[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 114 (Tuesday, June 13, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37146-37149]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-14832]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[Program Announcement 00069]


Initiatives to Develop and Implement Programs to Enhance Epilepsy 
Public Awareness and Partnership, Education, and Communication; Notice 
of Availability of Funds

A. Purpose

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announces the

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availability of fiscal year (FY) 2000 funds for a cooperative agreement 
program with a national health organization to develop and implement 
programs to enhance epilepsy public awareness and partnership, 
education, and communication. Focus on these program areas stems from 
the results of Living Well with Epilepsy, the first national conference 
on public health and epilepsy, convened in September, 1997. Close 
collaboration among the public health, clinical, and advocacy 
communities represented at the conference resulted in the 
identification of priority epilepsy concerns including education, 
communication and improved public awareness.
    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 area of Disability and Secondary 
Conditions. For the conference copy of ``Healthy People 2010,'' visit 
the internet site: http://www.health.gov/healthypeople>.
    The purpose of this program is to conduct epilepsy programs to 
promote public awareness and partnerships, to provide epilepsy 
education for the general public and for health care providers; and to 
develop and enhance communication channels to allow for improved 
interaction and information sharing among those with epilepsy and their 
families, as well as those who advocate for persons with epilepsy and 
those who provide care and services for persons with epilepsy, 
researchers, public health specialists, and the general public.

B. Eligible Applicants

    Assistance will be provided only to a private, non-profit 501(c)(3) 
organization that is a national voluntary health organization dedicated 
to assisting persons with epilepsy. Eligible applicants must have 
established working relationships with affiliate chapters and other 
agencies and organizations concerned with epilepsy on a national basis 
in order to expand epilepsy public awareness and public and provider 
education about epilepsy. Eligibility status must be documented in the 
Executive Summary section of the application. Applications which are 
determined to be ineligible will not be reviewed and will be returned 
to the applicant.
    Limited competition is justified under this program announcement 
because of the need to encourage and enhance public health initiatives 
in the field of epilepsy as directed by the Congressional appropriation 
committees for FY 2000. Specifically, the Conference Report 
accompanying Public Law 106-113 (H.R. 3194), Consolidated 
Appropriations Act 2000, found at H.R. Rep. No. 106-479, at 599 (1999) 
directed CDC to expand epilepsy surveillance, public awareness 
activities, and public and provider education. Furthermore, the Senate 
and House Appropriations Committees encouraged CDC to partner with a 
National voluntary health organization dedicated to assisting persons 
with epilepsy in implementing public health initiatives related to 
epilepsy.

    Note:  Public Law 104-65 states that an organization described 
in section 501(c)(4) of 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 $200,000.00 is available in FY 2000 to fund this 
award. It is expected that the 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 5 years. The funding estimate 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.

Funding Preference

    A funding preference will be given to a national voluntary health 
organization having a nationwide network of affiliates covering all 
Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) regions including the 
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico in order to provide broad geographical 
coverage for the dissemination of epilepsy programs.

D. Program Requirements

    In conducting activities to achieve the purposes 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

    The applicant must propose activities in one or more of the 
following three priority areas listed below. If research activities are 
proposed, the applicant should discuss the potential involvement of 
human subjects and document how CDC human subject requirements will be 
met.

a. Partnership Building

    (1) Develop mechanisms to provide financial and personnel support 
to epilepsy affiliates/chapters to facilitate building collaborative 
public health partnerships with state and local health departments.
    (2) Develop mechanisms to provide financial and personnel support 
to health related organizations (other than epilepsy affiliates/
chapters) to facilitate building collaborative partnerships.
    (3) Develop ongoing communication vehicles (i.e., listservs, web 
sites, newsletters, conference calls, meetings) to facilitate problem 
solving and idea sharing among organizations involved in collaborative 
activities to implement programs to promote public awareness of 
epilepsy, provide education for those with epilepsy, the general public 
and for health care providers, and enhance communication channels.

b. Create Awareness/Improve Health Communications

    (1) Implement a sustained multifaceted media relations outreach 
program.
    (2) Develop, implement and evaluate strategies to broaden 
dissemination of existing educational materials, particularly those 
that focus on teens with epilepsy, to those with epilepsy who are under 
served.

c. Consumer and Provider Education

    (1) Develop or adapt, evaluate, and disseminate low-literacy 
epilepsy education materials; and/or educational materials for large 
minority groups (e.g., Hispanic, Asian, American Natives, African 
American).
    (2) Develop, evaluate, and disseminate epilepsy self-management 
materials delivered through traditional and/or alternative delivery 
mechanisms (i.e., Internet-based, CD ROM, other).
    (3) Develop appropriate training on selected epilepsy interventions 
with demonstrated cost-effectiveness with appropriate experts including 
international organizations.
    (4) Develop, evaluate, and disseminate continuing medical education 
(CME) or CME and continuing education units (CEU) granting self study 
professional education through alternative delivery mechanisms (i.e., 
Internet based, CD-ROM).

2. CDC Activities

    a. Collaborate in planning, implementing, and evaluating strategies 
and programs.
    b. Assist in the analysis and interpretation of the evaluation 
phase of projects or programs.

