[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 118 (Monday, June 21, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33087-33090]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-15634]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Office of the Secretary

Office of Minority Health


Availability of Funds for Grants for State and Territorial 
Minority HIV/AIDS Demonstration Grant Program

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, Office of Minority Health.

ACTION: Notice of availability of funds and request for applications 
for State and Territorial Minority HIV/AIDS Demonstration Grant 
Program.

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Purpose

    The purposes of this Fiscal Year 1999 State and Territorial 
Minority HIV/AIDS Demonstration Program are to:
    (1) Assist in the identification of needs within the state for HIV/
AIDS prevention and services among minority populations by collection, 
analysis, and/or tracking of existing data on surveillance and existing 
providers of HIV services for minority communities;
    (2) Facilitate the linkage of minority community-based 
organizations with other state and local recipients of federal funds 
for HIV/AIDS to develop greater resource capacity and interventions in 
the identified areas of need; and
    (3) Assist in coordinating federal resources coming into high need, 
minority communities including identifying the different programs and 
facilitating access to federal technical assistance available to 
minority community-based organizations.
    This program is intended to demonstrate that the involvement of 
State and Territorial Offices of Minority Health in coordinating a 
statewide response to the HIV/AIDS crisis in minority communities can 
have a greater impact on the communities' understanding of the disease, 
and the coordination of prevention and treatment services for minority 
populations, than agencies/organizations working independently.
    The Public Health Service (PHS) is committed to achieving the 
health promotion and disease prevention objectives of Healthy People 
2000, a PHS-led national activity to reduce morbidity and mortality and 
to improve the quality of life. This announcement relates to 4 of the 
22 priority areas established by Healthy People 2000: (1) Alcohol and 
other drugs; (2) educational and community-based programs; (3) HIV 
infection; and (4) sexually transmitted diseases. Potential applicants 
may obtain a copy of the Healthy People 2000 (Full Report: Stock No. 
017-001-00474-0) or Healthy People 2000 Midcourse Review and 1995 
Revisions (Stock No. 017-001-00526-6) through the Superintendent of 
Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402-9325 or 
telephone (202) 783-8238.

Background

    The Office of Minority Health's (OMH) mission is to improve the 
health of racial and ethnic minority populations through the 
development of health policies and programs that will help to address 
the health disparities and gaps. Consistent with its mission, the role 
of OMH is to serve as the focal point within the Department for service 
demonstrations, coalition and partnership building, and related efforts 
to address the health needs of racial and ethnic minorities. In keeping 
with this mission, OMH is establishing the State and Territorial 
Minority HIV/AIDS Demonstration Program to assist in addressing the 
HIV/AIDS issues facing minority communities across the United States. 
This program is based on the hypothesis that a broad, state-level 
approach to HIV/AIDS health care promotion and prevention can be 
effective in reaching minority populations by both defining existing 
needs of prevention and treatment, and supporting strategies to address 
these needs. It is anticipated that this approach will strengthen 
existing state activities in addressing this health issue by 
facilitating infrastructure development or expansion of State and 
Territorial Offices of Minority Health to: (1) Take a lead role in 
identifying major areas of need in minority communities; (2) link 
minority community-based organizations with other state and local 
partners in the identified areas of need; and (3) assist in 
coordinating federal resources coming into high need, minority 
communities including identifying the different programs and 
facilitating access to federal technical assistance available to 
minority community-based organizations.

Disproportionate Effect of HIV/AIDS on Minorities

    Current statistics indicate that although advances have been made 
in the treatment of HIV/AIDS, this epidemic continues as a significant 
threat to the public health of the United States (U.S.). Despite 
showing a decline in the past two years, it remains a disproportionate 
threat to minorities. While African-Americans and Hispanics 
respectively represent approximately 13% and 10% of the U.S. 
population, approximately 36% of the more than 640,000 reported total 
AIDS cases are African-American and 18% are Hispanic. Asian/Pacific 
Islanders and Native Americans respectively represent 4% and 1% of the 
U.S. population and currently each account for less than 1% of the AIDS 
cases.
    In 1997, more African-Americans were reported with AIDS than any 
other racial/ethnic group. Of the total AIDS cases reported that year, 
45% (27,075) were reported among African-Americans, 33% (20,197) were 
reported among whites, and 21% (12,466) were reported among Hispanics. 
Among women and children with AIDS, African-Americans have been 
especially affected, representing 60% of all women reported with AIDS 
in 1997 and 62% of reported pediatric AIDS cases in 1997. During 1997, 
the rate of new AIDS cases per 100,000 population in the U.S. was 83.7 
among African-Americans, 37.7 among Hispanics, 10.4 among whites, 10.4 
among American Indians/Alaska Natives, and 4.5 among Asians/Pacific 
Islanders.
    Data from a recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study 
(Trends in the HIV and AIDS Epidemic, 1998) comparing HIV and AIDS 
diagnoses in 25 states with integrated reporting systems provide a 
clearer picture of recent shifts in the epidemic. The study indicates 
that many of the new HIV diagnoses are occurring among African-
Americans, women, and people infected heterosexually, with an increase 
also observed among Hispanics. During the period from January 1994 
through June

