[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 104 (Tuesday, June 1, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29318-29319]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-13743]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
[Program Announcement No. 99081]


Program To Build Capacity To Conduct Environmental Health 
Education Activities; Notice of Availability of Funds

A. Purpose

    The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) 
announces the availability of fiscal year (FY) 1999 funds for a 
cooperative agreement program to Build Capacity To Conduct 
Environmental Health Education Activities. This program addresses 
``Healthy People 2000'' in the priority areas of Educational and 
Community-Based Programs, Environmental Health, and Age-Related 
Objectives for Children. The purpose of this program is to establish, 
promote, and disseminate environmental health education programs within 
an organizations membership.

B. Eligible Applicants

    This program is directed only to non-profit national organizations 
of health professionals that provide environmental health education for 
their defined membership.

    Note: Pub. L. 104-65 states that an organization described in 
section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 that engages 
in lobbying activities is not eligible to receive Federal funds 
constituting an award, grant, cooperative agreement, contract, loan 
or any other form.

C. Availability of Funds

    Approximately $900,000 is available in FY 99 to fund 5-8 awards. 
The median award is anticipated to be approximately $150,000, but 
awards may range from $75,000 to $350,000. It is expected that the 
awards will begin on or about September 30, 1999, and will be made for 
a 12-month budget period within a project period of up to five years. 
Funding estimates may change.

Use of Funds

    Funds may be expended for reasonable program purposes, such as 
personnel, travel, supplies and services, including contractual 
services. ATSDR funding is generally not to be used for the purchase of 
furniture or equipment. Any equipment purchased will be returned to 
ATSDR at the end of the funding period. The direct and primary 
recipient in a cooperative agreement program must perform a substantive 
role in carrying out project activities and not merely serve as a 
conduit for an award to another party or provide funds to an ineligible 
party.

D. Program Requirements

    This cooperative agreement comprises a core program and additional 
optional enhancement activities. In conducting activities to achieve 
the purpose of the program, a recipient shall be responsible for 
conducting core activities under 1 and optional enhancement activities 
under 2 below, and ATSDR will be responsible for conducting activities 
under 3 below:

1. Recipient Core Activities

    a. Develop and implement environmental health education needs 
assessment process for the applicants' membership.
    b. Develop, implement, and evaluate specific environmental health 
education activities based on the results of the needs assessment 
process. Such activities should include sharing information about the 
unique vulnerabilities and special needs of children.
    c. Evaluate the effectiveness of each of the implemented activities 
and the impact of the overall project.
    d. Develop a strategy to provide members and constituents 
environmental health education materials and programs for their 
reference and use.
    e. Communicate identified environmental health needs, concerns, 
programs, and resources to members and constituent groups.
    f. Attend and participate in the annual ATSDR Partners Meetings 
normally held in Atlanta, Georgia, including assisting in planning and 
presenting program activities and evaluation results.

2. Optional Recipient Enhancement Program Activities

    a. Develop, implement and evaluated health risk communication 
training to the membership.
    b. Develop and implements environmental health education for the 
members health care providers concerning the health impact of hazardous 
substances. Potential topics might include: medical and public health 
responses to bioterrorism and pediatric environmental medicine.
    c. Develop a plan for environmental telemedicine educational 
outreach; develop, implement, and evaluate training related to exposure 
assessment, health concerns, and community involvement at Brownfields 
properties for their membership.
    d. Develop interactive electronic case studies in environmental 
medicine.

3. ATSDR Activities

    a. Provide technical assistance in conducting needs assessments.
    b. Provide information, instructional resources, technical 
assistance and collaboration for National Priorities List (NPL) site-
specific activities and materials.
    c. Assist in development of the evaluation plans, such as providing 
technical assistance in establishment of measurable objectives and 
evaluation of activities.
    d. Provide assistance in establishing communication and resource 
networks between applicants including such partners as other federal 
agencies, state and local health departments, tribal governments, 
environmental and health professional non-governmental organizations, 
and academic, medical, and clinical associations.
    e. Provide technical assistance and collaboration in the 
dissemination of programs and materials including assistance in the 
delivery of telemedicine outreach activities.
    f. Assist in providing training related to exposure assessment, to 
health concerns, and community involvement at Brownfields properties.

E. Application Content

    Use the information in the Program Requirements, Other 
Requirements, and Evaluation Criteria Section to develop the 
application content. All applicants must address the core program in 
their application. Applicants may address

[[Page 29319]]

optional enhancement activities as they may apply to their respective 
members and their constituencies. 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 longer than 25 double-
spaced pages (excluding appendices), printed on one side, with one-inch 
margins, and unreduced font.

