[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 5 (Friday, January 7, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1159-1161]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-332]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
[Program Announcement 00029]
Cooperative Agreement for the Operation and Enhancement of a
National Public Health Information/Communication Network; Notice of
Availability of Funds
A. Purpose
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announces the
availability of fiscal year (FY) 2000 funds for a cooperative agreement
program for the operation and enhancement of a national public health
information/communication network. This network/program addresses the
``Healthy People 2000'' priority area of Educational and Community-
Based Programs.
The purpose of this program is to coordinate coverage of public
health emergencies with State and local health departments; enhance
disease prevention and promotion efforts; provide opportunities to
relate the stories of health prevention; identify methods to provide
health communication education and training to State health
departments; and to elicit the coordination and cooperation of other
national, public, private, and voluntary agencies in promoting public
health information.
The purpose is also to foster national public health priorities
which include strengthening science for public health action and
increasing collaboration with health care partners for prevention and
promoting healthy living at all stages of life. The network should
continue to support the exchange and sharing of information methods and
techniques for the improvement of coordination of public information
initiatives between State health departments and provide a forum of
continuing education opportunities in public health information. The
network serves as a facilitator of communications through which
Directors of State, territory and federal public affairs may share
information and methods for the benefit of improved public health
programs.
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 (i.e. public information
Directors of State health departments) and their bona fide agents, and
federally recognized Indian tribal governments, Indian tribes, or
Indian tribal organizations.
Note: Public Law 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 $200,000 is available in FY 2000 to fund one
cooperative agreement. It is expected that the award will begin on or
about May 1, 2000, and will be made for a 12-month budget period within
a project period of up to 5 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 as evidenced by required reports and the
availability of funds.
D. Program Requirements
In conducting activities to achieve the purpose of this program,
the recipient will be responsible for the activities under 1., below,
and CDC will be responsible for conducting activities under 2., below:
1. Recipient Activities:
a. Plan, conduct, and evaluate an annual national conference and,
as required, regional conferences. The purpose of these conferences is
to provide a forum for continuing educational opportunities in public
health communications. Future conferences will serve as opportunities
to update CDC staff on State level communication campaigns and provide
a platform for CDC to update States on CDC information/communication
campaigns.
b. Publish periodic newsletters to keep State Health Departments
informed of the programs, initiatives, and activities of interest to
the States related to communication intervention programs that enrich
and improve public health. Maintain, update, and publish an annual
membership directory, design of network/association brochure, and
journal articles.
c. Assess electronic communication networking among State health
departments and provide recommendations to States on equipment and
financial needs to strengthen communication efforts. Electronically
disseminate urgent public health announcements to general membership
via the web-site data base. Develop electronic communication access for
all public health officials (ex: high speed, secure Internet
connectivity for access by local public health officials; satellite/
distance learning links for public health officials so they can be
notified during public health crises). Expand the capacity to reach out
through an established network to interact through the State network
representatives to reach local health departments in relation to high
priority communication issues.
d. Evaluate the media training available for public health
professionals and provide recommendations for workshops to all State
health departments. Provide assistance to those State health
departments wishing to implement media training.
e. Network with key national public health groups that focus on
Minority health and schools to evaluate existing public information
material relating to public health programs such as, but not limited
to, immunization, tobacco control, tuberculosis, violence and
bioterrorism, emerging infectious diseases, occupational health, injury
prevention, youth/children, women's health, health care gaps, food
safety, pandemics.
f. Develop materials, seminars and training for crisis management,
that are culturally competent and linguistically appropriate, in order
to communicate
[[Page 1160]]
with one voice to public health officials at all levels. Develop a
communication plan/agreement integrated at the local, State and federal
levels and improve information systems dedicated to communication/
community affairs activities about how to respond to the media and
public if a crisis occurs that is multi-state or catastrophic in
nature. Disseminate current information about the existing national
response plan to Public Health priorities. Draft basic reference
materials designed for target populations in the form of fact sheets
available through multiple venues for the general public and media, for
health care professionals in the event of Public Health priorities,
such as actual bioterrorist events.
g. Develop formalized communication methods through a liaison in
each State who can network with each county. Develop fact sheets and
press releases at State level on important national public health
topics which could be customized for use by other State health
departments.
h. Focus educational efforts among sentinel health care
professionals and others by promoting satellite courses i.e. public
health response to bioterrorism. In preparation and planning for a
disease pandemic, work with CDC to develop a State/local pandemic plan.
i. As needs are identified, regional awareness campaigns will be
designed through State health departments.
j. Additionally, disseminate campaign updates and materials from
CDC and elsewhere to State public information Directors. Provide
liaisons to each CDC public information/communication campaign.
