[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 45 (Thursday, March 7, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10413-10417]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-5363]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES


Cooperative Agreement with Central State University for the 
Family and Community Violence Prevention Program

AGENCY: Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the 
Secretary, Office of Public Health and Science, Office of Minority 
Health.

ACTION: Notice.

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    Authority: This program is authorized under section 1707(e)(1) of 
the Public Health Service Act (PHS), as amended.
SUMMARY: The purpose of the Family and Community Violence Prevention 
Program (FCVP) is to address the disproportionate incidence of violence 
and abusive behavior in low income, at-risk, minority communities by 
targeting these communities through the mobilization of community 
partners. The intent of this program is to demonstrate the merit of 
programs that involve institutions of higher education in partnership 
with primary and secondary schools, community organizations and 
community citizens to improve the community's quality of life. In order 
to have the anticipated impact, interventions conducted through 
partnerships must be directed to the individual, the family and the 
community as a whole, and must be designed to impact the academic and 
personal development of those who are at risk.

ADDRESSES: Send the original and two copies of the complete grant 
application to: Ms. Karen Campbell, Grants Management Officer, Division 
of Management Operations, Office of

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Minority Health, Rockwall II Building, Suite 1000, 5515 Security Lane, 
Rockville, MD 20852.

DATES: The grant application must be received by the Office of Minority 
Health (OMH) Grants Management Officer by 5:00 p.m. EST on May 6, 2002.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Karen Campbell may be contacted 
for technical assistance on budget and business aspects of the 
application. She can be reached at the address above or by calling 
(301) 443-8441. For further explanations and answers to questions on 
programmatic aspects, contact: Ms. Cynthia H. Amis, Director, Division 
of Program Operations, Office of Minority Health, Rockwall II Building, 
Suite 1000, 5515 Security Lane, Rockville, MD 20852; or call: Cynthia 
Amis at (301) 594-0769.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    OMB Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance: The Catalog of Federal 
Domestic Assistance Number for this program is 93.910.
    Availability of Funds: Approximately $7,150,000 (indirect and 
direct costs) is expected to be available to fund one award to Central 
State University (CSU) of Wilberforce, Ohio in FY 2002 for a 12-month 
budget period. Assistance will be provided only to CSU. No other 
applications are solicited. Support may be requested for a total 
project period not to exceed 4 years.
    CSU is uniquely qualified to administer this cooperative agreement 
because it has:
     An established infrastructure to manage a multi-faceted 
demonstration program, coordinated among widely dispersed and diverse 
institutions of higher education, which addresses family and community 
violence.
     In place a management staff with the background and 
experience to guide, develop and evaluate the FCVP Program; and
     Experience in carrying out a program designed to address 
the risk factors for youth violence in at-risk, minority communities.
    As the single source recipient, CSU:
     Shall commence the FCVP program on August 1, 2002.
     Shall, in FY 2002, award $4,950,000 in continuation funds 
to the 23 undergraduate institutions currently funded under the FCVP 
program to support established Family Life Centers (FLCs).
     Shall, in FY 2002, award $900,000 in new awards to three 
additional undergraduate institutions to support the establishment of 
model FLCs.
     Will be able to apply for noncompeting continuation awards 
for an additional three years. After Year 1, funding will be based on:
    1. The amount of money available, up to $7.4 million per year; and
    2. Success or progress in meeting project objectives.
    For the noncompeting continuation awards, CSU must submit 
continuation applications, written reports, and continue to meet the 
established program guidelines.
    Use of Cooperative Agreement Funds: Budgets of up to $7.15 million 
total costs in Year 1 and up to $7.4 million for each of the three 
subsequent years (direct and indirect) may be requested to cover costs 
of:
     Personnel
     Consultants
     Supplies
     Equipment
     Grant Related Travel
    Funds may not be used for:
     Medical Treatment
     Construction
     Building alterations or renovations


    Note: All budget requests must be fully justified in terms of 
the proposed purpose, objectives and activities and include an 
explanation of how costs were computed for each line item.

