[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 72 (Thursday, April 13, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19900-19904]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-9149]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Office of the Secretary


Office of Minority Health; Availability of Funds for Technical 
Assistance and Capacity Development Demonstration Grant Program for 
HIV/AIDS-Related Services in Highly Impacted Minority Communities

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

ACTION: Notice of availability of funds and requests for applications 
for Technical Assistance and Capacity Development Demonstration Grant 
Program for HIV/AIDS-Related Services in Highly Impacted Minority 
Communities.

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

Purpose

     The purpose of the Technical Assistance and Capacity Development 
Demonstration Grant Program for HIV/AIDS-Related Services in Highly 
Impacted Minority Communities is to stimulate and foster the 
development of effective and durable service delivery capacity for HIV 
prevention and treatment among organizations closely interfaced with 
the minority populations highly impacted by HIV/AIDS. The grantee will 
identify minority community-based organizations (CBOs) and small, non-
federally funded minority CBOs that are well linked with minority 
populations highly affected by HIV/AIDS, and which have recognized 
needs and/or gaps in their capacity to provide HIV/AIDS-related 
prevention and care services. The goals are to:
     Provide administrative and programmatic technical 
assistance to enable those organizations to enhance their delivery of 
necessary services; and
     Assist those CBOs, through an ongoing mentoring 
relationship, in the development of their capacity as fiscally viable 
and programmatically effective

[[Page 19901]]

organizations thereby allowing them to successfully compete for federal 
and other resources.
    This program is intended to demonstrate the impact of technical 
assistance and capacity development on improving HIV prevention and 
care among organizations within a circumscribed area in which many 
minority individuals are in need of HIV/AIDS prevention and/or 
treatment services. To the extent that selected services such as 
substance abuse treatment and public health are available within the 
circumscribed area, linkages with these services will be fostered as 
part of the technical assistance. The program intends to address HIV/
AIDS issues within the context of related socio-economic factors and 
contribute to overall community empowerment by strengthening indigenous 
leadership and organizations.
    The Public Health Service (PHS) is committed to achieving the 
health promotion and disease prevention objectives of Healthy People 
2010, a PHS-led national activity to eliminate health disparities and 
increase quality and years of healthy life. This announcement relates 
to 4 of the 28 focus areas established by Healthy People 2010: (1) 
Substance abuse; (2) educational and community-based programs; (3) HIV; 
and (4) sexually transmitted diseases. Potential applicants may access 
Healthy People 2010 documents online at http://www.health.gov/healthypeople/. A CD-ROM containing the Healthy People objectives for 
2010 may be obtained by calling 1-800-367-4725.

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 launched the Technical Assistance and Capacity 
Development Demonstration Grant Program for HIV/AIDS-Related Services 
in Highly Impacted Minority Communities in fiscal year (FY) 1999 to 
assist in addressing the HIV/AIDS issues facing minority communities in 
15 eligible metropolitan statistical areas. This program is based on 
the hypothesis that providing technical assistance and capacity 
development to organizations closely linked with the minority 
populations highly impacted by the disease, will improve their capacity 
to better serve minority populations with HIV/AIDS prevention and 
treatment. It is anticipated that this approach will strengthen 
existing minority CBOs and inexperienced organizations in addressing 
this health issue by developing and expanding their technical skills 
and infrastructure capacity. In FY 2000, additional funds are being 
made available to increase the number of organizations participating in 
the program. Applicants are encouraged to establish linkages with other 
federally funded programs supporting HIV/AIDS prevention and care to 
maximize these efforts.

Disproportionate Effect of HIV/AIDS on Minorities

    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.
    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 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.

