[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 100 (Wednesday, May 23, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28516-28518]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-12983]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[Program Announcement 01134]


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 
availability of fiscal year (FY) 2001

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funds for a cooperative agreement program for ``Initiatives to Develop 
and Implement Programs to Enhance Epilepsy Public Awareness and 
Partnership, Education, and Communication.'' This program addresses the 
``Healthy People 2010'' focus areas of Disability and Secondary 
Conditions.
    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 private, non-profit 501(c)(3) 
organization that is a national voluntary health organization dedicated 
to assisting persons with epilepsy. Specifically, CDC was directed to 
expand epilepsy surveillance, public awareness activities, public and 
provider education, prevention research, and activities to combat 
stigma.

    Note: Title 2 of the United States Code, Chapter 26, Section 
1611 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 $1,300,000 is available in FY 2001 to fund one award. 
It is expected that the award 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.

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 CDC will be responsible for the activities 
listed under 2. (CDC Activities).

1. Recipient Activities

    The applicant shall conduct activities in one or more of the 
following three priority areas listed in the application instructions.
a. Partnership Building
    (1) Provide financial and personnel support to epilepsy affiliates/
chapters to facilitate building collaborative public health 
partnerships with state and local health departments.
    (2) Provide financial and personnel support to health related 
organizations (other than epilepsy affiliates/chapters) to facilitate 
building collaborative partnerships.
    (3) Expand 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 strengthen 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) Expand a sustained multifaceted media relations outreach 
program.
    (2) Expand, implement and evaluate strategies to disseminate 
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) Expand the development or adaption, evaluation, and 
dissemination of 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.
    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. 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 30 double-spaced pages, 
printed on one side, with one inch margins, and unreduced font. 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 activity, 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:

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    (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 0920-
0428). Forms are available in the application kit and at the following 
Internet address: http://forms.pcs.gov
    On or before July 7, 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:
    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 shall not be acceptable as proof of timely mailing.)
    Late: Applications which do not meet the criteria in 1. or 2. above 
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 activities, 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. This includes:
    A. The proposed justification when representation is limited or 
absent.
    B. A statement as to whether the design of the study is adequate to 
measure differences when warranted.
    C. 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.

H. Other Requirements

Technical Reporting Requirements

    Provide CDC 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-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

    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.''
    Should you have questions after reviewing the contents of all the 
documents, business management assistance may be obtained from: 
Michelle Copeland, Grants Management Specialist, Grants Management 
Branch, Procurement and Grants Office, Announcement 01134, Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention, 2920 Brandywine Road, Room 3000, 
Atlanta, GA 30341-4146, Telephone: (770) 488-2686, E-mail: 
[email protected].
    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: May 17, 2001.
John L. Williams,
Director, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control 
and Prevention (CDC).
[FR Doc. 01-12983 Filed 5-22-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P