[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 143 (Tuesday, July 25, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45777-45780]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-18700]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[Program Announcement 00125]


Improve State and Local Health Information and Data Systems; 
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 to improve state and local health information and data systems 
to monitor and improve the health of U.S. populations and their 
communities.
    The 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 priority area--Data and Information 
Systems, Chapter 23, ``Public Health Infrastructure'' of ``Healthy 
People 2010''. Healthy People 2010 is available online at http://www.health.gov/healthypeople/publications/ or the ODPHP Communication 
Support Center, P.O. Box 37366, Washington, DC 20013-7366, (301) 468-
5960.
    The purpose is to develop programs which will enable state and 
local health departments to regularly and systematically collect, 
assemble, analyze, and make available information on the health of 
their populations and communities. Further background may be found in 
1988 the Institute of Medicine published The Future of Public Health, 
which described the three core functions of public health: assessment, 
policy development, and assurance. For assessment, every public health 
agency should regularly and systematically collect, assemble, analyze, 
and make available information on the health of the community, 
including statistics on health status, community health needs, and 
epidemiologic and other studies of health problems.

B. Eligible Applicants

    Funding will be provided only to national non-profit organizations, 
whose primary mission is to support State and local health agencies in 
the collection, management, analysis and dissemination of population-
based, health-related data. These data include data on mortality, 
morbidity, natality, and healthcare (e.g., ambulatory or

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hospital-based), that are derived from surveys, vital registrations, 
disease notifications, disease registries, or health-related 
administrative systems (e.g., Medicaid claims and encounters).
    Eligible national organizations must have affiliate offices and 
local, state, or regional membership constituencies in a minimum of 10 
states and territories. Affiliate offices and local, state, or regional 
membership constituencies may not apply in lieu of, or on behalf of, 
their national office. Colleges and universities and for-profit 
organizations are not eligible to apply.

    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 is available in FY 2000 to fund 
approximately 2 awards. It is expected that the average award will be 
$100,000, ranging from $50,000 to $150,000. It is expected that the 
awards will begin on or about September 29, 2000 and will be made for a 
12-month budget period within a project period of up to 3 years. The 
funding estimate may vary and is 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.

D. Program Requirements

    In conducting activities to achieve the purpose of this program, 
the recipient will be responsible for the activities under ``Recipient 
Activities,'' and CDC will be responsible for the activities listed 
under ``CDC Activities.''

1. Recipient Activities

    a. Establish and maintain activities which support health 
information and data system for state and local health departments.
    b. Assess state and local medicaid, education, and social service 
programs to achieve the purposes of this program.
    c. Implement projects and activities with specific, measurable, and 
feasible goals, objectives, and timelines. Evaluate the effectiveness 
of the activities related to this program including possible indicators 
of success.
    d. Participate in the Division of Public Health Surveillance and 
Informatics (DPHSI) annual Assessment State Meeting each budget year of 
the project for the purpose of sharing best practices learned from the 
planned activities.
    e. Disseminate project-related information and findings through a 
variety of methods.
    f. Implement an operational plan for one or more of the following 
activities:
    1. Internet-based Systems: Identify best practices among state and 
local health agencies and/or programs that collect, manage, and 
disseminate health-related information by way of the Internet; develop 
a plan for the use of the Internet as a means for the exchange of data 
and information among and between state and local health departments 
and their partners.
    2. Strategic Plan for Use of Data Standards Develop and implement a 
strategic plan to facilitate the use of national specifications and 
standards in health information systems by state and local health 
agencies. These specifications and standards should take advantage of 
existing national and international data and information standards, and 
work already done in the public and private sectors.
    3. Model Data Sharing Agreements: Identify and evaluate current 
efforts by state and local health agencies to share information, 
develop and field test model agreements, disseminate the models to 
state and local health departments, and provide training on their use.
    4. Technical Assistance: Develop a plan to address the technical 
needs of state and local health departments such areas as methods of 
linking or matching data, methods of managing and storing data, methods 
of analyzing data, methods of querying or otherwise accessing data, 
methods of displaying information, and methods of ensuring the 
integrity and security of data and the confidentiality of data about 
individual persons. Identify the most common requests for information 
that state and local health agencies receive; assess information and 
service needs; and provide direct technical assistance to requesting 
agencies.
    5. National Health Information Systems Training: In conjunction 
with various partners develop a national plan to address the changing 
training needs of state and local health departments in the area of 
health information systems include public and private sector training 
courses; develop new training, as appropriate, to address emerging 
topics; and identify other opportunities for state and local health 
agency staff.

