[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 66 (Friday, April 5, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16398-16400]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-8225]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[Program Announcement 02082]


Population-Based Surveillance of Autism Spectrum Disorders and 
Other Developmental Disabilities; Notice of Availability of Funds

A. Purpose

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announces the 
availability of fiscal year (FY) 2002 funds for a cooperative agreement 
program for Population-Based Surveillance of Autism Spectrum Disorders 
and Other Developmental Disabilities. CDC is committed to achieving the 
health promotion and disease prevention objectives of ``Healthy People 
2010.'' This announcement is related to the focus area of Maternal, 
Infant and Child Health.
    The purpose of the program is to enhance an existing system or 
develop and implement a new system to undertake a multiple source 
surveillance methodology, from existing data records, for determining 
the prevalence of autism and other developmental disabilities, such as 
mental retardation, cerebral palsy, and vision and hearing impairments, 
in three through ten-year-old children within a geographically-defined 
area (combination of States, Statewide, or regions within a State). 
This program augments CDC's ongoing extramural surveillance program for 
autism and other developmental disabilities.
    Quantifiable and measurable outcomes of the cooperative agreement 
will be measured against the ``Government Performance Results Act'' 
performance goal to find causes and risk factors for birth defects in 
order to develop prevention strategies.

B. Eligible Applicants

    Assistance will be provided only to the Health Departments of 
States or their bona fide agents, including the District of Columbia, 
the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth 
of the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, Guam, federally 
recognized Indian Tribal Governments, the Federated States of 
Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of 
Palau.
    Competition is limited to State Health Departments because they 
maintain public health responsibility for these health conditions, and 
their record systems and expertise are essential to program success. 
State agencies, or their bona fide agents, applying under this 
announcement, that are other than the official State Health Department 
must provide written concurrence on the application from the official 
State Health Department. If an applicant is acting as an agent for 
their State Health Department, the Health Department will be expected 
to assign a liaison to participate in major activities of the program.
    To be eligible, applicants must document a study population of at 
least 30,000 live births per year within a State, a contiguous area of 
a State (such as the catchment of a local health agency), or a 
contiguous area comprising a combination of States.
    Applicants who are unable to document the minimum study population 
size based on live birth data from their State Health Department or 
proxy data from the US Census Bureau (based on 2000 census data, or 
1999 Postcensal estimates) will be determined ineligible.
    The applicant should include this information as part of the 
abstract. If it is not included, then the application will be 
determined as nonresponsive and returned without review.

    Note: Only one application will be accepted from each State or 
combination of States, and the latter must specify which State is 
the lead applicant.

    Title 2 of the United States Code, Section 1611 states that an 
organization described in section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue 
Code that engages in lobbying activities is not eligible to receive 
Federal funds constituting an award, grant, or loan.

C. Availability of Funds

    Approximately $700,000 is available in FY 2002 to fund two to three 
awards. It is expected that the award will begin on September 30, 2002, 
and will be made for a 12-month budget period within a project period 
of up to three 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

    a. Develop or enhance a population-based epidemiologic surveillance 
system for autism spectrum disorders and other developmental 
disabilities to generate timely population-based data. Activities may 
include, but not be limited to, development or enhancement of 
surveillance case definitions, multiple source case ascertainment 
methods (e.g., from educational and medical sources), and data 
collection instruments.
    b. Establish or enhance a multiple-source methodology for case 
ascertainment by developing collaborative relationships with 
appropriate professionals and organizations.
    c. Develop or enhance a plan for training community service 
providers to improve case ascertainment.
    d. Implement or enhance quality assurance procedures to ensure that 
study protocols are followed.
    e. Develop or enhance an evaluation plan for estimating the 
validity and completeness of the surveillance system.
    f. Develop, implement, and evaluate a plan to use surveillance data 
to improve community and service provider awareness of Autism Spectrum 
Disorders (ASD) and other developmental disabilities and/or access of 
children with ASD and other developmental disabilities to 
comprehensive, community-based, family-centered care.
    g. Collaborate with other State surveillance programs for autism 
and other developmental disabilities. Participate in scheduled meetings 
and existing activities.
    h. Disseminate findings of the surveillance activities for the 
professional community and the public to increase public health 
awareness.

2. CDC Activities

    a. Assist recipient in the development and implementation of 
surveillance activities including the development of a standardized 
surveillance case definition.
    b. Provide current scientific information on surveillance methods, 
as requested, including the identification of potential sources for 
surveillance.
    c. Assist recipient in the development of quality assurance 
procedures.

