[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 120 (Thursday, June 21, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33247-33255]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-15595]


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

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[Program Announcement 01163]


HIV Prevention Projects for Community-Based Organizations 
Targeting Young Men of Color Who Have Sex With Men; Notice of 
Availability of Funds for Fiscal Year (FY) 2001

A. Purpose

    For fiscal year 2001, the Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention (CDC) is offering funds for a cooperative agreement program 
for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Projects for Community-Based 
Organizations Targeting Young Men of Color Who Have Sex With Men (YMSM 
of Color). This program addresses the Healthy People 2010 priority 
area(s) of Educational and Community-Based Programs, HIV Infection, and 
Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs).

    Note: CDC strongly suggests that you supplement this program 
announcement as it appears in the Federal Register, with a copy of 
the program announcement that is in an easy-to-use format. This 
easy-to-read version can be found on the CDC home page Internet 
address http://www.cdc.gov. Click on ``Funding'' then ``Grants and 
Cooperative Agreements.''

B. Eligibility Requirements

    1. Have proof of current tax-exempt status under Internal Revenue 
Service (IRS) Code Section 501(c)(3).
    2. Be located and provide services in one of the following eligible 
metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs): Atlanta, GA; Baltimore, MD; 
Chicago, IL; Cleveland--Lorain--Elyria, OH; Columbia, SC; Dallas, TX; 
Detroit, MI; Fort Lauderdale, FL; Houston, TX; Jackson, MS; 
Jacksonville, FL; Kansas City, MO-KS; Los Angeles, CA; Memphis, TN-AR-
MS; Miami, FL; New Orleans, LA; New York, NY; Newark, NJ; Norfolk-
Virginia Beach--Newport News, VA; Oakland, CA; Philadelphia, PA; St. 
Louis, MO; San Antonio, TX; San Diego, CA; San Francisco, CA; San Juan, 
PR; Seattle, WA; Tampa--St. Petersburg--Clearwater, FL; Orlando, FL; 
Washington, D.C.; West Palm Beach, FL.
    3. Be able to show that your organization has provided HIV 
prevention or care services over the last two years to young men of 
color who have sex with men (YMSM of color) (ages 24 years and 
younger). This may include the sexual partners of YMSM and/or 
transgendered youth (ages 24 years and younger).
    4. Be able to show that 75 percent of the persons your program 
served in the past two years are of racial/ethnic minority populations.
    5. Provide at least three letters of support from civic, business 
or faith-based organizations, which are located in the community and 
also serve the proposed target population, that show you have been 
providing HIV prevention services to YMSM of color in the target 
communities.
    6. Provide a statement that within 6 months of being selected for 
funding you will agree to:
    a. have at least one young person, age 24 years or younger, who is 
a member of the target population, actively serving on the board of 
directors, or
    b. have a group of young persons from the targeted population 
actively involved in advising the board of directors on the direction 
of youth prevention programs. Please indicate if your organization 
already meets this requirement.
    7. Not request more than $350,000, including indirect costs, if 
applying under Category A; and no more than $500,000 if applying under 
Category B.
    8. Not be a government or municipal agency (including a health 
department, school board, or public hospital), a private or public 
university or college, or a private hospital.
    9. You can only apply for funding under one of the two categories 
(see next section).

    Note: You are not eligible to receive Federal funds constituting 
an award, grant, cooperative agreement, contract, loan or any other 
form, if under Title 2 of the United States Code, Chapter 26, 
Section 1611, you are considered to be an organization as described 
in section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 that 
engages in lobbying activities.

C. Availability of Funds

    About $7 million is available for awards for fiscal year 2001. It 
is expected that those CBOs who are selected will receive funding in 
September 2001. The funds are to be used during a budget time frame of 
12 months within a project period of up to 5 years.

    Note: Funding estimates may change based on the availability of 
funds.

    Funds will be distributed in two categories:
    Category A: Delivery of HIV Prevention Services and Infrastructure 
Development. Approximately $5 million is available to fund 14 to16 
awards in this category. Applications that ask for more than $350,000, 
including indirect costs, will not be considered and the application 
will be returned to you.
    Category B: Strategic Alliances for the Delivery of HIV Prevention 
Services. Approximately $2 million is available to fund up to 4 awards 
under this category. Applications that ask for more than $500,000, 
including indirect costs, will not be considered and the application 
will be returned to you.
    Your organization's project may be continued for a total of 5 years 
(that is to say, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005) under this agreement. 
Funding at the same level after the first year is based on

[[Page 33248]]

the amount of funds available to CDC and your success and/or progress 
in meeting your goals and objectives.

1. Use of Funds

    Funds provided under this announcement must support--
    a. Activities directly related to preventing YMSM of color, (ages 
24 years and younger) from getting HIV or transmitting the disease to 
someone else. This may include the sexual partners of YMSM and/or 
transgendered youth, ages 24 years and younger.
    b. Intervention activities that involve preventing other STDs or 
substance abuse as a means of reducing or eliminating the risk of HIV 
transmission may also be supported.
    Funds provided under this announcement must not be used to--
    a. Give direct patient medical care, including substance abuse or 
medical treatment, or medications.
    b. Supplant or duplicate existing funding.
    c. Support only administrative and managerial functions.

    Note: If your application requests funds only to support 
administrative or managerial activities your application will not be 
funded.

    Part of the funding under this announcement may be used to;
    a. Hire one or more contractors to support coalition partners to 
help with specific activities; however, you, not the contract 
organization(s) or the coalition partner(s), must carry out most of the 
activities paid for with this funding (including managing the program 
and activities).
    b. Help build the capacity of your organization (for example, 
purchase of computers or software, hiring a business manager).

