[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 114 (Tuesday, June 13, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37139-37142]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-14830]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[Program Announcement 00010]


Asthma Surveillance and Interventions in Hospital Emergency 
Departments; 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 asthma surveillance and interventions in hospital emergency 
departments. CDC is committed to achieving the health promotion and 
disease prevention objectives of ``Healthy People 2010,'' a national 
activity to reduce morbidity and mortality and improve the quality of 
life. This announcement is related to the focus areas of Environmental 
Health and Respiratory Diseases. For the conference copy of ``Healthy 
People 2010,'' visit the internet site: http://www.health.gov/healthypeople>.
    The purpose of this program is to implement and evaluate a sentinel 
surveillance system designed to monitor trends in and identify reasons 
for receiving asthma care in hospital emergency departments; and to 
develop and implement interventions to improve asthma care and to use 
the surveillance data to evaluate these interventions.

B. Eligible Applicants

    Applications may be submitted by public and private nonprofit 
organizations; that is, universities, colleges and medical schools 
affiliated with non-profit hospitals. No other applications are 
solicited. Universities affiliated with nonprofit hospitals are 
targeted because they have research expertise and can coordinate with 
several hospitals emergency departments which will identify asthma 
patients, enroll them in interventions, and collect and analyze data. 
Universities are likely to have existing relationships with departments 
of health and can coordinate surveillance and intervention activities.

    Note: Public Law 104-65 states that an organization described in 
section 501(c)(4) of

[[Page 37140]]

the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 that engages in lobbying 
activities is not eligible to receive Federal funds constituting an 
award, grant, cooperative agreement, contract, loan or any other 
form.

C. Availability of Funds

    Approximately $500,000 is available in FY 2000 to fund 
approximately two awards. It is expected that the average award will be 
up to $250,000 per year for a three-year period. 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 up to three 
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

    The budget should include a request for travel funds for 
appropriate key staff to participate in the recipient planning meeting 
in Atlanta.

D. Program Requirements

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

1. Recipient Activities

    a. Collaborate with the State health department and a total of 
three to four emergency departments (EDs) in locations serving diverse 
populations (e.g., rural, urban and suburban) to plan and implement 
surveillance and model interventions for asthma.
    b. Participate in a recipient meeting to coordinate surveillance 
and intervention activities across sites.
    c. Develop and pilot test all data collection instruments.
    d. Develop model interventions to reduce severe asthma 
exacerbations by improving care for asthma.
    e. Analyze the data and report surveillance findings to 
collaborating EDs, the State health department and CDC, make 
presentations and prepare written manuscripts for publications.
    f. Evaluate the surveillance system and the effectiveness of the 
interventions to reduce severe asthma exacerbations.

2. CDC Activities

    a. Provide technical assistance in all stages of the project.
    b. Facilitate communication/coordination among recipients to 
improve efficiency of activities, quality of surveillance data, and 
effectiveness of interventions.
    c. The CDC IRB will review and approve the protocol initially and 
on at least an annual basis until the research project is completed.

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 not exceed 30 double-spaced pages, printed 
on one side, with one inch margins, and unreduced font. The 
applications must be submitted unstapled and unbound.
    Applications for the cooperative agreements should include:

1. Background and Need

    a. Description of the number of asthma cases, hospitalizations, 
deaths and/or prevalence in the State.
    b. Description of how hospital emergency department surveillance 
will be used to develop model interventions to improve medical and 
environmental management of asthma which can result in decreased asthma 
exacerbations.
    c. Description of the applicant's collaborations with other 
hospitals, hospital emergency departments, health departments and 
organizations in conducting research or surveillance or developing 
interventions to reduce morbidity or mortality.
    d. Description of collaborating hospital emergency departments' 
experience in public health initiatives, surveillance projects, 
research and multi-center studies, including interventions.
    e. Description of the health department's experience working with 
hospital emergency departments or hospitals and relevant asthma 
prevention surveillance and prevention activities.

