[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 71 (Thursday, April 12, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18941-18943]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-9069]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry

[Program Announcement 01050]


Program to Build Capacity to Conduct Environmental Health 
Education Activities Related to Iodine-131; Notice of Availability of 
Funds.

A. Purpose

    The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) 
announces the availability of fiscal year (FY) 2001 funds for a 
cooperative agreement program to Build Capacity to Conduct 
Environmental Health Education Activities. This program addresses the 
``Healthy People 2010'' areas of Educational and Community-Based 
Programs; Environmental Health; and Maternal, Infant, and Child Health.
    The purpose of the program is to develop, promote, and disseminate 
environmental health education within communities that are located near 
Department of Energy (DoE) sites where Iodine-131 (I-131) is identified 
as a contaminant of concern. The program

[[Page 18942]]

should focus particular emphases on providing environmental health 
education related to I-131 to groups such as healthcare providers, 
public health officials, community members, and other interested 
parties who live in communities near DoE sites where I-131 is a 
contaminant of concern.

B. Eligible Applicants

    Applications may be submitted by public and private nonprofit 
organizations and by governments and their agencies; that is, 
universities, colleges, research institutions, hospitals, other public 
and private nonprofit organizations, state and local governments or 
their bona fide agents, and federally recognized Indian tribal 
governments, Indian tribes, or Indian tribal organizations that provide 
environmental health education to communities. 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 2001 to fund 
approximately 1-2 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 30, 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.

Use of Funds

    Funds may be expended for reasonable program purposes, such as 
personnel, travel, supplies and services, including contractual 
services. ATSDR funding is generally not to be used for the purchase of 
furniture or equipment. Any equipment purchased will be returned to 
ATSDR at the end of the funding period. The direct and primary 
recipient in a cooperative agreement program must perform a substantive 
role in carrying out project activities and not merely serve as a 
conduit for an award to another party or provide funds to an ineligible 
party.

D. Program Requirements

    In conducting activities to achieve the purpose of this program, 
the recipient will be responsible for the activities under 1. 
(Recipient Activities), and ATSDR will be responsible for the 
activities listed under 2. (ATSDR Activities).
    1. Recipient Activities
    a. Develop and implement an environmental health education program 
for Iodine 131 (I-131). Special efforts should be made to closely 
coordinate the educational efforts with federal agencies such as the 
National Cancer Institute (NCI) and others who are working to address 
I-131 issues at DoE sites.
    b. Develop environmental health education materials and programs 
related to I-131 for reference and use by community residents and other 
interested parties.
    c. Distribute environmental health materials, including the ATSDR 
I-131 Case Study in Environmental Medicine, nationwide to health 
officials, healthcare providers, and other interested parties. 
Particular interest should be in communities that are located near DoE 
facilities that have I-131 as a contaminant of concern.
    d. Provide information regarding the health impacts of hazardous 
substances, particularly I-131 to state and local health officials, 
healthcare providers, and other interested parties around DoE sites 
throughout the United States. Activities should include sharing 
information about the unique vulnerabilities and special needs of 
children.
    e. Develop health education programs and materials, in 
collaboration with health officials, healthcare providers, and other 
interested parties for residents in communities who live near DoE 
sites.
    f. Gain access to healthcare providers, physicians, nurses, and 
other practitioners, local, state, and federal public health officials, 
community groups, and educational institutions such as colleges and 
universities for the purposes of conducting I-131 health education. 
Specific efforts should be made to reach members of these groups who 
live or practice near DoE facilities where I-131 is a contaminant of 
concern.
    g. Develop and maintain a database that includes data such as 
contact information to contact participants for training sessions.
    h. Evaluate each of the implemented environmental health education 
activities and the impact of the overall program.
    2. ATSDR Activities
    a. Provide technical assistance in developing environmental health 
education materials and activities.
    b. Provide information, instructional resources, technical 
assistance and collaboration for National Priorities List (NPL) site-
specific activities and materials.
    c. Provide assistance in establishing communication and resource 
networks between recipients and groups such as other federal agencies; 
state and local health departments; tribal governments; non-
governmental environmental and health professional organizations; and 
academic, medical, and clinical associations.
    d. Assist in the development of the evaluation plans, such as 
providing technical assistance in the establishment of measurable 
objectives and evaluation of 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 
(excluding appendices), printed on one side, with one inch margins, and 
unreduced font.