2. Funding Preferences

    In making awards, preference for funding will be given to;
    a. ensure a balance of funded CBOs in terms of targeted racial/
ethnic minority groups (the number of funded CBOs serving each racial/
ethnic minority group may be adjusted based on the rate of HIV/AIDS in 
that group).
    b. a geographic balance of funded CBOs. The number of funded CBOs 
will be adjusted based on the prevalence of HIV/AIDS cases in the MSA.
    c. a balance of funded CBOs in terms of age groups to be served.
    d. a balance of funded CBOs in areas where gaps have been 
identified by the HIV prevention community planning group in the city 
or state.

D. Program Requirements

    There are many activities you can implement to reach YMSM of color 
(ages 24 and younger) with HIV prevention messages. Your activities 
should focus on your plan to reach this target population, which may 
also include the sexual partners of YMSM and transgendered youth (ages 
24 and younger). Activities are divided into two categories: Category A 
and Category B.

1. Recipient Activities

Category A: Delivery of HIV Prevention Services and Infrastructure 
Development
    The applicant will be responsible for--
    (1) Involving the target population in planning, implementing, and 
evaluating activities and services throughout the project period.
    (2) Providing mentoring (that is to say, guidance) to youth to 
enable them to participate in the planning process and/or other 
organizational functions or direct service activities. Mentors must be 
trained, the relationship must be for at least six months, and all 
activities must be monitored.
    (3) Using or adapting program models supported by scientifically 
valid evidence of lowering risk behavior or increasing help-seeking 
behavior. You may also design and develop your HIV prevention program 
to meet local needs using a rationale based in science.

    Note: Examples of evidence-based models can be found in the 
``Compendium of Effective Behavioral Interventions,'' (Inventory 
#D235) available in CD-Rom format from the CDC National Prevention 
Information Network (NPIN) by calling 1-800-458-5231 or at the 
following website www.cdc.gov/hiv/pubs/hivcompendium.pdf and in the 
report, ``Positive Youth Development in the United States,'' 
commissioned by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 
Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation and available at 
http://aspe.hhs.gov/hsp/positiveyouthdev99/index.htm.

    Your program activities should address barriers to HIV prevention 
and should focus on issues of stigma and discrimination based on 
infection status, race, sexual orientation, or gender identity. The 
activities could address social, health service, and faith 
organizations and family units that can keep persons at risk from 
getting the services they need.
    Your program should also develop leadership and/or other skills 
among YMSM of color to help them to effectively participate in the 
Community Planning process, on the Ryan White Council, or to make 
useful contributions to the success of CBO, health department, or other 
grantee activities. These activities should also help build skills to 
avoid HIV risk behaviors.
    (4) Conducting at least one of the interventions listed below. All 
of your efforts must include cultural competency, sensitivity to issues 
of sexual and gender identity, and developmental and linguistic 
appropriateness.
    (a) HIV counseling, testing, and referral. Provide HIV counseling, 
testing, and referral (CTR) services for YMSM of color (ages 24 years 
and younger). This may include the sexual partners of YMSM and/or 
transgendered youth (ages 24 years and younger). If you provide these 
services, you must meet certain requirements and follow set guidelines. 
See Attachment 3 for more information.
    For example: Improve access to or provide appropriate testing 
sites, that will be more acceptable and accessible to the target 
population; and/or improve use of post-test counseling, referrals, and 
follow-up.
    (b) Health Education and Risk Reduction. Conduct health education 
and risk-reduction interventions (HE/RR). These may include individual, 
group, or community-level interventions.
    (c) Outreach Activities. Conduct outreach activities to improve 
access to the target population. Provide face-to-face HIV prevention 
interactions, handing out condoms, brochures, and other prevention 
materials.
    (5) Assisting high-risk clients with referral to appropriate 
primary HIV prevention services, and continued prevention and care 
services if they are infected.
    (6) Monitoring, assuring quality, and evaluating your proposed 
program by--
    (a) Using approximately three to five percent of the funds awarded 
under this announcement for monitoring intervention activities. CDC 
will provide technical assistance in tracking program activities and 
quality.
    (b) Preparing and submitting to CDC, within the first 6 months of 
funding, a quality assurance plan for your program.
    (c) Participating in a national evaluation program.
    (d) Conducting periodic client satisfaction assessments, for 
example, questionnaires or focus groups.

    Note: During the first year of funding, CDC will work with CBOs 
to develop standardized evaluation formats and activities for 
grantees.

    (7) Putting into place training and capacity building measures to--
    (a) Identify the training needs of your staff.
    (b) Develop and put into place a plan to address these training 
needs.
    (c) Work with CDC and CDC-funded capacity-building assistance 
programs to

[[Page 33249]]

identify and address the capacity-building needs of your program.
    (d) Find and use local resources for organizational and program 
development, for example, the health department, community development 
agencies, other CBOs, local colleges and universities, locally based 
foundations, Service Corps of Retired Executives (a Small Business 
Administration program), and the local business or industrial 
community.
    (8) Putting into place a communication and information 
dissemination plan, including--
    (a) Marketing your prevention program and services to the target 
population and local community.
    (b) Share lessons learned and successful program models.
    (c) Ensuring Internet and e-mail communication for your 
organization and key program staff during the first year of funding.

    Note: You must attend at least one CDC-sponsored meeting of 
funded agencies. If you sponsor any conferences using CDC funds, you 
must follow CDC policies for getting approval.

    (9) Begin to gather information to help develop and implement a 
plan for obtaining additional resources from non-CDC sources to further 
support the program run through this cooperative agreement and to 
improve the chance that it will continue after the end of the project 
period.

    Note: Local organizations and agencies, such as community 
development agencies, colleges, and universities, often have 
information about funding and other types of assistance.