Eligible Applicants

    The following public and private, nonprofit entities are eligible 
to apply for this grant: (a) A community coalition consisting of at 
least three discrete organizations with either a minority CBO or state/
local health department as the lead organization; (b) a minority CBO; 
or (c) a state/local health department. (See definitions of Community 
Coalition and Minority Community-Based Organization found in this 
announcement.) The applicant must provide the necessary administrative 
infrastructure to receive and appropriately manage the federal funds. 
The coalition may also incorporate other partners such as a hospital, a 
minority health management group, an AIDS Service Organization, or 
other CBOs with strong links to the target population.
    Fifteen Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) were identified in FY 
1999 as having the highest incidence of AIDS cases reported for 1996 
and 1997. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's 
HIV/AIDS Surveillance Report for 1999, these same 15 MSAs continue to 
be identified as having the highest cumulative total of AIDS cases 
reported for the four years, 1996-1999. Last year, funds were available 
to support 4 of the 15 MSAs through this program: Chicago, IL; Miami, 
FL; New York, NY; and San Juan, PR. For FY 2000, the program will focus 
on the remaining 11 MSAs in order to maximize limited resources 
available this fiscal year.
    Eligible applicants must be located in one of the remaining 11 
MSAs. Specifically, the 11 MSAs are:
     Atlanta, GA
     Baltimore, MD
     Boston, MA
     Dallas, TX
     Ft. Lauderdale, FL
     Houston, TX
     Los Angeles, CA
     Newark, NJ
     Philadelphia, PA
     San Francisco, CA
     Washington, DC
    National organizations, universities and institutions of higher 
education are

[[Page 19902]]

not eligible to apply, although they may be members of the coalition. 
Local affiliates of national organizations which meet the definition of 
a minority community-based organization, however, are eligible.

Project Requirements

    The applicant must propose to conduct a model program within the 
eligible metropolitan statistical area which is designed to carry out 
the following functions:
    (1) Identify the existing capacity for delivering HIV-related 
services (both HIV prevention and treatment) to minority populations 
and compare this with available HIV/AIDS surveillance data. The use of 
geographic information systems and related techniques should be given 
due consideration as one of the tools to address this area;
    (2) Identify high risk minority communities where there are 
recognized gaps in services for minority populations with HIV/AIDS;
    (3) Increase the capacity of existing minority CBOs including 
small, non-federally funded minority CBOs which are well interfaced 
with the populations to be served to deliver HIV/AIDS prevention and 
care by:
    (a) Providing administrative technical assistance to improve the 
fiscal and organizational capacity appropriate to their programmatic 
responsibilities, which may require a mentoring relationship over time; 
and
    (b) Identifying programmatic technical assistance from the 
Department of Health and Human Services' Operating Divisions and 
linking appropriate CBOs with these resources.
    (4) Utilizing consultants, as needed, to provide specific technical 
assistance beyond the expertise of core staff (e.g., peer-peer 
technical assistance capability); and
    (5) Working with newly identified CBOs to develop strong linkages 
with other providers of services to complete a continuum of prevention 
and treatment services, including substance abuse treatment and mental 
health services for minority HIV/AIDS populations.

Availability of Funds

    Approximately $2.0 million is expected to be available for award in 
FY 2000. It is projected that awards of up to $1.0 million total costs 
(direct and indirect) for a 12-month period will be made to two 
competing applicants.

Use of Grant Funds

    Budgets of up to $1.0 million total costs (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 objectives and activities and include a computational 
explanation of how costs were determined.

Period of Support

    The start date for the Technical Assistance and Capacity 
Development Demonstration Grant Program for HIV/AIDS-Related Services 
in Highly Impacted Minority Communities, is September 30, 2000. Support 
may be requested for a total project period not to exceed 3 years. 
Noncompeting continuation awards of up to $1.0 million will be made 
subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funds.

Deadline

    To receive consideration, grant applications must be received by 
the Office of Minority Health (OMH) Grants Management Office by June 
12, 2000. 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 and approved by OMB under control Number 0937-0189). 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.