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    d. Provide assistance in the development of an evaluation plan for 
the completeness of the surveillance system.
    e. Facilitate communication/coordination among the surveillance 
programs, to improve efficiency of activities and quality of 
surveillance data.
    f. Provide technical consultation regarding data analyses.

E. Application Content

    The applicant should use the information in the Program 
Requirements, Other Requirements, and Evaluation Criteria sections to 
develop the application content. The application will be evaluated on 
the criteria listed, so it is important to follow them in laying out 
the program plan. The narrative should be no more than 25 double-spaced 
pages, printed on one side, with one inch margins, unreduced font, 
unbound, and unstapled.

F. Submission and Deadline

Application

    Submit the original and two copies of PHS 5161-1 (OMB Number 0937-
0189). Forms are available at the following internet address: 
www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/forminfo.htm.
    On or before May 22, 2002, submit the application to the Grants 
Management Specialist identified in the ``Where to Obtain Additional 
Information'' section of this announcement.
    Deadline: Applications will be considered as meeting the deadline 
if they are either:
    (a) Received on or before the deadline date; or
    (b) Sent on or before the deadline date and received in time for 
submission to the Objective Review Panel. (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 will not be acceptable as proof of timely mailing.)
    Late Applications: Applications which do not meet the criteria in 
(a) or (b) above are considered late applications, will not be 
considered, and will be returned to the applicant.

G. Evaluation Criteria

    Applicants are required to provide Measures of Effectiveness that 
will demonstrate the accomplishment of the various identified 
objectives of the cooperative agreement. Measures of Effectiveness must 
relate to the performance goal as stated in section ``A. Purpose'' of 
this announcement. Measures must be objective/quantitative and must 
measure the intended outcome. The Measures of Effectiveness shall be 
submitted with the application and shall be an element of evaluation.
    Each application will be evaluated individually against the 
following criteria by an independent review group appointed by CDC.
    1. Understanding the Problem (20 points)
    a. Extent to which applicant has a clear, concise understanding of 
the requirements and purpose of the cooperative agreement;
    b. Extent to which applicant understands the issues, challenges, 
and barriers associated with developing and implementing population-
based surveillance for ASD and other developmental disabilities;
    c. Extent to which applicant understands the issues, challenges, 
and barriers associated with case ascertainment for ASD; and
    d. Extent to which applicant describes the need for funds to 
develop/enhance ASD and other developmental disabilities surveillance 
in their State.
    2. Goals and Objectives (20 points)
    a. Extent to which applicant clearly describes the short-term and 
long-term goals and measurable objectives of the project;
    b. Extent to which applicant's goals and objectives are realistic 
and are consistent with the stated goals and purpose of this 
announcement;
    c. The degree to which applicant has met the CDC policy 
requirements regarding the inclusion of women, ethnic and racial groups 
in the proposed research. This includes:
    (1) The proposed plan for the inclusion of both sexes and racial 
and ethnic minority populations for appropriate representation.
    (2) The proposed justification when representation is limited or 
absent.
    (3) A statement as to whether the design of the study is adequate 
to measure differences when warranted.
    (4) 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.
    3. Technical Approach (30 points)
    a. The extent to which the applicant describes the planning 
process, including specific planning objectives, strategies for 
achieving these objectives, and describes an approach to surveillance 
of autism and other developmental disabilities.
    b. Extent to which applicant describes the methods they will use 
to: (1) Identify all relevant sources for surveillance case 
ascertainment for ASD and other developmental disabilities within the 
study area; (2) obtain permission to access records from relevant 
sources; (3) develop standard case definitions for ASD and other 
developmental disabilities and implement a strategy to conduct 
multiple-source case ascertainment; (4) train community service 
providers to improve case ascertainment; (5) develop and implement 
quality assurance procedures and an evaluation plan for the 
surveillance system; (6) develop and implement a plan to use 
surveillance data to improve public awareness of ASD and other 
developmental disabilities and/or access to care of affected children; 
and (7) develop an analytic and dissemination plan, and prepare 
manuscripts.
    c. The extent to which the applicant demonstrates its collaboration 
with health and education services that would be appropriate sources of 
cases for the surveillance system (by letters of support which address 
the level of support, activities, and involvement).
    4. Collaborative Efforts (10 points)
    a. Extent to which applicant demonstrates the ability to 
collaborate with multiple sources such as school systems, diagnostic 
centers, health/mental health service providers and other intervention 
service providers for the purpose of case ascertainment (include 
written assurances).
    b. Extent to which applicant demonstrates their willingness to 
collaborate with other State surveillance programs for autism and other 
developmental disabilities to develop and implement joint project 
efforts.
    c. Extent to which collaborative efforts with other relevant 
programs are documented (such as Part C, State developmental 
disabilities programs, genetics programs etc.).
    5. Staffing and Management System (10 points)
    a. Extent to which the applicant demonstrates that the proposed 
Project Director or Principal Investigator is knowledgeable regarding 
autism, developmental disabilities, and surveillance issues, as 
evidenced by publications, presentations, or other materials that 
document prior work.
    b. Extent to which key personnel have qualifications, skills and 
experience in epidemiologic methods, public health surveillance, data 
management and analysis to develop and implement surveillance in ASD 
and other developmental disabilities, as evidenced by publications, 
presentations, or other materials that document prior work.
    c. Extent to which applicant has the ability and experience to 
manage and