    We encourage you to work with other organizations in the community 
by--
    (a) Establishing ongoing collaborations with health departments, 
community planning groups, academic and research institutions, health 
care providers, or other local resources in designing, implementing, 
and evaluating interventions.
    (b) Participating in the HIV prevention community planning process. 
Participation may include going to meetings; if selected, serving as a 
member of the group; reviewing and commenting on plans; and becoming 
familiar with and using information from the community planning 
process, such as the epidemiologic profile, needs assessment data, and 
intervention strategies. If selected for funding, an overview of 
project activities should be presented to your jurisdiction's community 
planning group.
Category B: Strategic Alliances for the Delivery of HIV Prevention 
Services
    Organizations funded under Category B will also be responsible for 
the activities listed under Category A.
    (1) During the first two years of funding, you will have to--
    (a) Work to establish dynamic partnerships with other organizations 
to ensure that a full range of services are available to the target 
population.
    (b) Establish or continue to support this project with a full-time 
staff position with the responsibility, authority, professional 
training, and experience needed to lead and coordinate the program 
activities of the coalition;
    (c) Establish or continue to support a coalition including 
representatives from the health department, local service providers 
(including CDC-funded CBOs), and affected community members to design, 
develop, and implement a comprehensive plan for a linked network of HIV 
prevention services. You should--
    (d) Identify key community and opinion leaders and ask them to be a 
part of the coalition process;
    (e) Establish and/or continue to clearly keep track of linkages 
with local HIV prevention community planning groups, Ryan White CARE 
Act planning councils, and the State and local health departments;
    (f) Establish and/or continue linkages with those local and 
community-based organizations that provide services to prevent and 
treat HIV/AIDS, STDs, tuberculosis (TB), and substance abuse. The 
applicant should also look at including public hospitals, neighborhood 
and mental health clinics, managed care groups that provide services to 
persons who receive Medicaid, and Women, Infants, and Children's 
programs, among others.

    Note: The term ``coalition,'' for this announcement, means a 
group of organizations working together, where each organization has 
a clearly defined activity assigned to them from the overall program 
plan. All groups share program responsibilities, but the 
organization applying for funds must take the lead and perform most 
of the program activities. The lead organization must meet all 
requirements above.

    Each member of the coalition should sign a formal memoranda of 
agreement (MOA) (see Attachment 5) that addresses a way to track 
referrals and ensure appropriate routine sharing of information about 
your program's activities and progress. You will also need to give 
details on the role and what each coalition member will bring to the 
project. The terms and length of time for the agreement, as confirmed 
by the MOA, signed by the applicant and each coalition member, must be 
stated. The documents must be signed by those who have the authority to 
represent the organization, for example, president, chief executive 
officer, or executive director.
    (g) Develop a community needs assessment for YMSM of color (ages 24 
years and younger), in the target area. This may include the sexual 
partners of YMSM and/or transgendered youth (ages 24 years and 
younger). This should include reviewing epidemiologic and other data, 
reviewing the State and local HIV prevention comprehensive plans and 
other planning documents that can help in the development, and finding 
out what community assets there are and what gaps in service.

    Note: Useful background information can be found in the document 
entitled, PMI: Constructing a Teen HIV Risk Profile (NPIN Inventory 
#D269). Contact NPIN for this document at 1-800-458-5231.

    (h) Develop a detailed plan for creating and maintaining a linked 
network of services for the targeted community, based on the community 
needs assessment. This network may include, but not be limited to, HIV, 
STD, TB, and substance abuse prevention, treatment, and care services; 
mental health services; primary care services; social services; and 
family planning services. Your plan must describe in detail all 
linkages that will exist within the network.
    (2) In years 3 through 5, the applicant should--
    (a) Coordinate and participate in the full implementation of the 
plan;
    (b) Serve as liaison among members of the coalition and provide 
management oversight, facilitate program implementation and operations, 
and maintain effective working relationships;
    (c) Conduct an evaluation of system outcomes using both 
quantitative and qualitative data, for example, an assessment of the 
changes in access to care for the target population as a result of the 
coalition's activities.

2. CDC Activities

    If you are selected for funding, CDC will support you by:
    a. Providing assistance and consultation on program and 
administrative issues.
    b. Meeting and working with you to find out what your training 
needs are and how to meet those needs.
    c. Sharing the most up-to-date information, both scientific and 
programmatic, to help prevent HIV infection.

[[Page 33250]]

    d. Providing assistance and information if you choose to use the 
new rapid test technologies.
    e. Helping you establish partnerships with other groups who receive 
federal funding to support HIV/AIDS activities.
    f. Making sure that successful prevention interventions, program 
models, and lessons learned are shared between grantees through various 
mediums.
    g. Overseeing your success in program and fiscal activities.
    h. Develop standardized evaluation formats and activities for 
grantees.

E. Application Content

1. When Writing the Application

    a. Include page numbers throughout your application. Begin with the 
first page and number each page through to the last page of the last 
attachment.
    b. Have a Table of Contents for the whole package you send in.
    c. Begin each separate section of your application on a new page.
    d. Not staple or bind the original document submission or the two 
(2) copies.
    e. Type all materials in a 12 point type size, single spaced.
    f. Use 8\1/2\  x  11 paper.
    g. Set the margins at a minimum of 1 inch.
    h. Use headers and footers, as needed.
    i. Type on one side of the paper only.

    Note: The sections that follow give you the questions you have 
to answer to correctly prepare your application. There are three 
sections: 1. Proof of Eligibility, 2. Program Narrative, 3. Budget.

2. When Answering the Questions Below, You Must

    a. Label each section, as indicated below, using the section title 
and, when appropriate, the name of the subsection.
    b. Use the abbreviation N/A (not applicable), if a section does not 
apply to your application.
    c. Include all information that is part of the basic plan in the 
main section of the application, for example, activity timetables, 
evaluation plans, staff program responsibilities.

