[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 65 (Wednesday, April 4, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17899-17900]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-8227]


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

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[Program announcement 01026]


Notice of Availability of Funds; Cooperative Agreement With the 
Association of State and Territorial Health Officers To Improve the 
Nation's Public Health Infrastructure With State Public Health 
Agencies/Systems

A. Purpose

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announces the 
availability of fiscal year (FY) 2001 funds for a cooperative agreement 
program entitled ``Improving the Nation's Public Health 
Infrastructure.'' This program addresses the ``Healthy People 2010'' 
priority focus area of Public Health Infrastructure. For a copy of 
``Healthy People 2010,'' visit the web site at http://www.health.gov/healthypeople.
    The purpose of this cooperative agreement program is to improve the 
Nation's public health infrastructure and improve the performance of 
public health agencies by:
    1. Developing and/or implementing strategies to encourage the 
development and use of standards for public health organizations, the 
public health workforce, and public health information systems;
    2. Developing and/or implementing strategies to inform the public 
health community about effective approaches to improving public health 
organizations, the public health workforce, and public health 
information systems; and
    3. Conducting activities to encourage the public health community 
to implement the most effective approaches to improving public health 
organizations, the public health

[[Page 17900]]

workforce, and public health information systems.

B. Eligible Applicant

    Assistance will be provided only to the Association of State and 
Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO). No other applications are 
solicited. ASTHO is uniquely qualified to be the recipient organization 
for the following reasons:
    1. ASTHO is the only organization representing the leading public 
health official in each of the fifty states, six territories, and the 
District of Columbia. Its mission is to formulate and influence sound 
national public health policy, and to assist state health departments 
in the development and implementation of state programs and policies to 
promote the public's health and prevent disease. It serves as the 
principal forum for public health leadership among the states.
    2. Generally serving as the governors' appointees on public health, 
state health officials effect change and carry out public health policy 
on both state and national levels through direct dialogue with 
governors, other executive branch organizations, state congressional 
delegations, and representatives of federal agencies. State health 
officials bear primary public sector responsibility for the health and 
well-being of their citizens. They are the constitutional source of 
local government authority and can delegate broad powers over health 
matters to county and municipal governments. The key ingredients of 
this role include:
    a. Providing statewide assessment, policy development, and 
assurance. It is the state's responsibility to see that functions and 
services necessary to address the mission of public health are in place 
throughout the state. This can be done by encouraging, providing 
assistance to, and/or requiring local governments or private providers 
to perform certain of these functions. The state may also elect to 
provide certain services directly;
    b. Designating a lead agency for public health in the state (the 
place of ultimate responsibility) to fulfill the functions of 
assessment, policy development, and assurance. In most cases this will 
be the state health department, which has the obligation to ensure that 
important public health policy goals are being met, even when their 
implementation has been assigned to another entity.
    3. ASTHO works closely with the:
    a. National Governors' Association and other executive branch 
organizations (e.g., the Medicaid Directors Association, National 
Association of Insurance Commissioners, etc.);
    b. Other public health organizations including the American Public 
Health Association, Partnership for Prevention, the National 
Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO), the National 
Association of Local Boards of Health (NALBOH), and the Public Health 
Foundation; and
    c. A network of 16 ASTHO affiliated organizations. All ASTHO 
affiliated organizations, representing the views of division and 
program directors in the state health agencies, are members of five 
ASTHO policymaking committees.


    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 $696,234 is available in FY 2001 to fund this award. 
It is expected that the award will begin on or about June 1, 2001, and 
will be made for a 12-month budget period within a project period of up 
to 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.
    During the first year, funds are expected to be available to 
support the projects/activities listed in Part D.1. below as follows:

1. Core Activities $100,000
2. Special Projects 1, 6, and 7 $105,433
3. Special Project 3 (info and communication systems) $162,000
4. Special Project 4 (leadership development) $71,801
5. Special Project 8 (genetics) $100,000
6. Special Project 10 (environmental health) $100,000
7. Special Project 11 (bioterrorism) $50,000
8. Special Project 12 (injury prevention and control) $7,000

Use of Funds

    Funds may be spent for reasonable program purposes, including 
personnel, travel, supplies, and services. Equipment may be purchased, 
with appropriate justification, including cost comparison of purchase 
with lease. Although contracts with other organizations are allowable, 
ASTHO must perform a substantial portion of activities for which funds 
are requested. ASTHO may provide funds to its affiliated organizations 
to accomplish the purposes of the cooperative agreement, if justified. 
Cooperative agreement funds may not supplant existing funds from any 
other public or private source. Funds may not be expended for 
construction, renovation of existing facilities, or relocation of 
headquarters, affiliates, or personnel.

D. Where To Obtain Additional Information

    To obtain additional business management information, contact: 
Juanita D. Crowder, 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: 770-488-2734, E-Mail Address: [email protected].
    To obtain additional programmatic information, contact: Anthony J. 
Santarsiero, Division of Public Health Systems Development and 
Research, Public Health Practice Program Office, Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway, N.E. (MailStop K-37), 
Atlanta, GA 30341-3717, Telephone: 770-488-2444, E-Mail: 
[email protected].

    Dated: March 29, 2001.
John L. Williams,
Director, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control 
and Prevention (CDC).
[FR Doc. 01-8227 Filed 4-3-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P