Background

    Despite an overall decline in crime since 1994, injuries and deaths 
due to violence and abusive behavior continue to be a widespread 
problem in the United States, costing the Nation over $200 billion 
annually. According to the Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice 
Statistics (BJS), minorities are disproportionately represented among 
both victims and perpetrators of violent crime. While violent crime 
rates have declined significantly for almost every demographic group 
examined, those most vulnerable to violent victimization in the past--
males, teens and Blacks for example--continued to be the most 
vulnerable in 2000. The rates of violent crime victimization for 
Blacks, 35.3 per 1000, and Hispanics, 28.4 per 1000, are higher than 
the rate for whites, 27.1. The BJS report American Indians and Crime 
(1999) includes data from the National Victimization Survey which show 
that in 1996, American Indians accounted for 1.4 percent of all violent 
victimizations while representing only .9 percent of the U.S. 
population.
    According to the Healthy People 2000 Final Review (National Center 
for Health Statistics, HHS 2001), the United States has the highest 
rates of lethal childhood violence when compared to other 
industrialized countries. In 1998, 5,506 young people aged 15 to 24 
years were victims of homicide, an average of 15 homicides per day. 
Among youth aged 10 to 14 years, homicide is the third leading cause of 
death and among 15 to 19 year olds, it is the second leading cause 
(Healthy People 2010 Objectives for Improving Health, 2nd ed., HHS 
2000). About one in every eight people murdered in 2000 was less than 
18 years old.
    According to Youth Violence: A Report of the Surgeon General (HHS 
2001), youth violence begins either before puberty, before age 13, or 
later in adolescence. Those youth who become involved in violence 
before age 13 usually commit more crimes, exhibiting a pattern of 
escalating violence through childhood and sometimes through adulthood. 
The report further states that surveys have found that 30 to 40 percent 
of male youths and 15 to 30 percent of female youths have committed a 
serious violent offense by age 17.
    Minority youth are victims and perpetrators of violent crime at a 
disproportionate rate. Homicide is the leading cause of death for 
African Americans 15 to 24 years of age. Young Black males and females 
are 11 and 4 times, respectively, more likely to be killed than white 
youth. Data published by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency 
Prevention (OJJDP) show that 52 percent of juvenile murder victims in 
1997 were minorities. Also in 1997, minorities accounted for 24 percent 
of the total juvenile population; however, minority males and females 
represented 63 and 50 percent, respectively, of the juveniles in 
residential placement. Further, minority juveniles represented 
approximately 69 percent of all juveniles in residential placement for 
violent offenses. Black juveniles had the highest rate of placement for 
violent offenses at 259 per 1,000. Additionally, the rates for violent 
offenses among Hispanics (138 per 1,000), American Indians (143 per 
1,000) and Asians (59 per 1,000) all exceeded the rate for white 
juveniles (45 per 1,000) (Sickmund & Wan, 2001; analysis of OJJDP's 
Census of Juveniles in Residential Placement 1997 and 1999).
    Risk factors for violence and aggression are additive and follow a 
developmental sequence. Risk factors are also interdependent and are 
affected by a range of life experiences and influences involving 
family, peers, community, and culture, as well as an individual's 
personal physical and mental health status (Youth and Violence, 
Medicine, Nursing and Public Health: Connecting the Dots to Prevent 
Violence, Commission for the Prevention of Youth Violence, 2000). As 
stated in the Surgeon General's Report, ``risk factors and protective 
factors exist

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in every area of life-individual, family, school, peer group, and 
community.'' The Report further states that risk and protective factors 
have varying influences depending on when they occur during a child's 
development. For example, substance abuse, involvement in serious (not 
necessarily violent) crime, being male, physical aggression, low family 
socioeconomic status or poverty, and antisocial parents are cited as 
the strongest risk factors for violent behavior during childhood. 
During adolescence, however, peer influences supplant those of the 
family and weak ties to conventional peers, ties to antisocial or 
delinquent peers, gang membership and involvement in other criminal 
acts become the strongest risk factors. Violence prevention programs 
that have been demonstrated to be highly effective combine components 
that address both individual risks and environmental conditions. 
Eliminating or reducing risk factors holds promise for reducing 
violence.
    Since 1985, HHS has recognized violence as a leading public health 
problem in the United States and has supported initiatives to prevent 
violence. The Family and Community Violence Prevention Program (FCVP) 
is such an initiative supported through the Office of Minority Health 
(OMH).
    Through this announcement OMH will continue its partnership with 
CSU and the FCVP initiative begun in 1994 as A Series of HBCU Models to 
Prevent Minority Male Violence. Sixteen Historically Black Colleges and 
Universities (HBCUs), collectively known as the Minority Male (Min-
Male) Consortium were supported to conduct violence prevention programs 
targeted to minority males. Three more HBCUs joined the Consortium in 
1995. In 1997, the program was renamed the Family Community and 
Violence Prevention Program (FCVP) and its focus expanded to include 
females and families. Seven institutions, including Hispanic Serving 
Institutions and Tribal Colleges/Universities, were added to the 
Program in 1999 in an effort to address the problem of youth violence 
among all of the racial/ethnic minority populations served by OMH. 
Currently, 23 minority institutions in 17 states, the District of 
Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands are supported through the FCVP.
    In FY 2002 the FCVP will continue to support community-based 
interventions designed to address the risk factors for violence and 
enhance the protective factors for participating minority youth and 
their families. The award will be made to CSU via a cooperative 
agreement which provides for substantial federal programmatic 
involvement in the project (see OMH Responsibilities listed in this 
announcement).

