[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 84 (Monday, May 1, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25330-25332]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-10735]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[Program Announcement 00067]


Cooperative Agreement to the Association of State and Territorial 
Health Officials; 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 
with the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) 
to act as a conduit of information exchange between the States and the 
National Immunization Program, keep abreast and inform its constituency 
of current, proposed, and new legislation regarding immunization, work 
to create partnerships between State health departments and private 
health care organizations, and create mechanisms to communicate with 
and inform their constituency and partners. This program addresses the 
``Healthy People 2010,'' a national activity to reduce morbidity and 
mortality and improve the quality of life. This announcement is related 
to the focus area of Immunization and Infectious Diseases. For a 
conference copy of ``Healthy People 2010,'' visit the internet site: 
http://www.health.gov/healthypeople.

B. Eligible Applicants

    Assistance will be provided only to ASTHO. No other applications 
are solicited. ASTHO is the most appropriate and qualified agency to 
conduct the activities under this cooperative agreement because ASTHO 
represents the chief public health official of each State and 
territory. Through its own membership, ASTHO has developed unique 
knowledge and understanding of the needs and operations of State health 
agencies. ASTHO has already developed a wealth of experience in 
immunization policy, support of State immunization programs, and 
collaborating to conduct immunization activities.

C. Availability of Funds

    Approximately $250,000 will be available to fund one cooperative 
agreement. It is expected that this award will begin on or about 
September 30, 2000, and will be made for a 12-month budget period 
within a project period of up to five years. Funding estimates may 
change.
    Continuation awards within an approved project period will be made 
on the basis of satisfactory progress as evidenced by required reports 
and the availability of funds.

Use of Funds

    Funds cannot be used for construction or renovation, to purchase or 
lease vehicles or vans, to purchase a facility to house project staff 
or carry out project activities, or to substitute new activities and 
expenditures for current ones.

D. Programmatic Requirements

    In conducting activities to achieve the purpose of this Cooperative 
Agreement, ASTHO will be responsible for achieving the activities under 
Item 1. Recipient Activities. The CDC will be responsible for 
activities under Item 2. CDC Activities.

1. Recipient Activities

    A. Coordinate immunization efforts with existing ASTHO health 
projects, associations of public health officials, Women Infants and 
Children Program (WIC), The Council of State and Territorial 
Epidemiologists (CSTE), Association of Immunization Managers (AIM), and 
other organized health related associations where immunization programs 
can have an impact.
    B. Facilitate outreach to private providers, non-profit 
organizations and entities involved in comprehensive school health to 
increase participation in the Vaccines for Children and Children's 
Health Insurance Program.
    C. Attend meetings and keep State health officers and other 
partners informed of issues addressed by the Advisory committee on 
Immunization Practices, the National Vaccine Advisory Committee, and 
ASTHO Affiliate Immunization Committees.
    D. Provide information on key immunization developments to State 
health officials, State immunization coordinators, appropriate adult or 
adolescent groups, and school health contacts via newsletters, 
conference calls, and other multimedia sources.
    E. Organize and convene meetings and workshops on an as-needed 
basis for the purpose of exchanging information and program updates.
    F. Collaborate with CDC on immunization issues regarding vaccine 
safety, immunization registries, immunization coverage studies, and the 
development and coordination of immunization national policy and 
evaluation.

2. CDC Activities

    A. Provide technical assistance in implementing activities, 
identifying major immunization issues, effective programs, and setting 
priorities related to the cooperative agreement.
    B. Provide scientific collaboration for appropriate aspects of the 
activities, including information on disease impact, vaccination 
coverage levels, and prevention strategies.
    C. Assist in development and review of relevant immunization 
information made available to federal, State, and local health 
agencies, health care providers, and volunteer organizations.
    D. Provide assistance to the grantee in establishing and 
implementing mechanisms for evaluating the reach of the program and 
effectiveness of the materials produced.

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E. Application Content

    Use the information in the Program Requirements, Other 
Requirements, and Evaluation Criteria sections to develop the 
application content. Applications will be evaluated on the criteria 
listed, so it is important to follow them in laying out the program 
plan. The application should be no more than 35 double-spaced pages, 
printed on one side, with one inch margins, and 12 point font not 
including attachments.

Organization Profile

    A. Provide a narrative, including background information and 
information on the applicant organization, evidence of relevant 
experience in coordinating activities among constituents, and a clear 
understanding of the purpose of the project.
    B. Include details of past experiences working with the target 
population(s). Provide information on organizational capability to 
conduct proposed project activities.
    C. Profile qualified and experienced personnel who are available to 
work on the project and provide evidence of an organizational structure 
that can meet the terms of the project. Include an organizational chart 
of the applicant organization specifying the location and staffing plan 
for the proposed project.