[[Page 33088]]

1997, African-Americans represented 45% of all AIDS diagnoses, but 57% 
of all HIV diagnoses. Among young people (ages 13 to 24) diagnosed with 
HIV, 63% were among African-Americans and 5% were among Hispanics. 
Although some of the states with large Hispanic populations did not 
have integrated HIV/AIDS reporting and could not be included in this 
study, HIV diagnoses among Hispanics increased 10% between 1995 and 
1996.
    From this same study, for 1996, an estimated 17,250 African-
American men and 6,750 African-American women were diagnosed with AIDS. 
For African-American men, 40% of the transmissions were among men who 
have sex with men, 38% were linked with injection drug use and 13% were 
due to heterosexual contact with an HIV infected person. For African-
American women, 53% of the transmissions were due to heterosexual 
contact and 43% were linked with injection drug use. For this same 
year, an estimated 8,680 Hispanic men and 2,210 Hispanic women were 
diagnosed with AIDS. Of this number, 45% of the transmissions were 
among men who have sex with men, 38% were linked with injection drug 
use and 10% were due to heterosexual contact. For Hispanic women, 60% 
of the transmissions were due to heterosexual contact and 37% linked 
with injection drug use.

Eligible Applicants

    Eligibility is limited to State and Territorial 1 
Offices of Minority Health or, for those states and territories that do 
not have an established Office of Minority Health, a state or 
territorial minority health entity located within a State or 
Territorial Department of Health which functions in the capacity of an 
Office of Minority Health. (See Definitions in this announcement.) Each 
state and territory may submit no more than one proposal under this 
announcement.
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    \1\ Includes all 50 states, the District of Columbia, American 
Samoa, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Marshall Islands, 
Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, Republic of Palau, and the 
Virgin Islands.
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    Documentation to verify official status as a State or Territorial 
Office of Minority Health must include a signed statement from a state/
territorial level authorizing official (e.g., Governor or designated 
official, Commissioner of Health or designee).
    Documentation to verify official status as a state or territorial 
minority health entity must include a signed statement from the 
Commissioner of Health or designee in the Department of Health stating 
that the identified entity has been functioning in the capacity of a 
State or Territorial Office of Minority Health and describing the types 
of activities performed or being performed.
    Letters of support and commitment to the demonstration project from 
both the State or Territorial Commissioner of Health and the Office of 
the Governor are required as part of the application.

Deadline

    To receive consideration, grant applications must be received by 
the Office of Minority Health (OMH) Grants Management Office by July 
21, 1999. Applications will be considered as meeting the deadline if 
they are: (1) Received on or before the deadline date, or (2) 
postmarked on or before the deadline date and received in time for 
orderly processing. A legibly dated receipt from a commercial carrier 
or U.S. Postal Service will be accepted in lieu of a postmark. Private 
metered postmarks will not be accepted as proof of timely mailing. 
Applications submitted by facsimile transmission (FAX) or any other 
electronic format will not be accepted. Applications which do not meet 
the deadline will be considered late and will be returned to the 
applicant unread.

Addresses/Contacts

    Applications must be prepared using Form PHS 5161-1 (Revised May 
1996). Application kits and technical assistance on budget and business 
aspects of the application may be obtained from Ms. Carolyn A. 
Williams, Grants Management Officer, Division of Management Operations, 
Office of Minority Health, Rockwall II Building, Suite 1000, 5515 
Security Lane, Rockville, MD 20852, telephone (301) 594-0758. Completed 
applications are to be submitted to the same address.
    Questions regarding programmatic information and/or requests for 
technical assistance in the preparation of grant applications should be 
directed to Ms. Cynthia H. Amis, Director, Division of Program 
Operations, Office of Minority Health, Rockwall II Building, Suite 
1000, 5515 Security Lane, Rockville, MD 20852, telephone (301) 594-
0769.
    Technical assistance is also available through the OMH Regional 
Minority Health Consultants (RMHCs). A listing of the RMHCs and how 
they may be contacted will be provided in the grant application kit. 
Additionally, applicants can contact the OMH Resource Center (OMH-RC) 
at 1-800-444-6472 for health information.