Project Requirements

    CSU will develop a project plan which must include:
     A management team comprised of personnel with appropriate 
background and experience to develop, guide and execute the FCVP; and
     An operational plan for coordinating the FCVP and its 
component parts (Advisory Board, Family Life Centers and Management 
Team) to achieve the purpose of the Program.

CSU Responsibilities and Activities

    At minimum, CSU must:
     Develop and implement a plan for maintaining regular 
communication with OMH and the Family Life Centers (FLCs).
     Develop and implement guidelines for FLC operations, 
notice of availability of funds for FLC establishment, and guidelines 
for competitive application preparation.
     Development and implement a plan for conducting a yearly 
evaluation of the activities of each of the funded institutions, as 
well as the overall project.
     Develop by-laws for the operation of the Advisory Board 
and submit to OMH for review and approval.
     In FY 2002, award $4,950,000 in continuation funds to the 
23 undergraduate institutions currently funded under the FCVP Program 
to support established FLCs.
     In FY 2002, award $900,000 in new awards to three 
additional undergraduate institutions to support the establishment of 
model FLCs.
     In FY 2003, solicit proposals from four-year undergraduate 
institutions historically identified as providing education primarily 
to minority students, or having a majority enrollment of minority 
students, and from two-year Tribal Colleges which are members of the 
American Indian Higher Education Consortium, to establish FLCs in low 
income, at-risk minority communities, and to implement programs that 
employ a variety of approaches that address violent and abusive 
behavior that meet their unique needs.
     In FY 2003, provide funding to up to 24 selected 
undergraduate institutions at a level of up to $250,000 each (total 
awards of $5,300,000) to conduct comprehensive programs of support and 
education for a defined community. The selected undergraduate 
institutions must:

--Establish a FLC within a 10 mile radius of the target community to 
facilitate access to the program's services/activities on a regular 
basis (FLCs established on American Indian reservations are excepted). 
The FLC can be located at the undergraduate school site, or at a 
facility of a community institution/organization with which it has an 
established partnership. The FLC is to be open year round (at least 45 
weeks), with activities/services offered at various times (e.g. 
weekdays, evenings, weekends) to accommodate the target group(s).
--Offer project activities in the areas of Academic Enrichment, 
Personal Development, Family Bonding, Cultural/Recreational Enrichment, 
and Career Development for at least 25 at-risk youth and their 
families.
--Offer opportunities for the target population to participate in 
activities on campus or at other appropriate sites. At a minimum 
activities must:

     Address primary and/or secondary prevention (see 
Definitions section of this announcement);
     Involve parents, guardians and/or adult caretakers of 
participating youth;
     Include faculty and/or staff from the institution in 
program delivery;
     Include students from the institution serving as mentors 
and in other areas of program delivery; and
     Include a summer academic enrichment program of at least 3 
weeks.

--Develop at least 3 formal arrangements/partnerships, one of which 
must be with a primary or secondary school. Other partners would 
include community organizations and citizens that provide in-kind 
contributions and/or assist in the implementation of program 
activities.
--Evaluate activities conducted using forms required by the Management 
Team and, if desired, other forms/instruments that are compatible with 
the overall FCVP evaluation plan. The evaluation design must include 
use of a random assignment or matched comparison group.
--Submit semi-annual reports describing program activities conducted 
and progress toward meeting objectives. Reports must meet formatting 
and content requirements prescribed by the Management Team.

     In FY 2003 and FY 2004 make continuation awards at a level 
of up to $300,000 each (total awards of $900,000) to the three 
institutions selected in FY 2002. These continuation awards will be 
based on satisfactory progress in meeting program requirements.

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     In FY 2004 and FY 2005 make continuation awards at a level 
of up to $250,000 each (total awards of $5,200,000) to the institutions 
(up to 24) selected in FY 2003.
     Monitor the activities of the funded undergraduate 
institutions to ensure compliance with the intent of the FCVP Program.
     Each year conduct three technical assistance workshops for 
participating FLCs in conjunction with three meetings of the Advisory 
Board.


    Note: The technical assistance workshop and the Advisory Board 
meeting are to be held concurrently or on consecutive dates at the 
same site.


     Provide technical assistance to individual FLCs, as 
needed, throughout each year of the project.
     Plan and conduct a national conference of the FCVP program 
to take place during Year 03 of the project period.
     Submit recommendations or requests for changes in program 
strategies, scope, evaluation activities and adjustments in funding 
levels of participating institutions to OMH for review and approval.
     Develop a manual or tool kit which documents procedures 
and methods for implementing successful violence prevention programs 
for specific types of communities (i.e. rural, urban, Indian 
reservation).

