[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 34 (Friday, February 18, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8446-8447]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-3881]


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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

National Institute of Corrections


Solicitation for a Cooperative Agreement--``Managing Long Term 
Aging Offenders and Offenders With Chronic and Terminal Illnesses''

AGENCY: National Institute of Corrections, Department of Justice.

ACTION: Solicitation for a Cooperative Agreement.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Justice (DOJ), National Institute of 
Corrections (NIC), announces the availability of funds in FY 2000 for a 
cooperative agreement to fund the project ``Managing Long Term Aging 
Offenders and Offenders with Chronic and Terminal Illnesses.'' NIC will 
award a one year cooperative agreement to: develop a handbook or manual 
that will provide information to state correctional agencies 
identifying current practices, policies, and procedures and their 
impact on long term aging offenders with chronic and terminal 
illnesses. A cooperative agreement is a form of assistance relationship 
where the National Institute of Corrections is substantially involved 
during the performance of the award. An award is made to an 
organization that will, in concert with the institute, identify the 
``effective practices and intervention'' regarding the case and 
management of aging offenders with chronic or terminal health problems.

Background

    According to recent studies, the national percentage of inmates 50 
years of age and older and, inmates who have significant health 
problems requiring intermittent or specialized long-term care, has 
increased significantly. Research further indicates a lack of knowledge 
among correctional practitioners regarding issues such as, economic, 
programmatic approaches, and changing characteristics systems must 
address in meeting the needs of this population. The prevalence of 
aging offenders and offenders with chronic and long-term illnesses 
presents enormous challenges to correctional personnel. Longer prison 
sentences, the rise of infectious diseases, limited availability of in 
prison programs, coupled with the lack of resources, enhance the 
likelihood that this specific population may be forgotten, deteriorate 
to a worst condition and become a financial burden to society. Also, 
information about what other correctional jurisdictions are doing to 
cope with this increasing population is lacking, this frequently means 
that correctional practitioners have no common frame of reference.

Purpose

    To document and make available to correctional practitioners and 
correctional health care providers current and innovative programs 
designed to address the needs of incarcerated long-term aging offenders 
and offenders with chronic and terminal illnesses.

Objectives

    1. To develop a publication that addresses the effective management 
and care, treatment modalities, their effectiveness, and innovative 
approaches for long-term aging offenders and offenders with chronic and 
terminal illnesses; and
    2. To provide technical assistance to five agencies which are 
beginning or improving programs and services for these offenders.
    NIC considers it important for the applicant to discuss how the 
following questions or other criteria identified by the applicant would 
be employed for documenting effective prison mental health services and 
interventions:
     Are there explicit models or research evidence of how the 
health services or interventions for this specific population are 
supposed to work within prisons?
     Are there information or substantiations that health 
services and interventions employ methods which have been consistently 
effective with aging, chronic, and terminally ill offenders in prison?
     Are the services or interventions delivered in ways which 
engage these offenders in active participation--e.g., responsivity?
     Are the services or interventions rigorously managed and 
designed?
     Do the health services support the principle of a 
continuum of care--e.g., screening, assessments for diagnosis and risk, 
treatment planning, range of interventions, transitional care from 
prison to the community, and linkages to appropriate community health 
and other support services?
     What evidence or information is available that services or 
interventions are delivered and overseen by qualified professionals 
consistent with generally accepted protocols--i.e., valid assessment 
and screening tools, treatment interventions matched to the level of 
the offender need, case management strategies, treatment providers who 
are licensed and meet specific standards, etc?
     What research efforts have been conducted to assess the 
effectiveness of the intervention being reviewed by the project?

