[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 84 (Wednesday, May 1, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21691-21693]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-10680]



DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[Program Announcement 02087]


Distribution and Evaluation of Hepatitis Curricula for Inmates 
and Correctional Staff; 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 distribution and evaluation of hepatitis curricula for 
inmates and correctional staff. This program addresses the ``Healthy 
People 2010'' focus area of Immunization and Infectious Diseases.
    The purpose of the program is to provide assistance for the 
printing, distribution and evaluation of an existing educational 
curriculum that addresses the prevention counseling, testing and 
treatment of viral hepatitis in correctional settings in the United 
States. Specifically, applications are solicited for viral hepatitis 
curricula aimed at the education and training of inmates and 
correctional staff.

B. Eligible Applicants

    Applications may be submitted by public and private non-profit 
organizations and by governments and their agencies; that is, 
universities, colleges, research institutions, hospitals, other public 
and private non-profit organizations, State and local governments 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, the Federated 
States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the 
Republic of Palau, federally recognized Indian tribal governments, 
Indian tribes, or Indian tribal organizations and Faith-based 
organizations are eligible to apply.
    Applicants must have ready access to corrections facilities for 
distribution and evaluation of their educational curricula.

    Note: 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 $150,000 is available in FY 2002 to fund one award. 
It is

[[Page 21692]]

expected that the award will begin on or about September 1, 2002, and 
will be made for a 12-month budget period within a project period of 
one year. The funding estimate may change.

Funding Preferences

    In making awards, priority for funding will be given to applicants 
with existing educational curricula for purposes of increasing the 
health (especially hepatitis) knowledge and awareness of incarcerated 
persons and those under the supervision of corrections staff, as well 
as the corrections staff itself, in local, State and Federal public and 
private corrections programs with a demonstrated high concentration of 
persons at high risk for viral hepatitis infection. Further preference 
will be given to applicants with a mechanism in place to distribute 
curricula materials to corrections facilities nationwide.

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 an operational plan and time-line for the project period 
that will reproduce and distribute an existing curricula to educate 
inmates and corrections officers.
    b. Develop a plan that will evaluate the curricula and measure, at 
a minimum, changes in knowledge of specific audiences who would most 
benefit from curricula's effectiveness (e.g., corrections staff, 
inmates).
    c. Analyze the evaluation results and publish the findings and 
recommendations.

2. CDC Activities

    a. Provide technical support related to viral hepatitis information 
and evaluation methodology, as requested.
    b. Provide technical assistance for the distribution of the 
curricula, for both inmates and corrections staff, as requested.
    c. Provide assistance in developing the evaluation plan, as 
requested.
    d. Assist in the development of a research protocol for 
Institutional Review Board (IRB) review by all cooperating institutions 
participating in the research project. The CDC IRB will review and 
approve the protocol initially and or at least on an annual basis until 
the research project is completed.

E. Content

Letter of Intent (LOI)

    An LOI is optional for this program. The narrative should be no 
more than 5 single-spaced pages, printed on one side, with one inch 
margins, and unreduced font. Your letter of intent will be used to plan 
and execute the evaluation of applications, and should include the 
following information: (1) name and address of institution, and (2) 
Name, address, and telephone number of contact person.

Applications

    Use the information in the Program Requirements, Other 
Requirements, and Evaluation Criteria sections to develop the 
application content. Your application will be evaluated on the criteria 
listed, so it is important to follow them in laying out your program 
plan. The narrative should be no more than 20 double-spaced pages, 
printed on one side, with one inch margins, and unreduced font.
    Include the following in the narrative section of your application:
    1. Provide clear, measurable, time-phased objectives as a part of 
the plan of operation with clearly stated long range goals.
    2. Provide an operational plan that describes how the objectives 
will be achieved.
    3. Provide an evaluation plan that includes qualitative and 
quantitative measures to assess the effectiveness of the program in 
accomplishing the program objectives.
    4. Provide a projected time line for conducting the proposed 
program and evaluation activities.
    5. Provide a description of personnel that includes current and 
proposed staff with position titles, position descriptions, experience, 
and percentage of time staff person will devote to assigned project 
responsibilities. Also, include a curriculum vita for new staff.
    6. Provide a detailed, line-item budget for the project period that 
justifies each line-item.