2. CDC Activities

    a. Coordinate with national, state, and local health information 
and data agencies, as well as other relevant organizations, in 
developing programs which will enable state and local health 
departments to regularly and systematically collect, assemble, analyze, 
and make available information on the health of their populations and 
communities.
    b. Provide programmatic consultation and guidance related to 
program planning, implementation, and evaluation; assessment of program 
objectives; use of indicators; and dissemination of successful 
strategies, experiences, and evaluation reports.
    c. Plan and conduct the annual Assessment meeting to address issues 
and program activities related to this cooperative agreement.
    d. Assist in the evaluation of program activities.

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, and unreduced font. Pages must be 
numbered clearly, and a complete table of contents of the application 
and its appendixes must be included. Begin each separate section on a 
new page.
    Provide a concise, one page Executive Summary that clearly states 
the activities being addressed and describes your organization's 
eligibility, including: (a) its status as a national organization, (b) 
number and membership of affiliate offices, and (c) experience and 
capacity of the organization to work with state and local health 
departments. The summary should also include the major proposed goals, 
objectives, and activities for implementation of the project.
    Divide the body of the application into the following sections:
    1. Background and Need (not more than 2 pages)
    a. The needs associated with the activities under proposed 
activities.
    b. Your organization's background and experience in addressing the 
needs related to health information and data systems.
    c. The need for the specific activities proposed in your plan.
    2. Capacity (not more than 2 pages):
    a. Describe your organization's constituents and affiliates as 
follows:
    Type of constituency.
    Number of constituents and affiliates.
    Location of constituents and affiliates.
    How the constituency can influence and work with health information

[[Page 45779]]

and data systems.
    b. Describe your organization's experience in supporting the 
activities for which you are applying, including such factors as:
    Current and previous experience related to the proposed program 
activities.
    Current and previous coordination with other national organizations 
and partners. Activities related to building alliances, networks, or 
coalitions.
    c. Describe your organization's structure and how it supports 
health information and data systems. Attach a copy of your 
organizational chart.
    3. Operational Plan (not more than 10 pages):
    a. Goals--List goals that specifically relate to program 
requirements that indicate where the program will be at the end of the 
projected 3 year project period.
    b. Objectives--List objectives that are specific, measurable, and 
feasible to be accomplished during the first 12-month budget period. 
The objectives should relate directly to the project goals and 
recipient activities.
    c. Describe in narrative form and display on a timetable, specific 
activities that are related to each first-year objective. Indicate when 
each activity will occur as well as when preparations for activities 
will occur. Indicate who will be responsible for each activity.
    d. List major milestones that will be accomplished during years two 
and three.
    4. Project Management and Staffing Plan (not more than 4 pages):
    a. Describe the proposed staffing for the project and provide job 
descriptions for existing and proposed positions.
    b. Attach curriculum vitae (limited to 2 pages per person--in 
attachments) for each professional staff member named in the proposal.
    c. Submit job descriptions (in attachments) illustrating the level 
of organizational responsibility for professional staff who will be 
assigned to the project.
    d. If a state(s) has been identified where the proposed activities 
will occur, provide the name of this state(s) and the name(s) of the 
contact person who will coordinate the activity.
    5. Sharing experiences (not more than 1 page):
    Describe how project materials and accomplishments will be shared 
with others. Identify appropriate audiences for this information.
    6. Collaboration (not more than 1 pages):
    Describe the purposes of proposed collaboration and the agencies 
and organizations with which collaboration will be conducted. If other 
organizations will participate in proposed activities, provide the 
name(s) of the organization(s), and state who in your organization will 
coordinate the activity. For each organization listed, provide a letter 
from them that acknowledges their specific role and describes their 
capacity to fulfill it. Do not include letters of support from 
organizations that will not have specific roles in the project.
    7. Evaluation (not more than 4 pages):
    Describe a plan to evaluate the project's effectiveness in meeting 
its objectives and goals. Describe the type of evaluation that will be 
used (process, outcome, or both). Specify the evaluation question(s) to 
be answered, data to be obtained, the type of analyses that will be 
performed, to whom it will be reported, and how data will be used to 
improve the program. The plan should indicate major steps in the 
evaluation, who will be responsible.
    8. Budget and Accompanying Justification:
    Provide a detailed budget narrative and line-item justification of 
all operating expenses. The budget should be consistent with the stated 
objectives and planned activities of the project. Budget requests 
should include the cost for two people for a 2 day trip to Atlanta, 
Georgia for a planning meeting and a 4 day trip to Atlanta, Georgia for 
the annual Assessment Conference. Applicants are also requested to 
present an estimate (percentage) of their total request budgeted for 
each identified activity area and its associated activities.

