[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 94 (Monday, May 15, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 31012]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-12059]



[[Page 31012]]

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Resources and Services Administration


Notice of a Cooperative Agreement With the National Association 
of County and City Health Officials

    In anticipation of Fiscal Year (FY) 2001 funding, the Health 
Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) announces its intention to 
award a cooperative agreement with the National Association of County 
and City Health Officials (NACCHO) to increase access and eliminate 
disparities in health care for the underserved/uninsured by 
strengthening the local public health systems and supporting programs 
that assist local communities.
    The purpose of this project is to: (1) Address the health care 
needs of the underserved and vulnerable populations, the needs of 
health care providers who serve vulnerable populations, and related 
public health issues; and (2) assist NACCHO in developing and convening 
national and regional policy forums and provide educational and 
resource materials emanating from these forums for county and city 
policymakers on the above areas.
    There is no other ongoing group that can convene the high-ranking 
decision-makers representing county and city health officials' 
interests around an issue of importance to HRSA. This group will 
facilitate communication on current and emerging strategies addressing 
common priorities, and will enable HRSA to better leverage limited 
resources by improving planning and program design to complement other 
public and private sector initiatives serving the needs of the same 
populations.

Authorizing Legislation

    This program is authorized under section 301 of the Public Health 
Service Act [42 U.S.C. 241], as amended.

Eligible Applicants

    Assistance will be provided only to the National Association of 
County and City Health Officials (NACCHO). No other applications are 
solicited.
    The NACCHO is the only nonprofit membership organization serving 
all of the nearly 3,000 local health departments nationwide--in cities, 
counties, townships, and districts.

Availability of Funds

    Approximately $100,000 is available in FY 2001 to fund this award. 
It is expected the award will begin on or after October 1, 2000, and 
will be for a 12-month budget period with a project period of 5 years. 
Funding estimates may vary and are subject to 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.

Program Requirements

    This project will provide an Agency-level cooperative agreement 
with NACCHO to address cross-cutting publicly-funded public health 
program integration and health care access issues identified by county 
and city public health officials. Through this project, NACCHO will 
provide assistance to HRSA and HRSA grantees, such as states and local 
governments, health centers, Maternal and Child Health programs, and 
rural health offices, to evaluate the effectiveness of their programs 
and initiatives to address the needs of the underserved and targeted 
populations. It will include activities that are mutually agreed to by 
HRSA and NACCHO, including addressing HRSA priority issues.
    Specifically, HRSA's role in the cooperative agreement will include 
participating in the planning of the forums conducted during the period 
of the cooperative agreement, including developing the agendas and 
identifying participants who should be invited to address issues of 
importance from the Federal perspective at these forums, providing 
consultation and technical assistance in planning, operating, and 
evaluating program activities, facilitating collaboration with NACCHO 
staff and other county and city health agencies to reach the target 
population, facilitating efforts in the provision of technical 
assistance and training to specified individuals and organizations, and 
maintaining an ongoing dialogue with the applicant concerning program 
plans, policies, and other issues which may have major implications for 
any activities undertaken by the applicant under the cooperative 
agreement.
    The recipient shall be responsible for carrying out activities to 
support the following:
    (1) Developing, printing, and distributing articles, reports, or 
other documents relating to health care access, unmet population needs, 
provider capacity, the uses of existing data systems within counties 
and cities to address health care needs of the population, and the 
complexity of private sector initiatives for use by county and city 
health officials.
    (2) Convening regional or national meetings of county and city 
health officials and others, as appropriate, for discussion of public 
and private sector strategies and best practices in HRSA priority 
issues to include appropriate topics and audiences to exchange 
information. Some of these priority issues include: (a) Infrastructure 
building; (b) capacity to assure provision of essential public health 
services; (c) providing an opportunity for HRSA stakeholders to comment 
on HRSA's performance; (d) building upon integrated public health 
infrastructures which use data to address public health issues of the 
counties and cities; (e) improving the health status of vulnerable 
populations; (f) assisting in the development of work force information 
systems; and (g) advising on the development of a Legislative Handbook 
on Public Health (review, solicit input from NACCHO members, summarize 
comments, and work closely with National Conference for State 
Legislatures' staff as the Handbook is drafted).
    (3) Participating in HRSA-sponsored meetings and events, as 
appropriate.
    (4) Coordinating activities with county and city health department 
contacts, including public health experts, to ensure that NACCHO 
members are aware of public health programs and activities in their 
local area.

Where To Obtain Additional Information

Diane Rodill, Ph.D., Project Officer, Center for Public Health 
Practice, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), 5600 
Fishers Lane, Room14-15 Parklawn Building, Rockville, MD 20857, 
Telephone: (301) 443-4034, E-mail: [email protected]

    Dated: May 9, 2000.
Claude Earl Fox,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 00-12059 Filed 5-12-00; 8:45 am]
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