Project Scope

    The project's strategy or design should address the following 
areas:

--Screening and assessment
--Intervention techniques
--Community and aftercare linkages
--Treatment approaches
--Case management
--Classification
--Planning
--Transitional services
--Staff Training
--Peer Support
--Instruments to assess, develop or identify treatment programs
--Individualized treatment approaches
--Cultural competency
--Gender-based treatment
--Monitoring, evaluating program integrity

    The successful applicant would be required to: 1--use some portion 
of the funds to collaborate with other correctional and health 
professionals (experts) to review the current state of health programs 
for the aging, chronic and terminally ill offender in corrections; 2--
Identify existing programs through a survey, addressing relevant 
standards and legal issues; 3--Develop a document for practitioners 
that presents guidelines and criteria for successful health programs 
for this specific incarcerated population. 4--Fully discuss 
classification, special care, work opportunities, and special release 
provisions; and; 5--Provide an instrument to be used to assess 
effective in-prison health programs; and 6--Provide technical 
assistance to five agencies which are beginning or improving programs 
and services for the aging, chronic, and terminally ill offender.
    In consultation with NIC prepare and edit a final camera-ready copy 
of the

[[Page 8447]]

document for NIC publication in accordance with the NIC Preparation of 
Printed Materials for Publication. All products from this funding 
effort will be in the public domain and available to interested parties 
through the National Institute of Corrections.

Application Requirement

    The applicant must provide goals, objectives, and methods of 
implementation for the project that are consistent with the 
announcement. Objectives should be clear, measurable, attainable, and 
focused on the methods used to conduct the project. Applicants should 
provide an implementation plan for the project and include a schedule 
which will demonstrate milestones for significant task in chart form. 
The project initiated early, 2000 will be completed in early, 2001.

    Authority: Public Law 93-415.

Funds Available

    The award will be limited to a maximum of $165,000 (direct and 
indirect costs). Funds may only be used for the activities that are 
linked to the desired outcome of the project. No funds are transferred 
to state or local governments. This project will be collaborative 
venture with the NIC Prisons Division.

Deadline for Receipt of Applications

    Applications must be received by 4:00 pm Eastern Time on Wednesday 
March 29, 2000.

ADDRESSES AND FURTHER INFORMATION: Requests for the application kit 
should be directed to Judy Evens, Cooperative Agreement Control Office, 
National Institute of Corrections, 320 First Street, NW, Room 5007, 
Washington, D.C. 20534 or by calling (800) 995-6423, extension 159 or 
(202) 307-3106, extension 159. She can also be contacted by E-mail via 
[email protected]. All technical and or programmatic questions concerning 
this announcement should be directed to Madeline M. Ortiz at the above 
address or by calling (800) 995-6423, extension 141 or (202) 307-1300, 
extension 141, or by E-mail via [email protected]. A copy of this 
announcement and application forms may also be obtained through the NIC 
web site: http://www.nicic.org (click on ``What's New'' and 
``Cooperative Agreements'').
    Applications mailed or express delivery should be sent to: National 
Institute of Corrections, 320 First Street, NW, 5007, Washington, D.C. 
20534, Attn: Director. Hand delivered applications can be brought to 
500 First Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20534. The front desk will call 
Bobbi Tinsley (307-3106 and press 0) to come to the desk for pickup.
    Eligible Applicants: An eligible applicant is any state or general 
unit of local government, private agency, educational institution, 
organization, individuals or team with expertise in correctional mental 
health services.
    Review Considerations: Applications received under this 
announcement will be subjected to a NIC 3 to 5 member Peer Review 
Process.
    Number of Awards: One (1).
    NIC Application Number: 00P11. This number should appear as a 
reference line in the cover letter and also in box 11 of Standard Form 
424.
    Executive Order 12372: This program is subject to the provisions of 
Executive Order 12372. Executive Order 12372 allows States the option 
of setting up a system for reviewing applications from within their 
States for assistance under certain Federal programs. Applicants (other 
than Federally-recognized Indian tribal governments) should contact 
their State Single Point of Contact (SPOC), a list of which is included 
in the application Kit, along with further instructions on proposed 
projects serving more than one State.
    The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number is: 16.603

    Dated: February 14, 2000.
Morris L. Thigpen,
Director, National Institute of Corrections.
[FR Doc. 00-3881 Filed 2-17-00; 8:45 am]
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