    Note: Your application will be reviewed based on the answers you 
give to these questions. To be sure you get the best review of your 
application, follow the format provided below when writing your 
application. Please answer all questions with complete sentences 
that provide detailed information about your eligibility and 
proposed activities. Do not put basic information in attachments.

3. Proof of Eligibility (Categories A and B)

    In this section, provide the information requested below about your 
organization. This will let us know if you are eligible.
    a. Is your organization located within and serving one of the MSAs 
with the highest prevalence of reported AIDS cases among YMSM, their 
sexual partners, and transgendered youth (ages 24 years and younger). 
The MSAs are Atlanta, GA; Baltimore, MD; Chicago, IL; Cleveland-Lorain-
Elyria, OH; Columbia, SC; Dallas, TX; Detroit, MI; Fort Lauderdale, FL; 
Houston, TX; Jackson, MS; Jacksonville, FL; Kansas City, MO-KS; Los 
Angeles, CA; Memphis, TN-AR-MS; Miami, FL; New Orleans, LA; New York, 
NY; Newark, NJ; Norfolk-Virginia Beach-Newport News, VA; Oakland, CA; 
Philadelphia, PA; St. Louis, MO; San Antonio, TX; San Diego, CA; San 
Francisco, CA; San Juan, PR; Seattle, WA; Tampa-St. Petersburg-
Clearwater, FL; Orlando, FL; Washington, D.C.; West Palm Beach, FL. If 
yes, which one?
    b. Does your organization have proof of current, valid Internal 
Revenue Service (IRS) 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status? If you answer yes, 
you must attach a copy of the letter from the IRS at the end of this 
section. If you answer no, you are not eligible to submit an 
application.
    c. Can you show that your organization has provided HIV prevention 
services for 2 years or more to YMSM of color (This may include the 
sexual partners of YMSM and/or transgendered youth, ages 24 years and 
younger)?
    d. Are you able to show that 75 percent of the persons your program 
served in the past two years are of racial/ethnic minority populations?
    e. Can you provide at least three letters of support from civic, 
business or faith-based organizations, which are located in the 
community and also serve the proposed target population, that show you 
have been providing HIV prevention services to YMSM of color in the 
target communities.
    f. Is your organization applying under Category A or Category B? 
You cannot apply in both categories as the lead agency.
    g. Is your organization a government or municipal agency, a private 
or public university or college, or a private hospital? (If you answer 
yes to this question, you are not eligible to apply.)
    h. Is your organization included in the category described in 
section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 that engages in 
lobbying activities? (If you answer yes to this question, you are not 
eligible to apply.)

    Note: You must answer all of these questions and provide any 
documents requested. If you do not provide all the materials 
requested, your application will not be reviewed and will be 
returned to you.

    i. Include the following documentation in the appendix of your 
application under the label, ``Proof of Eligibility.''
    (1) Copy of the letter from the IRS indicating your 501(c)(3) tax-
exempt status.
    (2) Any information supporting service you have provided to YMSM, 
their sexual partners; and transgendered persons (ages 24 years and 
younger). Include a list of the HIV prevention or care services your 
organization has provided to the proposed target population and the 
time period during which each type of service was provided, for 
example, street outreach, July 1996-present.

4. Program Narrative (Categories A and B)

    This section is divided into two parts. The first part outlines the 
narrative for those applying under Category A. The narrative for 
Category B is outlined in the second half of this section.

Category A

    The narrative should be no more than 35 pages. We have included the 
number of points attached to each section and a suggested number of 
pages. Sections can vary in length as long as the total number of pages 
of the narrative is no more than 35. Total number of points for this 
section is 1,000. The narrative should address the following areas.

a. Justification of Need (Suggested length: 6 pages) (Points for this 
section: 75 points)

    How this section will be scored: You will be scored on what 
information you use and how you use it to show the need of the target 
population for your proposed program. It will help you write your 
answer for this section, if you check with the health department for 
information on the HIV statistics and HIV needs assessment developed 
for the community planning process. Use this information when writing 
your answers. Answer all of the following questions for this section.
    (1) How has your proposed target population been affected by the 
HIV/AIDS epidemic, for example, how many persons are infected with HIV 
or AIDS, how many deaths have there been from AIDS, how do 
socioeconomics affect the population? (20 points)
    (2) What are the behaviors and other characteristics of your target 
population that put them at a high risk of becoming infected with HIV 
or infecting others (for example, unsafe sexual behaviors as indicated 
by rates of STDs, teen

[[Page 33251]]

pregnancy rates, or assessments of risk behaviors; substance use rates; 
environmental, social, cultural, or language characteristics)? (20 
points)
    (3) What are the barriers to accessing HIV prevention counseling 
and testing in your target population? How will you address these 
barriers? (20 points)
    (4) Which organizations in your area are providing similar 
services? Please describe their activities and how your proposed 
activities will further meet the needs of the target population or 
improve services provided. (5 points)
    (5) Is your proposed target population a priority population as 
indicated in the comprehensive HIV prevention plan developed through 
the community planning process? If not, please tell us why your 
proposed activities are needed? (10 points)

b. Program Activities (Suggested length: 15 pages) (Points for this 
section: 400 points)