2. Goals and Objectives

    Description of specific, measurable and time-framed goals and 
objectives that are consistent with the proposed theme, purpose and 
objectives.

3. Methods

    a. Description of proposed activities to meet the stated goals and 
objectives. For example, describe how interventions will be developed 
to meet the needs of the population served.
    b. Description of timeline to measure progress in meeting stated 
goals and objectives.
    c. Description of the type of hospital (e.g., private, public, 
etc.) and the basis for selection of collaborating hospitals (e.g., 
inner city, urban, suburban and rural) for each participating ED.
    d. Description of the experience of principal investigators, 
collaborating ED contacts, and health department contacts in:
    (1) designing, implementing, administering and evaluating 
surveillance and interventions,
    (2) prior publications, and
    (3) specific authority to carry out the proposed surveillance and 
interventions.
    e. Include letters of support for each collaborating ED and the 
health department.
    f. Description of the roles of all staff involved in the project 
for each participating ED and the health department regardless of their 
funding source. Include their title, qualifications, experience, 
percentage of time each will devote to the project, as well as that 
portion of their salary to be paid by the grant.
    g. Description of the logistics and personnel involved in data 
collection, reporting, analysis, evaluation, dissemination of results 
and publication.
    h. Description of how applicant will meet the CDC policy 
requirements regarding the inclusion of women, ethnic and racial groups 
in the surveillance and interventions. This includes:
    (1) The proposed plan for the inclusion of both sexes and racial 
and ethnic minority populations for appropriate representation.
    (2) The proposed justification when representation is limited or 
absent.
    (3) A statement as to whether the design of the surveillance and 
interventions is adequate to measure differences when warranted.
    (4) A statement as to whether the plans for recruitment and 
outreach for participants include the process of establishing 
partnerships with community(ies) and recognition of mutual benefits.
    i. Description of how surveillance findings will be shared to 
reduce the burden of asthma. EDs may use the findings to develop 
hospital policies, and health departments may develop community 
interventions.
    j. Description of the planned interventions and how their 
effectiveness will be evaluated.

4. Evaluation

    a. Description of a detailed plan to document progress, 
effectiveness, impact and outcome.
    b. Description of the ability of staff to perform the evaluation.

[[Page 37141]]

    c. Description of how evaluation findings will be used to improve 
the surveillance and interventions.

5. Budget Justification

    Description of first year budget with future annual projections.

6. Human Subjects

    Description of how human subjects will be involved and how they 
will be protected.

F. Submission and Deadline

Letter of Intent (LOI)

    Your letter of intent should include a brief description of 
surveillance and interventions planned, the populations served by the 
participating hospital emergency departments, and State health 
department asthma prevention and surveillance activities.
    The letter of intent must be submitted on or before July 10, 2000 
to the Grants Management Specialist identified in the ``Where to Obtain 
Additional Information'' section of this announcement.

Application

    Submit the original and five copies of PHS-398 (OMB Number 0925-
0001). Forms are in the application kit. On or before August 10, 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 independent review group. (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. Background and Need (20 Points)

    a. The extent to which the applicant presents data justifying the 
need for asthma surveillance and interventions in terms of magnitude of 
the asthma problem in their area.
    b. The extent to which applicant describes how hospital emergency-
based surveillance for asthma will be used to develop and evaluate 
interventions in EDs serving different populations (e.g., inner city, 
urban, suburban, rural).
    c. The extent to which the applicant describes current and previous 
experiences conducting surveillance, research and/or interventions in 
hospital emergency departments.
    d. The extent to which applicant describes collaborating EDs' past 
experiences working with the State health department and past 
surveillance, research and/or intervention activities.
    e. The extent to which applicant describes the State health 
department's experience collaborating with hospitals and hospital 
emergency departments as well as asthma surveillance and prevention 
activities.

2. Goals and Objectives (15 Points)

    The extent to which the applicant has included goals which are 
relevant to the purpose of the application and feasible to be 
accomplished during the project period, and the extent to which these 
are specific and measurable.

