
Violence Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 4770 Buford Highway, 
NE., Mailstop K-60, Atlanta, GA 30341-3724, telephone, (770) 488-4646, 
E-mail address, [email protected].

    Dated: June 5, 1998.
John L. Williams,
Director, Procurement and Grants Office Centers, for Disease Control 
and Prevention (CDC)
[FR Doc. 98-15541 Filed 6-10-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P