F. Submission and Deadline

Application

    Submit the original and two copies of PHS 5161-1 [OMB Number 0920-
0428]. Forms are available in the application kit. On or before May 30, 
2001, 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 reviewed and evaluated individually 
against the following criteria by an ATSDR-convened objective review 
panel.

[[Page 18943]]

    1. Proposed Program--40 percent
    a. Ability to develop environmental health education materials and 
messages for distribution to target audiences; address specific 
environmental health concerns, plan, conduct, and evaluate 
environmental health education or training activities; and collaborate 
effectively with a variety of public health partners including other 
federal agencies who are working to address I-131 issues at DoE sites.
    b. Documented access or the ability to gain access to healthcare 
providers such as physicians, nurses, and other practitioners, local, 
state, and federal public health officials and practitioners, community 
groups, and educational institutions such as colleges and universities. 
Special emphasis should be placed on groups who live or practice near 
DoE facilities throughout the United States where I-131 is identified 
as a contaminant of concern.
    c. Clearly stated understanding of the environmental public health 
problems to be addressed, including the proximity of DoE sites and any 
special risks to children as a susceptible population.
    d. Clear and reasonable environmental public health goals and 
clearly stated project objectives which are realistic, measurable, and 
related to program requirements.
    e. Ability to identify specific target audiences and their 
environmental health education needs.
    f. Specificity and feasability of proposed time line for 
implementing project activities.
    2. Proposed Personnel--20 percent
    a. Ability of the applicant to provide adequate program staff and 
support staff, including any proposed consultants or contractors.
    b. Experience of proposed staff in developing environmental health 
education materials, implementing environmental health education 
activities, and conducting program evaluation related to health 
education. Special emphasis should be placed on experience with I-131 
information.
    3. Capability--20 percent
    a. Appropriateness of the health education activities for the 
proposed target groups.
    b. Plans for collaborative efforts and appropriate letters of 
support.
    4. Evaluation Plan--20 percent
    a. Extent to which the evaluation plan includes strategies and 
methods to measure program processes and outcomes of program 
activities, such as changes in participants' knowledge, attitudes, and 
behaviors.
    b. Extent to which the evaluation plan includes specific approaches 
and methods to measure overall program effectiveness and impacts, such 
as achievement of stated public health goals and effect of the program 
on stated public health problem.
    5. Budget--(not scored)
    The extent to which the proposed budget is reasonable, clearly 
justified with a budget narrative, and consistent with the intended use 
of funds.

H. Other Requirements

Technical Reporting Requirements

    Provide CDC/ATSDR with an original plus two copies of
    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 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 I in the 
application kit.
AR-7 Executive Order 12372 Review
AR-8 Public Health System Reporting Requirements
AR-9 Paperwork Reduction Act Requirements
AR-10 Smoke-Free Workplace Requirements
AR-11 Healthy People 2010
AR-12 Lobbying Restrictions
AR-18 Cost Recovery--ATSDR
AR-19 Third Party Agreements--ATSDR

I. Authority and Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number

    This program is authorized under section 104 (i) (14) and (15) of 
the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability 
Act of 1980 (CERCLA), as amended by the Superfund Amendments and 
Reauthorization Act of 1986 (SARA) [42 U.S.C. 9604 (i) (14), (15)]. The 
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number is 93.161.

J. Where to Obtain Additional Information

    This and other CDC/ATSDR 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:
    Nelda Godfrey, Grants Management Specialist, Grants Management 
Branch, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention, Room 3000, 2920 Brandywine Road, Atlanta, GA 30341-4146, 
Telephone number: 770-488-2722, Email address: [email protected]
    For program technical assistance, contact: Theresa NeSmith, Health 
Education Specialist, 1600, Clifton Road, Mail Stop-E-42, Atlanta, GA 
30333, Telephone number: 404-639-6230, Email address: [email protected]

    Dated: April 6, 2001.
Donna Garland,
Acting Director, Office of Policy and External Affairs, Agency for 
Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.
[FR Doc. 01-9069 Filed 4-11-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-70-P