Availability of Funds

    Approximately $3 million will be available for award in FY 1999. It 
is projected that awards of up to $150,000 total costs (direct and 
indirect) for a 12-month budget period will be made to approximately 20 
competing applicants. The amount of funds requested should be based on 
the size and complexity of the proposed project.

Period of Support

    The start date for the State and Territorial Minority HIV/AIDS 
Demonstration Program grants is September 30, 1999. Support may be 
requested for a total project period not to exceed 3 years. 
Noncompeting continuation awards of up to $150,000 will be made subject 
to satisfactory performance and availability of funds.

Project Requirements

    Each applicant to this demonstration grant program must:
    (1) Address the three purposes of the program announcement:
     Assist in the identification of needs within the state for 
HIV/AIDS prevention and services for minority populations by 
collection, analysis, and/or tracking of existing data on surveillance 
and existing providers of HIV services for minority communities. The 
use of geographic information systems and related techniques should be 
given due consideration as one of the tools to address this area;
     Facilitate the linkage of minority community-based 
organizations with other state and local recipients of federal funds 
for HIV/AIDS to develop greater resource capacity and interventions in 
the identified areas of need; and
     Assist in coordinating federal resources coming into high 
need, minority communities including identifying the different programs 
and facilitating access to federal technical assistance available to 
minority community-based organizations.
    (2) Describe plans to establish a project advisory committee to 
assist the applicant in carrying out the activities specified in the 
project. The membership is to be comprised of five to seven individuals 
with the applicant serving as an ex officio member. Committee 
membership should include: a representative from a state Office on AIDS 
or state HIV/AIDS coordinator, an HIV/AIDS health care provider, a 
representative from an AIDS service organization serving a substantial 
number of people of color, and a minority person living with HIV/AIDS. 
Other potential members may include: a

[[Page 33089]]

representative from an HIV/AIDS community planning committee or group 
(e.g., a group initiated by a local community; a group established 
under a Federal program, such as the HIV Prevention Cooperative 
Agreements projects supported by the Center for Disease Control and 
Prevention or Ryan White Planning Council), an outreach worker/social 
worker, or a consumer/patient advocate.

Use of Grant Funds

    Budgets of up to $150,000 total cost (direct and indirect) per year 
may be requested to cover costs of: personnel, consultants, supplies, 
equipment, and grant related travel. Funds may not be used for medical 
treatment, construction, building alterations, or renovations. All 
budget requests must be fully justified in terms of the proposed goals 
and objectives and include a computational explanation of how costs 
were determined.

Criteria for Evaluation Applications

Review of Application

    Applications will be screened upon receipt. Those that are judged 
to be incomplete, nonresponsive to the announcement or nonconforming 
will be returned without review. Each state and territory may submit no 
more than one proposal under this announcement. Accepted applications 
will be reviewed for technical merit in accordance with PHS policies. 
Applications will be evaluated by an objective review panel chosen for 
their expertise in minority health, experience relevant to this 
program, and their understanding and knowledge of the health problems 
and risk factors confronting racial and ethnic minorities in the United 
States.
    Applicants are advised to pay close attention to the specific 
program guidelines and general instructions provided in the application 
kit.

Application Review Criteria

    The technical review of applications will consider the following 
generic factors:
Factor 1: Background (15%)
    Adequacy of demonstrated knowledge of the impact of HIV/AIDS on the 
state and within minority communities. Adequacy of the description of 
the HIV/AIDS problem confronting the state and minority communities and 
of the needs to be addressed. Extent of past efforts/activities in 
addressing HIV/AIDS in minority communities.
Factor 2: Goals and Objectives (15%)
    Merit of objectives in addressing all three purposes stated in 
Federal Register notice and the identified problem. Extent to which 
objectives are attainable within the stated time frames.
Factor 3: Methodology (35%)
    Appropriateness of proposed plan and specific activities for each 
objective (e.g., capacity to integrate surveillance data and an 
analysis of existing prevention and treatment delivery systems into a 
state-wide needs assessment for minority populations, partnership 
building, technical assistance and resource referral). Logic and 
sequencing of the planned approaches in relation to the objectives and 
program evaluation.
Factor 4: Evaluation (20%)
    Thoroughness, feasibility and appropriateness of the evaluation 
design, and data collection and analysis procedures. Clarity of the 
intent and plans to document the activities and their outcomes. The 
potential for replication of the project for similar target populations 
and communities including the assessment of the utility of the 
different tools used to implement the program.
Factor 5: Management Plan (15%)
    Applicant organization's capability to manage and evaluate the 
project as determined by: the qualifications of proposed staff or 
requirements for ``to be hired'' staff; proposed staff level of effort; 
and composition of proposed advisory committee (e.g., membership, 
role).