3. Methods (50 Points)

    a. The extent to which the applicant provides a detailed 
description of proposed activities which are likely to achieve each 
objective and overall program goals including designation of 
responsibility for each action undertaken.
    b. The extent to which applicant provides a reasonable and complete 
schedule for implementing all activities.
    c. The extent to which applicant describes the different 
populations served by collaborating hospital EDs and demonstrates 
support from a contact person within each collaborating ED who will 
serve as coordinator for the project.
    d. The extent to which position descriptions, resumes and lines of 
command are appropriate for accomplishment of program goals and 
objectives.
    e. The extent to which concurrence with the applicant's plans by 
all other involved parties is specific and documented, especially with 
regard to data collection, analysis, dissemination, development; 
implementation of interventions; and evaluation of surveillance and 
interventions.
    f. The degree to which the applicant has met the CDC Policy 
requirements regarding the inclusion of women, ethnic, and racial 
groups in the proposed activities. This includes:
    (1) The proposed plan for the inclusion of both sexes and racial 
and ethnic minority populations for appropriate representation.
    (2) The proposed justification when representation is limited or 
absent.
    (3) A statement as to whether the design of the study is adequate 
to measure differences when warranted.
    (4) 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.
    g. The extent to which applicant describes how surveillance 
findings will be shared and used to develop interventions and policies 
to reduce the burden of acute asthma exacerbations.
    h. The extent to which applicant describes the types of 
interventions, including provisions for continuity of medical care, 
tailoring interventions to different populations, and the evaluation.
    i. The extent to which applicant demonstrates a willingness to 
collaborate with other recipients.

4. Evaluation (15 points)

    a. The extent to which the proposed evaluation system is detailed 
and will document program progress, effectiveness, impact and outcome.
    b. The extent to which applicant documents staff availability, 
expertise and capacity to perform the evaluation.
    c. The extent to which a feasible plan for reporting evaluation 
results and using evaluation information for programmatic decisions is 
included.

5. Budget and Justification (not scored)

    The extent to which the budget is reasonable, adequately justified 
and consistent with the intended use of grant funds.

6. Human Subjects (not scored)

    Does the application adequately address the requirements of Title 
45 CFR Part 46 for the protection of human subjects?

H. Other Requirements

Technical Reporting Requirements

    Provide CDC with original plus two copies of:
    1. Semi-annual progress reports;
    2. Financial status report, 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

[[Page 37142]]

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 1 in the 
application kit.

AR-1--Human Subjects Requirements
AR-2--Requirements for Inclusion of Women and Racial and Ethnic 
Minorities in Research
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 section 301 of the Public Health 
Service Act, [42 U.S.C. section 241], as amended. The Catalog of 
Federal Domestic Assistance number is 93.283.

J. Where To Obtain Additional Information

    This and other CDC announcements are available through the CDC 
homepage on the Internet at: http://www.cdc.gov. To receive additional 
written information and to request an application kit, call 1-888-
GRANTS4 (1-888 472-6874). You will be asked to leave your name and 
address and will be instructed to identify the program announcement 
number (00010).
    If you have questions after reviewing the contents of all the 
documents, business management assistance may be obtained from: Sonia 
Rowell, Grants Management Specialist, Grants Management Branch, 
Procurement and Grants Office, Announcement 00010, Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention, Room 3000, 2920 Brandywine Road, Atlanta, GA 
30341-4146, Telephone: (770) 488-2724, email address: [email protected]

    For program technical assistance, contact: Pamela Meyer, 
Epidemiologist, Air Pollution and Respiratory Health Branch, National 
Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, NE, Mailstop E-17, Atlanta GA 30333, 
telephone: (404) 639-2545, email address: [email protected]

    Dated: June 7, 2000.
Henry S. Cassell III,
Acting Director, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention (CDC).
[FR Doc. 00-14830 Filed 6-12-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P