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    c. Provide programmatic consultation and guidance in support of the 
program.
    d. Assist in the planning and implementation of linkages with 
local, national, or international epilepsy organizations or agencies.

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. Applicant is required to submit an original and two copies of the 
application. The application, excluding appendices, should not exceed 
30 pages. Pages should be clearly numbered and a complete index to the 
application and any appendices should be included. The original and 
each copy of the application must be submitted unstapled and unbound. 
All materials must be typewritten, double-spaced, with unreduced type 
on 8-1/2" by 11" paper, with at least 1" margins, headers and footers, 
and printed on one side only. The application should be organized in 
the following sections.

1. Executive Summary

    Provide a clear, concise, and objectively written statement of the 
major objectives and components of proposed activities, proposed time 
frame, and evaluation plan. Document your organization's national 
network by providing a list of your affiliate locations. Also, include 
proof of your non-profit status.

2. Existing Resources and Needs Assessment

    Describe the documented need for the proposed activities and 
current activities that provide relevant experience and expertise to 
perform the proposed activities.

3. Collaborative Relationships

    Describe collaborative relationships with other agencies and 
organizations that will be involved in the proposed activities.

4. Operational and Evaluation Plan

    Describe the specific outcome and process objectives for each 
proposed project with deliverables clearly identified, the major steps 
required to achieve the objectives, and a projected timetable for 
completion that displays dates for the accomplishment of specific 
proposed activities. Describe how achievement of outcome and process 
objectives, and program effectiveness will be evaluated.

5. Management and Staffing Plan

    Describe how the program will be effectively managed including:
    (a) Management structure including the lines of authority and plans 
for fiscal control.
    (b) The staff positions responsible for implementation of the 
program.
    (c) Qualifications and experience of the designated staff.

6. Budget and Justification

    Provide a detailed budget request and line-item justification of 
all proposed operating expenses.

F. Submission and Deadline

    Submit the original and two copies of PHS-5161-1 (OMB Number 0937-
0189) to the Grants Management Specialist identified in the Section J., 
``Where to Obtain Additional Information.'' The application deadline 
date is July 7, 2000.
    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 (100 Points)

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

1. Resources and Needs Assessment: (25 points)

    The relevance of the needs assessment and extent to which the 
applicant demonstrates that current activities provide experience and 
expertise for the proposed projects.

2. Collaboration: (15 points)

    The extent to which the applicant provides evidence of 
collaborative relationships with other agencies and organizations 
relevant to successful completion of the proposed projects. The extent 
to which the applicant documents their nationwide affiliate network.

3. Proposed Operational and Evaluation Plan: (35 points)

    The extent to which the applicant clearly identifies the specific 
outcome and process objectives for the proposed projects, deliverables, 
and the major steps required to meet the objectives; provides a 
realistic plan for involving others in the project; and proposes an 
evaluation plan that is likely to provide meaningful information about 
the achievement of the projects.

4. Proposed Implementation Schedule: (10 points)

    The extent to which the projected timetable for completion of tasks 
and for meeting objectives is reasonable and realistic.

5. Project Management and Staffing Plan: (15 points)

    The extent to which the applicant demonstrates management structure 
and staff positions with clear lines of authority and plans for fiscal 
control, and that designated staff have appropriate qualifications and 
experience. If applicable, 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 community(ies) and recognition of mutual benefits.

6. Budget: (Not Scored)

    The extent to which the applicant provides a detailed budget and 
justification consistent with the proposed program objectives and 
activities.

7. Human Subjects Research (Not Scored)

    If applicable, 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 an original plus two copies of:

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    1. semiannual 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 Specialist identified in 
Section J., ``Where to Obtain Additional Information.''
    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 Ethic
Minorities in Research
AR 10  Smoke-Free Workplace Requirements
AR-11  Healthy People 2010
AR-12  Lobbying Restrictions
AR-14  Accounting System Requirements
AR-15  Proof of Non-Profit Status

I. Authority and Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number

    This program is authorized under the sections 301(a) and 317(k)(2) 
the Public Health Service Act, [42 U.S.C. 241(a) and 247b(k)(2)], as 
amended. The Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance number is 93.283.

J. Where To Obtain Additional Information

    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 
Announcement number of interest.
    If you have questions after reviewing the contents of all the 
documents, business management assistance may be obtained from: Barry 
Copeland, Grants Management Specialist, Grants Management Branch, 
Procurement and Grants Office Announcement 00069, Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention, Room 3000, 2920 Brandywine Road, Atlanta, GA 
30341-4146, Telephone (770) 488-2762, E-mail: [email protected].
    This and other CDC announcements can be found on the CDC home page 
Internet address--http://www.cdc.gov. Click on Funding then click on 
Grants and Cooperative Agreements.
    For program technical assistance, contact: Mike Waller, Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Adult and Community Health, 
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, 
4770 Buford Highway NE, Atlanta, GA, 30341-3717, Telephone: (770) 488-
5264, E-mail: [email protected].

    Dated: June 6, 2000.
Henry S. Cassel III,
Deputy Director, Procurement and Grants Office, Center for Disease 
Control and Prevention (CDC).
[FR Doc. 00-14832 Filed 6-12-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P