OMH Responsibilities and Activities

    At a minimum, substantial federal programmatic involvement will 
include the following.
     Provide technical assistance and oversight for the overall 
design and operation of the FCVP program.
     Review and approve all documents prepared by the 
Management Team for the solicitation of proposals, including FLC 
operational and application guidelines.
     Develop the evaluation criteria for the selection and 
funding of FLC applications.
     Manage the objective review and selection of FLC 
applications.
     Appoint an 11-member Advisory Board based on nominations 
from the Management Team, FLC staff and federal agencies.
     Identify OMH staff to serve on the Advisory Board in an 
ex-officio capacity.
     Review and approve Management Team recommendations or 
requests for changes in program strategies, scope, evaluation 
activities and adjustments in funding levels of participating 
institutions.
     Participate in the planning of and attend all of the 
Advisory Board meetings, Technical Assistance Workshops for FLC staff 
and the national conference.
     Participate in site visits to the participating 
institutions as deemed appropriate by OMH staff.

Application Kit

     For this cooperative agreement, CSU must submit a proposal 
using Form PHS 5161-1 (Revised July 2000 and approved by OMB under 
Control Number 0348-0043).
     CSU is advised to pay close attention to the specific 
program guidelines and general instructions provided in the application 
kit.
     The application kit will be sent to CSU by the Grants 
Management Officer, OMH.

Review of Application

    The application submitted by CSU will be reviewed by OMH to ensure 
that all program requirements are met and that the proposed plan is in 
compliance with the intent of the FCVP Program. Once the proposal has 
been approved by OMH, CSU will be notified and the award will be made.

Reporting and Other Requirements

    General Reporting Requirements: The successful applicant under this 
notice will submit: (1) Progress reports; (2) an annual Financial 
Status Report; and (3) a final progress report and Financial Status 
Report in the format established by the OMH, in accordance with 
provisions of the general regulations which apply under 45 CFR part 
74.51-74.52.
    Healthy People 2010: The PHS is committed to achieving the health 
promotion and disease prevention objectives of Healthy People 2010, a 
PHS-led national activity announced in January 2000 to eliminate health 
disparities and improve years and quality of life. More information may 
be found on the Healthy People 2010 web site: http//www.health.gov/
People2010: Volumes I and II can be purchased (cost $70.00 for printed 
version; $19.00 for CD-ROM). Another reference is the Healthy People 
2000 Review 1998-99.
    For a free copy of Healthy People 2010, contact: The National 
Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), Division of Data Services, 6525 
Belcrest Road, Hyattsville, MD 20782-2003; or telephone (301) 458-4636; 
as for DHHS Publications No. (PHS) 99-1256.
    This document may also be downloaded from the NCHS web site http://www.cdc.gov/nchs.

Definitions

    For purposes of this grant announcement, the following definitions 
are provided:
    Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI)--Any local education agency or 
institution of higher education, respectively, whose student population 
is more than 25 percent Hispanic (Executive Order 12900, February 22, 
1994, Education Excellence for Hispanic Americans, Section 5).
    Historically Black College or University (HBCU)--An institution 
established prior to 1964, whose principal mission was, and is, the 
education of Black Americans. (National Center for Education 
Statistics. Compendium: Historically Black Colleges and Universities: 
1976-1994. September 1996. [NCES 96-902]).
    Majority Enrollment of Minority Students--Enrollment of minorities 
exceeding 50 percent of the total number of students enrolled (Federal 
Register, Vol. 53, No. 57, March 24, 1988).
    Minority Populations--American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, 
Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, and Native Hawaiian or 
Other Pacific Islander. (Revision to the Standards for the 
Classification of Federal Data on Race and Ethnicity, Federal Register, 
Vol. 62, No. 210, pg. 58782, October 30, 1997.)
    Primary Prevention--Strategies and interventions targeting a broad 
population with universal programs designed to prevent the initial 
development of violent behaviors (From the Commission for the 
Prevention of Youth Violence, December 2000).
    Risk Factor--The environmental and behavioral influences capable of 
causing ill health with or without predisposition.
    Secondary Prevention--Strategies and interventions designed to 
serve specific populations at risk for or involved in violence (From 
the Commission for the Prevention of Youth Violence, December 2000).
    Tribal College or University (TCU)--One of the institutions cited 
in section 532 of the Equity in Education Land-Grants Status Act of 
1994 (U.S.C. 301 note) or that qualify for funding under the Tribally 
Controlled Community College Assistance Act of 1978, (25 U.S.C. 1801 et 
seq), and Navajo Community College, authorized in the Navajo Community 
College Assistance Act of 1978, Public Law 95-471, Title II (25 U.S.C. 
640a note).


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    Dated: March 1, 2002.
Nathan Stinson, Jr.,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Minority Health.
[FR Doc. 02-5363 Filed 3-6-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4150-29-P