    How this section will be scored: We will look at whether or not 
your objectives and goals are likely to be achieved; if your activities 
are sound, doable, creative, specific (how detailed you are in what you 
want to do), time-phased (have you set a time frame), and measurable 
(can you show that your activities made a difference).
    Answer all of the following questions for this section.
(1) Proposed Interventions (100 points)
    (a) What program model are you planning to use?
    (b) Which social-behavioral science theory are you basing your 
proposed program model on?
    (c) What risk behavior(s) or help-seeking behavior(s) will your 
program model address?
    (d) What strategies will you use to build skills and capacity for 
the identified target population to help them participate effectively 
on the Community Planning Group, Ryan White Council, or within your 
CBO?
    (e) If you have not chosen a program model, what is your plan to 
find or develop a plan that is supported by scientific evidence to help 
lower risk behavior(s) or increase help-seeking behavior(s) or that is 
based on public health standards and behavioral science theory.
(2) Reaching Your Clients (130 points)
    (a) What are your objectives and activities planned to reach YMSM 
of color during the first year of your proposed project (This may 
include the sexual partners of YMSM and/or transgendered youth, ages 24 
years and younger.)?
    (b) What are your objectives and activities planned in your 
community to reduce stigma and discrimination against this population?
    (c) What will you do to reach your target population at high risk 
of becoming infected with HIV or STDs because of sexual or drug-using 
behaviors?
    (d) What steps will you take to build trust and credibility with 
this population?
    (e) How will you get them to use your services?
    (f) How will you use the available social networks to help you 
provide services?
    (g) How will you identify and select youth to become a part of your 
leadership development program?
    (h) How will you involve them in planning, evaluating, and 
modifying your program activities?
(3) Referral and Linkages (80 points)
    (a) What are your objectives and activities to help ensure that 
YMSM of color who are infected with HIV or at a high risk get treatment 
and other services they need, for example, medical, mental health, drug 
use treatment, and social services such as housing and transportation 
(This may include the sexual partners of YMSM and/or transgendered 
youth, ages 24 years and younger.)?
    (b) If you are working with other organizations, which of your 
proposed activities will be carried out by those organizations, whether 
they are part of an HIV prevention coalition, subcontractors, or non-
paid partners? You must provide in your application a letter of intent 
from all partnering organizations, as applicable.
(4) Confidentiality (50 points)
    (a) What steps will you take to ensure the confidentiality of all 
records, information, and activities related to your clients?
    (b) What steps will you take to ensure the confidentiality of your 
clients during program activities?
(5) Management and Staffing of the Program (20 points)
    (a) How will you manage your program?
    (b) What will be the responsibilities and roles of the staff?
    (c) What skills and experience does your staff have working with 
the target population?
    (d) What are the responsibilities and roles of those organizations 
who you want to work with you (for example, staff responsibilities, 
skills, experience)?
(6) Time line (20 points)
    (a) What are the details of your time line? Include information on 
the most important steps in your project and the approximate dates for 
when a step is begun and expected to be completed.

c. Training, Quality Assurance, and Program Monitoring and Evaluation 
(Suggested length: 8 pages) (Points for this section: 200 points)

    How this section will be scored: We will look at your overall plan 
to determine if your objectives are appropriate to your goals, if they 
are complete, sound in their methods, doable, specific (how detailed 
you are in what you want to do), time-phased (have you set a time 
frame), and measurable (can you show that your activities made a 
difference).
    In this section, discuss how you will address each of the 
requirements for training, quality assurance, and program monitoring 
and evaluation. With each goal and set of objectives, you also need to 
discuss activities, staffing/resources, data collection, and your time 
line.
    Answer all of the following questions for this section.
    (1) What will you do to make sure your staff gets the training they 
need? Give an estimate of the number of staff to be trained, which 
staff will be trained, and who will provide the training? (40 points)
    (2) How will you routinely monitor your staff's activities to find 
out if they are following established guidelines and protocols and what 
training they need? (30 points)
    (3) How will you determine and meet your organization's needs in 
the areas of capacity-building or technical assistance? (30 points)
    (4) How will you find out if you are meeting your objectives during 
the first year of operation? (40 points)
    (5) How will you measure whether your services are meeting the 
needs of the target population and if those you refer for services are 
using the referral? (30 points)
    (6) How will you monitor your activities and those of the 
organizations working with you as subcontractors or as collaborators? 
(30 points)

d. Organizational History and Experience (Suggested length: 8 pages) 
(Points for this section: 250 points)

    How this section will be scored: We will look at the overall 
experience of your organization in working with YMSMs of color and 
their partners. This will include how much experience you have related 
to your proposed project.
    Answer all of the following questions for this section.

[[Page 33252]]

    (1) How does the composition of your board of directors reflect 
your target population? (Please use Attachment 6 to provide additional 
information regarding the composition of your board) (50 points)
    (2) How does the composition of your key staff (management, 
supervisory, and administrative positions) and key service provision 
positions (for example, outreach worker, prevention case manager, 
counselor, group facilitator) reflect your target population? (50 
points)
    (3) What are the specific kinds of health-related services, other 
than HIV prevention services, that you have provided your target 
population and for how long? (20 points)
    (4) What are the HIV prevention services that you have provided 
your target population and for how long? (20 points)
    (5) How have you ensured that any materials or interventions that 
you use in your program are culturally sensitive and appropriate for 
the target population? (30 points)
    (6) What other experience does your organization have in providing 
services to YMSMs of color and their partners, and for how long? (20 
points)
    (7) What is your organization's experience in linking with other 
organizations to provide HIV care or prevention services and ongoing 
care, as needed, for your clients? (20 points)
    (8) What experience does your organization have in record keeping 
of when and how services are provided, evaluating services, and 
marketing services to the target population? (25 points)
    (9) What experience does your organization have in improving the 
way services are delivered by finding and accessing other resources 
(for example, other organizations, materials, proven strategies)? (15 
points)

e. Communication and Information Dissemination (Suggested length: 3 
pages) (Points for this section: 75 points)