Program Plan

    A. Include goals and measurable impact and process objectives that 
are specific, realistic, measurable, and time-phased. Include an 
explanation of how the objectives contribute to the purposes of the 
request for assistance and evidence that demonstrates the potential 
effectiveness of the proposed objectives.
    B. Detail an action plan, including a timeline of activities and 
personnel responsible for implementing each segment of the plan.
    C. Prepare a plan to include impact and process evaluation 
utilizing both quantitative and qualitative measures for the 
achievement of program objectives to determine the reach and 
effectiveness of the message promoted by the grantee, and monitor the 
implementation of proposed activities. Indicate how the quality of 
services provided will be ensured.
    D. Provide a plan for disseminating project results indicating 
when, to whom, and in what format the material will be presented.
    E. Provide a plan for obtaining additional resources from non-
federal sources to supplement program activities and ensure 
continuation of the activities after the end of the project period.

Collaboration Activities

    A. Obtain and include letters of support from local organizations 
and constituents indicating or committing to support the activities of 
this program.
    B. Provide any memoranda of agreement from collaborating 
organizations indicating a willingness to participate in the project, 
the nature of their participation, period of performance, names and 
titles of individuals who will be involved in the project, and the 
process of collaboration. Each memorandum should also show an 
understanding and endorsement of immunization activities.
    C. Provide evidence of collaborative efforts with health 
departments, provider organizations, coalitions, and other local 
organizations.

Budget Information

    Provide a detailed budget with justification. The budget proposal 
should be consistent with the purpose and program plan of the proposed 
project.

F. Submission and Deadline

    Submit the original and two copies of the application PHS 5161-1. 
Forms are available at the following Internet address: 
www.cdc.gov/...Forms, or the application kit.
    On or before June 15, 2000, submit the application to the Grants 
Management Specialist identified in the ``Where to Obtain Additional 
Information'' section of this announcement.

G. Evaluation Criteria

    Each application will be evaluated individually against the 
following criteria by an independent review group appointed by CDC.
    (1) Background and Need: The extent to which the applicant 
understands the problem of underimmunization and proposes a plan to 
address the issues specific to their constituents. (15 points)
    (2) Capability: The ability of the applicant to implement proposed 
activities as measured by relevant past experience. (10 points)
    (3) Management: The extent to which the applicant can provide a 
sound management structure, and staff qualifications, including the 
appropriateness of their proposed roles and responsibilities and job 
descriptions. (15 points)
    (4) Program Plan: The feasibility and appropriateness of the 
applicant's action plan to identify immunization issues, communicate 
with, and reach, targeted populations, coordinate efforts with partner 
groups such as private provider organizations and associations, non-
profit organizations, and State immunization programs. (30 points)
    (5) Collaboration: The extent to which the applicant can show 
support from partner groups such as private provider organizations and 
associations, non-profit organizations, and State immunization 
programs. (20 points)
    (6) Evaluation Plan: The extent to which the applicant proposes to 
evaluate the proposed plan including impact and process evaluation as 
well as quantitative and qualitative measures for achievement of 
program objectives, determining the health effect on the population, 
and monitoring the implementation of proposed activities. (10 points)
    (7) Budget and Justification: The extent to which the proposed 
budget is adequately justified, reasonable, and consistent with 
proposed project activities and this program announcement. (Not Scored)

H. Other Requirements

    Provide CDC with original plus two copies of:
    1. Progress reports (semiannual). The CDC will provide specific 
guidelines for documenting and reporting on program activities.
    2. Financial Status Reports, no more than 90 days after the end of 
the budget period; and
    3. Final financial 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 Addendum I in the 
application kit.

AR-10--Smoke-Free Workplace
AR-11--Healthy People 2010
AR-12--Lobbying Restriction
AR-14--Accounting System Requirements
AR-15--Proof of Non-Profit Status
AR-20--Conference Support

I. Authority and Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number

    This program is authorized under section 311 [42 U.S.C. 243] and 
317(k)(2) [42 U.S.C. 247b(k)(2)] of the Public Health Service Act as 
amended. The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number is 93.185.

J. Where to Obtain Additional Information

    Please refer to Program Announcement Number 00067 when requesting 
information.

[[Page 25332]]

    For business management technical assistance contact:

Mattie B. Jackson, Grants Management Specialist, Grants Management 
Branch, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention 2920 Brandywine Rd., Room 3000, Atlanta, GA 30341-4146. 
Telephone: (770) 488-2718. Email Address: [email protected].

    Other CDC Announcements can be downloaded from the internet at 
http://www.cdc.gov (Click on funding).
    For program technical assistance, contact:

Duane Kilgus, Community Outreach and Planning Branch, Immunization 
Services Division, National Immunization Program, Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, M/S E-52, Atlanta, Georgia 
30333, Telephone: (404) 639-8784, Email [email protected].

    Dated: April 25, 2000.
Henry S. Cassell III,
Acting Director, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention (CDC).
[FR Doc. 00-10735 Filed 4-28-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P