F. Submission and Deadline

    Submit the original and two copies of PHS 5161 (OMB Number 0937-
0189). Forms are in the application kit. On or before July 12, 1999, 
submit the application to the Grants Management Specialist identified 
in the ``Where to Obtain Additional Information'' section of this 
announcement.
    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 
orderly processing. (Applicants 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 shall not be acceptable as proof of timely mailing.)
    Late applications: Applications which do not meet the criteria in 
(a) or (b) above are considered late applications. Late applications 
will not be considered and will be returned to the applicant.

G. Evaluation Criteria

    Each application will be evaluated individually against the 
following criteria by an independent review group appointed by ATSDR.

1. Proposed Program--40 percent

    a. Ability to develop environmental health materials and messages 
for distribution to members and constituents; address specific 
environmental health concerns; plan, conduct, and evaluate 
environmental health education or training activities; and collaborate 
effectively with a variety of public health partners.
    b. Clearly stated understanding of environmental public health 
problem(s) to be addressed, including the proximity of NPL sites and 
any special risks to children as a susceptible population.
    c. Clear and reasonable environmental public health goals and 
clearly stated project objectives which are realistic, measurable, and 
related to program requirements.
    d. Identification of specific target audiences and their 
environmental health education and promotion needs.
    e. Specificity and feasibility of the proposed timeline for 
implementing project activities.

2. Proposed Personnel--20 percent

    a. Ability of the applicant to provide adequate program staff and 
support staff, including any proposed consultants or contractors.
    b. Experience of proposed staff in conducting needs assessments, 
developing materials, implementing activities, and conducting program 
evaluation related to health education and promotion.

3. Capability--20 percent

    a. Appropriateness of the health education activities proposed for 
the proposed target groups.
    b. Thoroughness of the health education activities proposed.
    c. Plans for collaborative efforts and appropriate letters of 
support.

4. Evaluation Plan--20 percent

    a. Extent to which the evaluation plan includes strategies and 
methods to measure program processes and outcomes of program 
activities, such as changes in participants' knowledge, attitudes, and 
behaviors.
    b. Extent to which the evaluation plan includes specific approaches 
and methods to measure overall program effectiveness and impacts, such 
as achievement of stated public health goals and effect of the program 
on stated public health problem.

5. Budget--(not scored)

    The extent to which the proposed budget is reasonable, clearly 
justified with a budget narrative, and consistent with the intended use 
of funds.

H. Other Requirements

    Provide CDC with an original plus two copies of the following:
    1. Quarterly progress reports are due 30 days after the end of each 
quarter.
    2. Financial status report, no more than 90 days after the end of 
the budget period.
    3. Final financial status and performance reports, no more than 90 
days after the end of the project period.
    Send all reports to the Grants Management Specialist identified in 
the ``Where to Obtain Additional Information'' section of this 
announcement.
    The following additional requirements are applicable to this 
program. For a complete description of each, see Attachment I in the 
application kit.

AR-9  Paperwork Reduction Act Requirements
AR-10  Smoke-Free Workplace Requirements
AR-11  Healthy People 2000
AR-18  Cost Recovery--ATSDR
AR-19  Third Party Agreements--ATSDR
AR-20  Conference Support

I. Authority and Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number

    This program is authorized under sections 101(36), 104(i)(14) and 
(15) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and 
Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA), as amended by the Superfund Amendments 
and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (SARA) (42 U.S.C. 9601(36), 9604 
(i)(14), (15)). The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number is 
93.161.

J. Where To Obtain Additional Information

    A complete copy of the announcement may be downloaded from CDC's 
home page on the Internet at: http://www.cdc.gov (click on funding).
    To receive additional written information, and to request an 
application kit, call 1-888-GRANTS4 (1-888-472-6874). You will be asked 
to leave your name and address and will be instructed to identify the 
Announcement Number of interest (Announcement 99081). You will receive 
a complete program description, information on application procedures, 
and application forms.
    If you have questions after reviewing the contents of all the 
documents, business management technical assistance may be obtained 
from: Nelda Godfrey, Grants Management Specialist, Grants Management 
Branch, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention, 2920 Brandywine Road, Suite 3000, Atlanta, GA 30341-4146, 
Telephone number: (770) 488-2722, e-mail address: [email protected].
    Programmatic technical assistance may be obtained from: Christine 
Rosheim, D.D.S., M.P.H., Health Education Specialist, Division of 
Health Education and Promotion, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease 
Registry, 1600 Clifton Road, Mailstop E-33, Atlanta, GA 30333, 
Telephone Number: (404) 639-6351.

    Dated: May 25, 1999.
Georgi Jones,
Director, Office of Policy and External Affairs, Agency for Toxic 
Substances and Disease Registry.
[FR Doc. 99-13743 Filed 5-28-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-70-P