    How this section will be scored: We will look at the overall 
experience of your organization sharing information with other 
partners, health departments, national organizations.
    Answer all of the following questions for this section.
    (1) How are you planning to market your prevention program and 
services to the target population and local community? (25 points)
    (2) How are you planning to compile lessons learned from the 
project? (30 points)
    (3) How would you ensure access to Internet and e-mail 
communication for your organization during the first year of funding? 
(20 points)

Category B

    The narrative should be no more than 45 pages. We have included the 
number of points attached to each section and a suggested number of 
pages. Sections can vary in length as long as the total number of pages 
of the narrative is no more than 45. Total points for this section is 
1,000. The narrative should address the following areas.

a. Justification of Need (Suggested length: 6 pages) (Points for this 
section: 75 points)

    How this section will be scored: You will be scored on what 
information you use and how you use it to demonstrate the need of the 
target population for your proposed program. Check with the health 
department for information on the HIV statistics and HIV needs 
assessment developed for the community planning process. Use this 
information when writing your answer for this section.
    Answer all of the following questions for this section.
    (1) How has your proposed target population been affected by the 
HIV/AIDS epidemic, for example, how many persons are infected with HIV 
or AIDS, how many deaths have there been from AIDS, how do 
socioeconomics affect the population? (20 points)
    (2) What are the behaviors and other characteristics of your target 
population that put them at a high risk of becoming infected with HIV 
or infecting others (for example, unsafe sexual behaviors as indicated 
by rates of STDs, teen pregnancy rates, or assessments of risk 
behaviors; substance use rates; environmental, social, cultural, or 
language characteristics)? (20 points)
    (3) What are the barriers to accessing HIV prevention counseling 
and testing in your target population? How will you address these 
barriers? (20 points)
    (4) Which organizations in your area are providing similar 
services? Please describe their activities and how your proposed 
activities will further meet the needs of the target population or 
improve services provided. (5 points)
    (5) Is your proposed target population a priority population as 
indicated in the comprehensive HIV prevention plan developed through 
the community planning process? If not, please tell us why your 
proposed activities are needed? (10 points)

b. Program Activities (Suggested length: 20 pages) (Points for this 
section: 400 points)

    How this section will be scored: We will look at whether or not 
your goals are likely to be achieved; if your activities are sound, 
doable, creative, specific (how detailed you are in what you want to 
do), time-phased (have you set a time frame), and measurable (can you 
show that your activities made a difference).
    Answer all of the following questions for this section.
(1) Proposed Interventions (100 points)
    (a) What program model are you planning to use?
    (b) Which social-behavioral science theory are you basing your 
proposed program model on?
    (c) What risk behavior(s) or help-seeking behavior(s) will your 
program model address?
    (d) What strategies will you use to build skills and capacity for 
identified target population to help them participate effectively in 
the Community Planning process, on the Ryan White Council, or within 
your CBO?
    (e) If you have not chosen a program model, what is your plan to 
find or develop a plan that is supported by scientific evidence to help 
lower risk behavior(s) or increase help-seeking behavior(s) or that is 
based on public health standards and behavioral science theory.
(2) Reaching Your Clients (130 points)
    (a) What are your objectives and activities planned to reach YMSM 
of color during the first year of your proposed project (This may 
include the sexual partners of YMSM and/or transgendered youth ages 24 
years and younger.)?
    (b) What are your objectives and activities planned in your 
community to reduce stigma and discrimination against this population?
    (c) What will you do to reach your target population at high risk 
of becoming infected with HIV or STDs because of sexual or drug-using 
behaviors?
    (d) What steps will you take to build trust and credibility with 
this population?
    (e) How will you get them to use your services?
    (f) How will you use the available social networks to help you 
provide services?
    (g) How will you identify and select youth to become a part of your 
leadership development program?

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    (h) How will you involve them in planning, evaluating, and 
modifying your program activities?
(3) Referral and Strategic Partnerships (80 points)
    (a) How will you help persons who are HIV infected or at a high 
risk of HIV get the treatment and other services they need (for 
example, medical, mental health, drug use treatment, and social 
services such as housing and transportation)?
    (b) Who will be part of your coalition? Members may include the 
following, as appropriate: Community groups and organizations, 
including churches and religious groups; HIV/AIDS service 
organizations; Ryan White CARE Title I and Title II planning bodies; 
schools, boards of education, and other State or local education 
agencies; State and local substance abuse agencies, community-based and 
other drug-treatment or detoxification programs; Federally funded 
community projects, such as those funded by the Substance Abuse and 
Mental Health Services Administrations' Center for Substance Abuse 
Treatment and Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, the U.S. 
Department of Health and Human Services' Health Resource Services 
Administration, Office of Minority Health, and other Federal agencies; 
Providers of services to youth in high-risk situations (for example, 
youth in shelters); State or local departments of mental health; 
Juvenile and adult criminal justice, correctional, or parole systems 
and programs; Family planning and women's health agencies; STD and TB 
clinics and programs; and Medicaid managed care providers.
    (c) What would be the responsibilities and roles of each partner 
organization?
    (d) Which of your proposed activities will be carried out by those 
organizations working with you, whether they are part of an HIV 
prevention coalition, subcontractor, or non-paid partner? You must 
provide in your application a letter of intent from all partnering 
organizations, as applicable.
(4) Confidentiality (50 points)
    (a) What steps will you take to ensure the confidentiality of all 
records, activities, and information related to your clients?
    (b) What steps will you take to ensure the confidentiality of your 
clients during program activities?
(5) Management and Staffing of the Program (20 points)
    (a) How will you manage your program?
    (b) What will be the responsibilities and roles of the staff?
    (c) What skills and experience does your staff have working with 
the target population?
    (d) What are the roles and responsibilities of those organizations 
you want to work with you (for example, skills, staff responsibilities, 
experience)?
(6) Time line (20 points)
    What are the details of your time line? Include information on the 
most important steps in your project and the approximate dates for when 
a step is begun and expected to be completed.