Award Criteria

    Funding decisions will be determined by the Deputy Assistant 
Secretary for Minority Health, Office of Minority Health and will take 
under consideration: recommendations/ratings of the review panels; and 
geographic and racial/ethnic distribution. Consideration will also be 
given to projects proposed to be implemented in Empowerment Zones and 
Enterprise Communities.

Definitions

    For purposes of this grant announcement, the following definitions 
are provided:
    AIDS Service Organization (ASO)--A health association, support 
agency, or other service actively involved in the prevention and 
treatment of AIDS. (HIV/AIDS Treatment Information Service's Glossary 
of HIV/AIDS-Related Terms, March 1997.)
    Minority Community-Based Organizations--Public and private 
nonprofit community-based minority organization or a local affiliate of 
a national minority organization that has: a governing board composed 
of 51 percent or more racial/ethnic minority members, a significant 
number of minorities employed in key staff positions, and an 
established record of service to a racial/ethnic minority community.
    Minority Populations--American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, 
Black or African-American, Hispanic or Latino, and Native Hawaiian or 
Other Pacific Islander. (Revision to the Standards for the 
Classification of Federal Data on Race and Ethnicity, Federal Register, 
Vol. 62, No. 210, pg. 58782, October 30, 1997.)
    Needs Assessment--A systematic process whereby information 
(including epidemiologic data) is gathered in order to identify 
barriers to effective access to HIV/AIDS services at the state and 
local level, resulting in any number of outcomes including 
identification of risk factors, service gaps, infrastructure needs, 
strategic or action plans, and recommendations for policy changes.
    State or Territorial Offices of Minority Health--An entity 
established by an Executive Order, a statute or a state/territorial 
health officer to improve the health of racial and ethnic populations.
    State or Territorial Minority Health Entity--A unit or contact 
located within a State or Territorial Department of Health that 
addresses the health disparities experienced by minority populations.

Reporting and Other Requirements

General Reporting Requirements

    A successful applicant under this notice will submit: (1) progress 
reports; (2) an annual Financial Status Report; and (3) a final project 
report and Financial Status Report in the format established by the 
Office of Minority Health, in accordance with provisions of the general 
regulations which apply under 45 CFR Part 92, Subpart C reporting 
requirements apply.

Provision of Smoke-Free Workplace and Non-Use of Tobacco Products by 
Recipients of PHS Grants

    The Public Health Service strongly encourages all grant recipients 
to provide a smoke-free workplace and to promote the non-use of all 
tobacco products. In addition, Pub. L. 103-227, the Pro-Children Act of 
1994, prohibits smoking in certain facilities (or in some cases, any 
portion of a facility) in which regular or routine education, library, 
day care, health care or early childhood development services are 
provided to children.

[[Page 33090]]

State Reviews

    This program is subject to the requirements of Executive Order 
12372 which allows States the option of setting up a system for 
reviewing applications from within their States for assistance under 
certain Federal programs. The application kit to be made available 
under this notice will contain a listing of States which have chosen to 
set up a review system and will include a State Single Point of Contact 
(SPOC) in the State for review. Applicants (other than federally 
recognized Indian tribes) should contact their SPOCs 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. The due date for State process 
recommendations is 60 days after the application deadline established 
by the Office of Minority Health's Grants Management Officer. The 
Office of Minority Health does not guarantee that it will accommodate 
or explain its responses to State process recommendations received 
after that date. (See ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs'' 
Executive Order 12372 and 45 CFR part 100 for a description of the 
review process and requirements).

(OMB Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance: The OMB Catalog of 
Federal Domestic Assistance number for this program is pending.)

    Authority: This program is authorized under section 1707(e)(1) 
of the Public Health Service Act, as amended by Public Law 105-392.

    Dated: June 9, 1999.
Nathan Stinson, Jr.,
Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Minority Health.
[FR Doc. 99-15634 Filed 6-18-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-17-P