2. CDC Activities:
a. Provide technical assistance and consultation in the area of
program development, implementation, and health communication
campaigns.
b. Provide technical assistance in the development of an annual
conference for State, regional and national exchange of public health
information.
c. Provide technical assistance in defining the scope of training
needs and proposed training materials to address those needs.
E. Application Content
Use the information in the Cooperative Activities, Other
Requirements, and Evaluation Criteria sections 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 25 double-spaced pages,
printed on one side, with one inch margins, and unreduced font.
Prior to the 25 page narrative, please provide a three page summary
documenting evidence of a three year history in the operation of a
national public health information/communication network, which
includes at least one organizational representative from each state.
F. Application 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 March 14, 2000,
submit to the Grants Management Specialist identified in the ``Where To
Obtain Additional Information'' Section of this announcement.
Deadline: Application shall be considered as meeting the deadline
if it is:
1. Received on or before the deadline date; or
2. Sent on or before the deadline date and received in time for
submission to the independent review group. (Applicants must request a
legibly dated U.S. Postal Service postmark or obtain a legibly dated
receipt from a commercial carrier or 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, will not be
considered, and will be returned to the applicant.
G. Evaluation Criteria
The application will be evaluated against the following criteria:
1. Background, Need, and Capacity (25 percent): The extent to which
the applicant presents data and information documenting the capacity to
accomplish the program, positive progress in related past or current
activities or programs, and, as appropriate, need for the program. The
extent to which the applicant demonstrates a 3-year history in
conducting a national public health information communication program,
which includes at least one organizational representative from each
state.
2. Goals and Objectives (15 percent): The extent to which the
applicant includes goals which are relevant to the purpose of the
proposal and feasible to accomplish during the project period, and the
extent to which these are specific and measurable. The extent to which
the applicant has included objectives which are feasible to accomplish
during the budget period and project period, and which address all
activities necessary to accomplish the purpose of the proposal.
3. Methods and Staffing (25 percent): The extent to which the
applicant provides: (1) A detailed description of proposed activities
which are likely to achieve each objective and overall program goals,
and which includes designation of responsibility for each action
undertaken; (2) a reasonable and complete schedule for implementing all
activities; and (3) a description of the roles of each unit,
organization, or agency, and evidence of coordination, supervision, and
degree of commitment of staff, organizations, and agencies involved in
activities.
4. Evaluation (25 percent): The extent to which the proposed
evaluation system is detailed, addresses goals and objectives of the
program, and will document program process, effectiveness, and impact.
The extent to which the applicant demonstrates potential data sources
for evaluation purposes and methods to evaluate the data sources, and
documents staff availability, expertise, experience, and capacity to
perform the evaluation. The extent to which a feasible plan for
reporting evaluation results and using evaluation information for
programmatic decisions is included.
5. Collaboration (10 percent): The extent to which relationships
between the program and other organizations, agencies, and health
department units that will relate to the program or conduct related
activities are clear, complete and provide for complementary or
supplementary interactions. The extent to which coalition membership
and roles are clear and appropriate. The extent to which the applicant
provides evidence of at least one organizational representative from
each State.
6. Budget and Justification (not scored): The extent to which the
applicant provides a detailed budget and narrative justification
consistent with stated objectives and planned program activities.
H. Other Requirements
Technical Reporting Requirements
Provide CDC with the original plus two copies of:
1. Semiannual 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.
Send all reports to the Grants Management Specialist identified in
the ``Where To Obtain Additional
[[Page 1161]]
Information'' Section of this announcement. For descriptions of the
following Other Requirements, see Attachment I in the application
package.
AR-5 HIV Program Review Panel Requirements
AR-10 Smoke-Free Workplace Requirements
AR-11 Healthy People 2000
AR-12 Lobbying Restrictions
AR-20 Conference Support
I. Authority and Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number
This program is authorized under Section 1704 (42 U.S.C. 300u-3) of
the Public Health Service Act, as amended. The Catalog of Federal
Domestic Assistance Number is 93.283.
J. Where to Obtain Additional Information
This announcement and other announcements may be downloaded from
www.cdc.gov.
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.
If you have questions after reviewing the contents of all the
documents, business management technical assistance may be obtained
from: Joanne Wojcik, Grants Management Specialist, Grants Management
Branch, Procurement and Grants Office, Announcement 00029, Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2920 Brandywine Road, Suite 3000,
Atlanta, GA 30341-4146, Telephone (770) 488-2717, Email address
[email protected].
For program technical assistance, contact: Linda Leake,
Administrative Officer, Office of Communication, Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, N.E., MS D25, Atlanta, GA
30333, Telephone: (404) 639-7994, E Mail: [email protected].
John L. Williams,
Director, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC).
[FR Doc. 00-332 Filed 1-6-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P