c. Training, Quality Assurance, and Program Monitoring and Evaluation 
(Suggested length: 8 pages) (Points for this section: 200 points)

    How this section will be scored: We will look at your overall plan 
to determine if your objectives are appropriate to your goals, if they 
are complete, sound in their methods, doable, specific (how detailed 
you are in what you want to do), time phased (have you set a time 
frame), and measurable (can you show that your activities made a 
difference).
    In this section, discuss how you will address each of the 
requirements for training, quality assurance, and program monitoring 
and evaluation. With each goal and set of objectives, you also need to 
discuss activities, staffing/resources, data collection, and your time 
line.
    Answer all of the following questions for this section.
    (1) What will you do to make sure your staff gets the training they 
need? Give an estimate of the number of staff to be trained, which 
staff will be trained, and who will provide the training? (40 points)
    (2) How will you routinely monitor your staff's activities to 
determine if they are following established guidelines and protocols 
and what ongoing training they need? (30 points)
    (3) How will you determine and meet your organization's needs in 
the areas of capacity-building or technical assistance? (30 points)
    (4) How will you find out if you are meeting your objectives during 
the first year of operation? (30 points)
    (5) How will you measure whether your services are meeting the 
needs of the target population and if those you refer for services are 
using the referral? (30 points)
    (6) How will you monitor your activities and those of the 
organizations working with you as subcontractors or as collaborators? 
(20 points)
    (7) How would you monitor the progress of your coalition? (20 
points)

d. Organizational History and Experience (Suggested length: 6 pages) 
(Points for this section: 250 points)

    How this section will be scored: We will look at the overall 
experience of your organization in working with YMSMs, there sexual 
partners, and transgendered youth and networking with other agencies. 
This will include how much experience you have related to your proposed 
project.
    Answer all of the following questions for this section.
    (1) How does the composition of your board of directors reflect 
your target population? (40 points)
    (2) How does the composition of your key staff (for example, 
management, supervisory, and administrative positions) and key service 
provision positions (for example, outreach worker, prevention case 
manager, counselor, group facilitator) reflect your target population? 
(40 points)
    (3) What are the specific kinds of health-related services, other 
than HIV prevention services, that you have provided your target 
population and for how long? (20 points)
    (4) What are the HIV prevention services that you have provided 
your target population and for how long? (20 points)
    (5) What other experience does your organization have in providing 
services to YMSMs and their partners, and for how long? (30 points)
    (6) What is your organization's experience in linking with other 
organizations to provide HIV care or prevention services and ongoing 
care, if needed, for your clients? (20 points)
    (7) What is your agencies experience in developing or being a part 
of at least one coalition or collaborative activity, not limited to 
HIV? Please include a summary of the collaboration, its purpose, 
accomplishments and activities. Attach memoranda of agreement from 
current coalition members and/or collaborators that describe existing 
relationships and specify the length of their involvement and 
contributions (see Attachment 5). (25 points)
    If there are no memoranda of agreement, list and describe the 
organizations and entities that have participated in the coalition and/
or collaborative activities. Include a description of existing 
relationships, length of involvement, and contributions.
    (8) How have you ensured that any materials or interventions that 
you use in your program are culturally sensitive and appropriate for 
the target population? (25 points)

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    (9) What is your experience in collaborating with government and 
non-government organizations, including national agencies or 
organizations, State and local health departments, community planning 
groups, and State and local non-government organizations that provide 
HIV, TB, STD or substance abuse prevention, treatment, and care 
services? (10 points)
    (10) What experience does your organization have in record keeping 
of when and how services are provided, evaluating services, and 
marketing services to the target population? (10 points)
    (11) What experience does your organization have in improving the 
way services are delivered by finding and accessing other resources 
(for example, other organizations, materials, proven strategies)? (10 
points)

e. Communication and Information Dissemination (Suggested length: 3 
pages) (Points for this section: 75 points)

    How this section will be scored: We will look at the overall 
experience of your organization sharing information with other 
partners, health departments, national organizations.
    Answer all of the following questions for this section.
    (1) How are you planning to market your prevention program and 
services to the target population and local community? (25 points)
    (2) How are you planning to compile lessons learned from the 
project? (30 points)
    (3) How would you ensure access to Internet and e-mail 
communication for your organization during the first year of funding? 
(20 points)

5. Budget

Categories A and B
    In this section, you will need to provide a detailed description of 
your budget needs and the type and number of staff you will need to 
successfully put into place your proposed activities. Use Form 5161, 
424A for the correct format when writing your budget. These forms are 
provided in the application package, but are also available in a PDF 
format at the following Website: http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/forminfo.htm.
    You must provide details of your budget for each activity you want 
to do. You must show how the operating costs will support the 
activities and objectives you propose.
    Your organization should have the capability to access the Internet 
and to download documents about HIV from CDC and other sites, as well 
as have electronic mail (e-mail) available. If you do not have this 
capability, you must provide a budget for purchasing this equipment in 
the first year of funding.
    The following information and questions will help you in writing 
this part of the application.
    (1) What are your budget and staffing needs? This answer should 
provide the specifics of how you plan to spend funds.

    Note: CDC may not approve or fund all proposed activities. Give 
as much detail as possible to support each budget item. List each 
cost separately when possible.

