[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 87 (Thursday, May 4, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25934-25936]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-11092]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[Program Announcement 00107]


Population-Based Surveillance of Autism Spectrum Disorders and 
Other Developmental Disabilities; 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 Population-Based Surveillance of Autism Spectrum Disorders 
and other Developmental Disabilities. CDC is committed to achieving the 
health promotion and disease prevention objectives of ``Healthy People 
2010.'' This announcement is related to the focus area of Maternal, 
Infant and Child Health. http://www.health.gov/healthypeople.
    The purpose of the program is to: Enhance an existing system or 
develop and implement a new system to undertake a multiple source 
surveillance methodology, from existing data records, for determining 
the prevalence of autism and other developmental disabilities, such as 
mental retardation, cerebral palsy, and vision and hearing impairments, 
in 3-10 year-old children within a geographically-defined area 
(combination of States, Statewide, or regions within a State).

B. Eligible Applicants

    Assistance will be provided only to the health departments of 
States or their

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bona fide agents, including the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth 
of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern 
Mariana Islands, American Samoa, Guam, federally recognized Indian 
tribal governments, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of 
the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau.
    Applicants must document a surveillance population of at least 
30,000 live per births per year within a State, area of a state (such 
as the catchment of a local health agency), or a combination of States.

    Note: Only one application will be accepted from each State or 
combination of States, and the latter must specify which State is 
the lead applicant.

C. Availability of Funds

    Approximately $300,000 is available in FY 2000 to fund two awards. 
Each award is expected to be approximately $150,000. It is expected 
that the awards will begin on or about September 30, 2000, and will be 
made for a 12-month budget period within a project period of 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.

D. Program Requirements

    In conducting activities to achieve the purpose of this program, 
the recipient will be responsible for the activities under 1. 
(Recipient Activities), and CDC will be responsible for the activities 
listed under 2. (CDC Activities).

1. Recipient Activities

    a. To develop or enhance a surveillance program for autism and 
other developmental disabilities:
    i. Develop surveillance case definition(s);
    ii. Develop multiple source surveillance methodology; and
    iii. Develop data collection instruments and methods for obtaining 
information from medical/clinical and school records.
    b. Establish a multiple-source methodology to ascertain cases of 
autism and generate population-based prevalence estimates by developing 
collaborative relationships with appropriate professionals and 
organizations.
    c. Develop a plan for training community service providers to 
improve case ascertainment.
    d. Implement quality assurance procedures, including clinical 
validation of diagnoses in a sample of cases, to ensure that study 
protocols are being followed.
    e. Develop an evaluation plan for estimating the completeness of 
the surveillance system.
    f. Compile and disseminate the findings of the project.

2. CDC Activities

    a. Assist recipient in the development and implementation of 
surveillance activities including the development of a standardized 
surveillance case definition.
    b. Provide current scientific information on surveillance methods.
    c. Provide assistance in the development of an evaluation plan for 
the completeness of the surveillance system.

E. Application Content

    Use the information in the Program Requirements, 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, unreduced font, unbound, 
and unstapled.

F. Submission and Deadline

Application

    Submit the original and two copies of PHS 5161-1 (OMB Number 0937-
0189). Forms are in the application kit.
    On or before July 7, 2000, submit the application to the Grants 
Management Specialist identified in the ``Where to Obtain Additional 
Information'' section of this announcement. Deadline: Applications 
shall be considered as meeting the deadline if they are either:
    (a) Received on or before the deadline date; or
    (b) Sent on or before the deadline date and received in time for 
submission to the Objective Review Panel. (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

    Each application will be evaluated individually against the 
following criteria by an independent review group appointed by CDC.

1. Understanding of the Problem (20 Percent)

    (a) The extent to which the applicant has a clear, concise 
understanding of the requirements, objectives, and purposes of the 
cooperative agreement.
    (b) The extent to which the application reflects an understanding 
of the complexities of autism and developmental disabilities 
surveillance.

2. Technical Approach (30 Percent)

    The extent to which the applicant describes the planning process, 
including specific planning objectives, strategies for achieving these 
objectives, and describes an approach to surveillance of autism and 
other developmental disabilities. The applicant should demonstrate its 
collaboration with health and education services that would be 
appropriate sources of cases for the surveillance system (by letters of 
support). The degree to which the applicant has met the CDC policy 
requirements regarding the inclusion of women, ethnic, and racial 
groups in the proposed research. This includes:
    (a) The proposed plan for the inclusion of both sexes and racial 
and ethnic minority populations for appropriate representation.
    (b) The proposed justification when representation is limited or 
absent.
    (c) A statement as to whether the design of the study is adequate 
to measure differences when warranted.
    (d) A statement as to whether the plans for recruitment and 
outreach for study participants include the process of establishing 
partnerships with communities and recognition of mutual benefits.

3. Capability and Experience (30 Percent)

    The extent to which the applicant has the professed skills and 
experience to conduct a project of this nature, including reputation in 
the field and demonstrated experience in conducting similar projects.

4. Staffing and Management Resources (20 Percent)

    The extent to which the applicant demonstrates that the proposed 
Project Director or Principal Investigator is knowledgeable regarding 
autism, developmental disabilities, and surveillance issues, as 
evidenced by publications, presentations, or other materials that 
document prior work. The extent to which the applicant demonstrates 
that other project staff

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have appropriate training and experience in the field of autism, other 
developmental disabilities, and surveillance activities, as evidenced 
by publications, presentations, or other materials that document prior 
work. Demonstration of the ability to provide adequate facilities and 
other necessary resources to carry out all proposed activities.

5. Budget (Not Scored)

    The extent to which the budget is reasonable, clearly justified, 
and consistent with the stated objectives and proposed activities.

6. Human Subjects Requirements (Not Scored)

    The extent to which the applicant complies with the Department of 
Health and Human Services regulation (45 CFR part 46) on the protection 
of human subjects.

H. Other Requirements

Technical Reporting Requirements

    Provide CDC with original plus two copies of:
    1. Semi-annual reports, no more than 30 days after the end of the 
report period;
    2. Financial status report, no more than 90 days after the end of 
the budget period; and
    3. Final financial status 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 Attachment I in the 
application kit.

AR-1  Human Subjects Requirements
AR-2  Requirements for Inclusion of Women and Racial and Ethnic 
Minorities in Research
AR-7  Executive Order 12372 Review
AR-9  Paperwork Reduction Act Requirements
AR-10  Smoke-Free Workplace Requirements
AR-11  Healthy People 2010
AR-12  Lobbying Restrictions

I. Authority and Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number

    This program is authorized under sections 301 and 317 of the Public 
Health Service Act, [42 U.S.C. sections 241 and 247b, as amended]. The 
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number is 93.283.

J. Where To Obtain Additional Information

    This and other documents may be downloaded through the CDC homepage 
on the Internet at http://www.cdc.gov (click on funding).
    Please refer to Program Announcement 00107 when you request 
information. For business management technical assistance, please 
contact: Mattie B. Jackson, Grants Management Specialist, Grants 
Management Branch, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention, 2920 Brandywine Road, Room 3000, Atlanta, GA 
30341-4146, Telephone number: 770/488-2718, Email address: 
[email protected].
    For program technical assistance, contact: Tom Horne, Principal 
Management Officer, Developmental Disabilities Branch, National Center 
for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 
(F-15), 4770 Buford Hwy, NE, Atlanta, GA 30341, Telephone: 770/488-
7364, Email address: [email protected].

    Dated: April 28, 2000.
John L. Williams,
Director, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control 
and Prevention (CDC).
[FR Doc. 00-11092 Filed 5-3-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P