F. Submission and Deadline

    Submit the original and two copies of PHS-5161-1 (OMB Number 0937-
0189). Forms are available at the following Internet address: 
www.cdc.gov/...Forms, or in the application kit.
    On or before August 25, 2000, submit the application to the Grants 
Management Specialist identified in the ``Where to Obtain Additional 
Information'' section of this announcement. Deadline: Applications will 
be considered as meeting the deadline if they are either:
    1. Received on or before the deadline date; or
    2. 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 will 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. Organizational Capability (20 Points)

    The extent to which the applicant documents:
    (a) An organizational mission of assisting state or local agencies 
in collecting, assembling, analyzing and making available health-
related information.
    (b) Recent experience assisting state or local agencies in 
collecting, assembling, analyzing and making available health-related 
information.
    (c) Recent experience administering or coordinating health-related, 
public health, or community-based data or information programs in 
conjunction with other national associations or federal health 
agencies.
    (d) Ability to access and influence state and local health agencies 
through a network of affiliates, constituents, or members, and
    (e) Capacity (or planned capacity) to provide either coordination 
and oversight, or technical assistance and training to state and local 
health agencies in improving information and information systems. This 
capacity should include skilled and experienced staff, physical 
facilities, and information technology resources (e.g.,Internet 
access).

2. Understanding of the Problem (10 Points)

    The extent to which the applicant demonstrates and documents an 
understanding of population-based health information systems, the unmet 
needs of state and local health agencies with respect to these systems, 
and the opportunities and barriers that exist to meet these needs.

3. Program Objectives (15 Points)

    The extent to which the proposed objectives are specific, 
measurable, time-phased, and consistent with the purpose of the program 
announcement.

4. Quality of Plan (25 Points)

    The strength of the applicant's plan for conducting program 
activities and the likelihood that the proposed plan will adequately 
address the purpose of

[[Page 45780]]

the program. The plan should address each of the activities under the 
program area for which the applicant organization is applying and 
provide a timeline for conducting program activities.

5. Organizational Experience (15 Points)

    The extent to which the applicant can demonstrate existing support 
for partnership activities and collaboration with CDC, other 
associations and organizations, and official health agencies.

6. Evaluation Plan (15 Points)

    The extent to which the applicant presents an evaluation plan to 
measure the achievement of program objectives and monitor the 
implementation of proposed activities, or the commitment to implement a 
collaboratively developed evaluation plan.

7. Budget Justification (not scored)

    The budget will be evaluated for the extent to which it is 
reasonable, clearly justified, and consistent with the intended use of 
cooperative agreement funds.

H. Other Requirements

    1. Technical Reporting Requirements Provide CDC with original plus 
two copies of
    a. semiannual progress reports;
    b. financial status report, no more than 90 days after the end of 
the budget period; and
    c. 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.
    2. The following additional requirements are applicable to this 
program. For a complete description of each, see Attachment I in the 
application kit.

AR-7 Executive Order 12372 Review
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(a) of the Public 
Health Service Act, 42 U.S.C. 241(a), as amended. The Catalog of 
Federal Domestic Assistance Number is 93.283.

J. Where to Obtain Additional Information

    This and other CDC announcements can be found on the CDC home page 
Internet address--http://www.cdc.gov Click on ``Funding'' then ``Grants 
and Cooperative Agreements.'' 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 technical assistance may be obtained 
from: Juanita D. Crowder, Grants Management Specialist, Grants 
Management Branch, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention, Room 3720, 2920 Brandywine Road Atlanta, GA 
30341-4146, Telephone Number: (770) 488-2734, Email address: 
[email protected].
    For program technical assistance, contact: R. Gibson Parrish, M.D., 
CDC Project Officer, 2877 Brandywine Road, Mailstop K74, Atlanta, 
Georgia 30341-3724, Telephone number: (770) 488-8357, Email address: 
[email protected].

    Dated: July 19, 2000.
Henry S. Cassell III,
Acting Director, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention (CDC).
[FR Doc. 00-18700 Filed 7-24-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P