    (2) If you are contracting with other organizations or are applying 
as a coalition, you must include in the budget the type and name (if 
known) of the organization(s); how you chose the organization(s); what 
activities they will do and why they are the best ones to do these 
activities; a detailed list of the funds you think you will need to pay 
the organization(s); why and how long you will use their services; and 
how you will keep track of what they are doing for you.
    (3) Provide a description for each job, including job title, 
function, general duties, and activities; the rate of pay and whether 
it is hourly or salary; and the level of effort and how much time will 
be spent on the activities (give this in a percentage, for example, 50% 
of time spent on evaluation). Also, if you already know names and 
titles of persons you will be working with, include this information 
and a resume, if available. If you don't have names yet, tell us how 
you plan to recruit these persons. For positions that are voluntary, 
give a description of the work the volunteers will be doing. Also 
include the experience and training that is available in relation to 
the proposed project.
    (4) If you ask for indirect costs, you must include a copy of your 
organization's current agreement concerning your negotiated Federal 
indirect cost rate.

F. Submission and Deadline

    You must send to us the original and two (2) copies of PHS 5161 
(including SF424--OMB Number 0348-0043). Forms are available at the 
following website: http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/forminfo.htm.
    You must also send an original and two (2) copies of your 
application, including attachments.
    Send your application to: David A. Wilson, Grants Management 
Branch, Procurement and Grants Office, Program Announcement 01163, 
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, 2920 Brandywine Road, Room 
3000, Atlanta, Georgia 30341-4146.
    Application Deadline: On or Before July 27, 2001.
    Your application will be accepted, if it has a postmark of July 31, 
2001 from the U.S. Postal Service or a commercial carrier (no private 
meters will be accepted) and arrives in time to be given to the 
independent review group.
    Late Applications: Applications that are not received on time, that 
do not have a readable postmark, have a postmark from a private meter 
machine, or arrive too late to be included in the independent review, 
will be considered late, will not be accepted for review, and will be 
returned to the applicant.

G. Evaluation Criteria

    Your application will not be compared to other applications. It 
will only be reviewed based on the information contained in the 
narrative section. This will be done by an independent review group 
that is chosen by CDC. Before final award decisions are made, CDC may 
make general site visits to those CBOs who rank high on the initial 
scoring to look at your program, business management, or fiscal 
capabilities. CDC may also check with the health department and your 
organization's board of directors to find out more about your 
organizational structure and the availability of needed services and 
support.

H. Other Requirements

    The following are additional requirements for this program.

AR-4  HIV/AIDS Confidentiality Provisions
AR-5  HIV Program Review Panel Requirements
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-14  Accounting System Requirements
AR-20  Conference Support
AR-21  Small, Minority, Women-Owned Businesses

Technical Reporting Requirements

    If you are selected for funding, you must let CDC know how you are 
doing by sending to us an original plus two (2) copies of--
    1. Quarterly progress reports, no later than 30 days after the end 
of each 3-month period;
    2. A financial status report, no later than 90 days after the end 
of each budget period;

[[Page 33255]]

    3. Final financial report and performance report, no later than 90 
days after the end of the project period; and

    Note: Send all reports to the Grants Management Specialist 
identified in section ``I. Where Can I Get More Information.''

    If funded, CDC staff will visit your organization to learn about 
your activities. When asking for the continuation awards, you must 
again show CDC that you still meet the requirements stated under ``B. 
Who Can Apply?''.

    Note: Successful applicants may be contacted by the National 
Prevention Information Network (NPIN) to obtain information on their 
program resources. Your resources may be used in referrals and 
resource directories. If selected for funding, three copies of all 
educational materials and resources developed under this grant 
should be sent to NPIN for inclusion in their databases.
    If you develop HIV prevention materials using CDC funds, you 
must first check with NPIN to find out if the same kind of materials 
have already been developed.

    NPIN also makes available information and technical assistance 
services for use in program planning and evaluation. They can be 
contacted at the numbers and Internet site given above.
    NPIN makes available materials on HIV, STD, and TB to the general 
public through its Internet site (www.cdcnpin.org), its 1-800 number 
(1-800-458-5231; TTY users: 1-800-243-7012), and fax number (1-888-282-
7681).

Human Subjects Guidelines

    If you are conducting a research project that involves human 
subjects, you must ensure that your application includes or addresses 
the following:
    1. Requirements of Title 45 CFR Part 46 for the protection of human 
subjects? (Not scored; however, an application can be disapproved if 
the research risks are sufficiently serious and protection against 
risks is so inadequate as to make the entire application unacceptable.)
    2. Requirements of CDC Policy 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.

    Note: Projects that involve the collection of information from 
10 or more individuals and funded by cooperative agreement will be 
subject to review and approval by the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) under the Paperwork Reduction Act.

I. Authority and Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number

    This program is authorized under section 301(a) and 317 of the 
Public Health Service Act, [42 U.S.C. section 241(a) and 247(b)], as 
amended. The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number is 93.939.

J. Where To Obtain Additional Information

    CDC strongly suggests that you supplement this program announcement 
as it appears in the Federal Register, with a copy of the program 
announcement that is in an easy-to-use format. This easy-to-read 
version can be found on the CDC home page Internet address http://www.cdc.gov. Click on ``Funding'' then ``Grants and Cooperative 
Agreements.''
    To request a hard copy of the application, 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 Program Announcement number you 
want.
    If you have questions after reviewing the contents of all the 
documents, business management technical assistance may be obtained 
from: David A. Wilson, 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: 770-488-2700, E-mail address: [email protected].
    For program technical assistance, contact: Bill Comeaux, Project 
Officer, Prevention Program Branch, Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, NE, MS-
E58, Atlanta, GA 30333, Telephone number: 404-639-0968, E-mail address: 
[email protected].

    Dated: June 15, 2001.
John L. Williams,
Director, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control 
and Prevention (CDC).
[FR Doc. 01-15595 Filed 6-20-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P