Criteria for Evaluating Applications

Review of Application

    Applications will be screened upon receipt. Those that are judged 
to be incomplete, non-responsive to the announcement or nonconforming 
will be returned without comment. Each applicant may submit no more 
than one proposal under this announcement. If an organization submits 
more than one proposal, all will be deemed ineligible and returned 
without comment. 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 technical assistance and capacity 
development program, and their understanding and knowledge of the 
health problems 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 HIV/AIDS epidemic at the 
local level. Established level of cultural competence and sensitivity 
to the issues of minority populations impacted by HIV/AIDS in the 
service area. Expertise and understanding of HIV/AIDS prevention and 
treatment service delivery systems especially as related to HIV/AIDS 
care among minority populations. Demonstrated need for technical 
assistance and capacity development among the proposed target service 
organizations. History of long term relationship with the targeted 
minority community and evidence of support of local agencies and/or 
organizations.
    Extent to which the applicant demonstrates access to targeted

[[Page 19903]]

organizations, is well-positioned and accepted within the communities 
to be served, and able to interface with community leadership and 
existing provider systems in the area. Demonstration of objective 
outcomes of past efforts/activities with the target population.
Factor 2: Objectives (15%)
    Relative merit of the objectives of the demonstration project, 
their relevance to the program purpose and stated problem, and their 
attainability in the stated time frames.
Factor 3: Methodology (35%)
    Appropriateness of proposed approach including any established 
organizational linkages for providing administrative and programmatic 
technical assistance related to HIV/AIDS and assisting with the 
capacity development of identified CBOs. Appropriateness of specific 
activities for providing administrative and programmatic technical 
assistance related to HIV/AIDS and capacity development. Logic and 
sequencing of the planned approaches in relation to the provision of 
HIV/AIDS technical assistance and capacity development. Appropriateness 
of defined roles and resources.
Factor 4: Evaluation (20%)
    Thoroughness, feasibility, and appropriateness of the evaluation 
design, data collection, and analysis procedures. For example, number 
of new CBOs identified, number of new CBOs submitting applications for 
grants and number of grants awarded, number of CBOs requesting 
technical assistance and the percentage receiving it, and 
identification of outcome variables for quality of service. Clarity of 
the intent and plans to document the activities and their outcomes to 
establish a model. 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 demonstrates an ability to mobilize a strong 
administrative technical assistance capacity with onsite knowledge of 
organizational management skills, diversification of fiscal base, and 
organizational development. 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 management experience of the applicant.

Award Criteria

    Funding decisions will be determined by the Deputy Assistant 
Secretary for Minority Health of the Office of Minority Health and the 
Director of the Office of HIV/AIDS Policy and will take under 
consideration: Recommendations/ratings of the review panel and 
geographic and racial/ethnic distribution. Consideration will also be 
given to projects proposed to be implemented in Empowerment Zones and 
Enterprise Communities in the 11 eligible metropolitan statistical 
areas.

Definitions

    For purposes of this grant announcement, the following definitions 
are provided:
    Community-Based Organization--Public and private, nonprofit 
organizations which are representative of communities or significant 
segments of communities, and which address health and human services.
    Community Coalition--At least three (3) discrete organizations and 
institutions in a community which collaborate on specific community 
concerns, and seeks resolution of those concerns through a formalized 
relationship documented by written memoranda of understanding/ 
agreement signed by individuals with the authority to represent the 
organizations (e.g., president, chief executive officer, executive 
director).
    Minority Community-Based Organization--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 program 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.)

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 
progress 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 CFR 74.50--74.52.

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, Public Law 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.

Public Health System Reporting Requirements

    This program is subject to Public Health Systems Reporting 
Requirements. Under these requirements, a community-based 
nongovernmental applicant must prepare and submit a Public Health 
System Impact Statement (PHSIS). The PHSIS is intended to provide 
information to State and local health officials to keep them apprised 
of proposed health services grant applications submitted by community-
based organizations within their jurisdictions.
    Community-based nongovernmental applicants are required to submit, 
no later than the Federal due date for receipt of the application, the 
following information to the head of the appropriate State and local 
health agencies in the area(s) to be impacted: (a) A copy of the face 
page of the application (SF 424), and (b) a summary of the project 
(PHSIS), not to exceed one page, which provides: (1) A description of 
the population to be served, (2) a summary of the services to be 
provided, and (3) a description of the coordination planned with the 
appropriate State or local health agencies. Copies of the letters 
forwarding the PHSIS to these authorities must be contained in the 
application materials submitted to the Office of Minority Health.

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

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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 93.006.

    Dated: March 31, 2000.
Nathan Stinson, Jr.,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Minority Health.
[FR Doc. 00-9149 Filed 3-12-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-17-P