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coordinate surveillance related activities for this project.
    d. Extent to which applicant demonstrates expertise in abstracting 
and reviewing records.
    e. Extent to which there is appropriate dedicated staff and staff 
time to develop and implement the project.
    f. Extent to which applicant provides an appropriate time line, 
which includes activities, percent of time staff will work on this 
project, and responsibilities/duties for assigned personnel.
    g. Extent to which applicant demonstrates an organizational 
structure (include an organizational chart) and facilities/space/
equipment that are adequate to carry out the activities of the program.
    6. Evaluation Plan (10 points)
    a. Extent to which applicant describes an evaluation plan that will 
monitor reliability, progress, timeliness, and completeness of the 
objectives and activities of the project.
    b. Extent to which applicant describes a study to evaluate the 
completeness of ascertainment of children throughout this ongoing 
surveillance program.
    7. Human Subjects Review (not scored)
    Does the applicant adequately address the requirements of 45 CFR 
part 46 for the protection of human subjects?
    8. Budget (not scored)
    The extent to which the budget is reasonable, clearly justified, 
and consistent with the intended use of funds. Applicants should 
include in their first year budget two trips to CDC (Atlanta), for up 
to two persons and two days each trip.

H. Other Requirements

Technical Reporting Requirements

    Provide CDC with original plus two copies of 1. Semiannual progress 
reports, no more than 30 days after the end of the report period. The 
progress reports should include:
    a. A brief project description;
    b. A comparison of the actual accomplishments to the goals and 
objectives established for the period;
    c. The progress report will include a data requirement that 
demonstrates measures of effectiveness. In the case that established 
goals and objectives are not accomplished, discuss the reason for the 
goals and objectives not being accomplished, as well as the anticipated 
corrective action needed to achieve the goals and objectives; and
    d. Other pertinent information, including preliminary findings from 
the analysis of any available data; or the need to change an activity.
    e. Financial recap of obligated dollars to date as a percentage of 
total available funds.
    2. Financial status report, no more than 90 days after the end of 
the budget period; and
    3. Final financial status 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 the application kit.

AR-1  Human Subjects Requirements
AR-2  Requirements for Inclusion of Women and Racial and Ethnic 
Minorities in Research
AR-7  Executive Order 12372 Review
AR-9  Paperwork Reduction Act Requirements
AR-10  Smoke-Free Workplace Requirements
AR-11  Healthy People 2010
AR-12  Lobbying Restrictions

I. Authority and Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

Number

    This program is authorized under sections 301, 311 and 317(C) of 
the Public Health Service Act, [42 U.S.C. Sections 241, 243 and 247b-4 
as amended]. The Catalog 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 homepage 
Internet address--http://www.cdc.gov Click on ``Funding'' then ``Grants 
and Cooperative Agreements''.

For business management technical assistance, please contact:

    Sheryl L. Heard, Grants Management Specialist, Assistance and 
Acquisition Branch B, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention, 2920 Brandywine Road, Room 3000, 
Atlanta, GA 30341-4146, Telephone number: 770-488-2723, Email address: 
[email protected].
    For program technical assistance, contact: Catherine Rice, Project 
Officer Developmental Disabilities Team, National Center on Birth 
Defects and Developmental Disabilities Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention 4770 Buford Hwy, NE (F-15) Atlanta, GA 30341 Telephone: 770-
488-7202 Email address: [email protected].

    Dated: April 1, 2002.
Sandra R. Manning, CGFM,
Director, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control 
and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 02-8225 Filed 4-4-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P