F. Submission and Deadline

Letter of Intent (LOI)

    On or before June 1, 2002, submit the LOI to the Grants Management 
Specialist identified in the ``Where to Obtain Additional Information'' 
section of this announcement.

Application

    Submit the original and five copies of PHS-398 (OMB Number 0925-
0001) (adhere to the instructions on the Errata Instruction Sheet for 
PHS 398). Forms are available in the application kit and at the 
following Internet address: www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/forminfo.htm.
    On or before July 1, 2002, submit the application to:

Technical Information Management-PA 02087,
Procurement and Grants Office,
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
2920 Brandywine Rd, Room 3000,
Atlanta, GA 30341-4146.
    Deadline: Applications shall be considered as meeting the deadline 
if they are received on or before the deadline date.
    Late: Applications which do not meet the criteria above will be 
returned to the applicant.

G. Evaluation Criteria

    Each application will be evaluated individually against the 
following criteria by an independent review group appointed by CDC.

1. Objectives (30 points)

    The degree to which the project objectives are capable of achieving 
the specific requirements defined in the program announcement. 
Objectives should include process and outcome measures.

2. Plan (15 points)

    The degree to which the proposed activities described in the plan 
of operation, addresses the objectives and the degree of attainability 
of these objectives. The degree to which the applicant has met the CDC 
Policy requirements 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, and (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.

3. Evaluation (10 points)

    The extent to which the proposed plan for evaluation measures the 
changes in knowledge of the target audiences, the impact on health 
behaviors and the cost benefit of such training for the organizations 
involved.

4. Staff (10 points)

    The degree to which the applicant documents the staff 
qualifications and

[[Page 21693]]

skills needed to conduct the project activities.

5. Capacity (30 total points)

    a. The degree to which the organization demonstrates access to the 
institutions and target populations necessary in representing both the 
security and health aspects of a broad range of correctional facilities 
and activities (e.g., pre-release). The organizations must show 
evidence of a quality curricula with supporting educational materials. 
(15 points)
    b. Evidence of experience working with corrections in health, 
security, and capable staff to deliver education and training to 
inmates and staff. (15 points)

6. Measures of Effectiveness (5 points)

    Does the applicant provide Measures of Effectiveness that will 
demonstrate the accomplishment of the purpose of the cooperative 
agreement? Are the measures objective/quantitative and do they 
adequately measure the intended outcome?

7. Budget (Not scored)

    The degree to which the budget is reasonable, clearly justified, 
and consistent with the intended use of funds.

8. Human Subjects (Not Scored)

    Does the application adequately address the requirements of Title 
45 CFR part 46 for the protection of human subjects? 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.

H. Other Requirements

Technical Reporting Requirements

    Provide CDC with original plus two copies of:
    1. Semiannual progress reports.
    2. Financial status report, no more than 90 days after the end of 
the budget period.
    3. Final financial and performance reports, no more than 90 days 
after the end of the project period.
    Send all reports to the Grants Management Specialist identified in 
the ``Where to Obtain Additional Information'' section of this 
announcement.
    The following additional requirements are applicable to this 
program. For a complete description of each, see Attachment I of the 
announcement in 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
AR-15  Proof of Non-Profit Status
AR-22  Research Integrity

I. Authority and Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number

    This program is authorized under sections 301(a), and 317(k)(1) and 
317(k)(2) of the Public Health Service Act, [42 U.S.C. sections 241(a), 
and 247b(k)(1) and 247(k)(2)], 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 home page 
Internet address--http://www.cdc.gov. Click on ``Funding'' then 
``Grants and Cooperative Agreements.''
    If you have questions after reviewing the contents of all the 
documents, business management technical assistance may be obtained 
from:
    Sharon Robertson, Grants Management Specialist, Acquisition and 
Assistance, Branch B, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention, 2920 Brandywine Road, Room 3000, 
Atlanta, GA 30341-4146.
    Telephone number: 770-488-2748. e-mail address: [email protected].
    For program technical assistance, contact: Linda Moyer, Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Infectious 
Diseases, Division of Viral Hepatitis, 1600 Clifton Rd, NE, Mailstop G-
37, Atlanta, GA 30333. Telephone number: 404-371-5910. e-mail address: 
[email protected].

    Dated: April 25, 2002.
Sandra R. Manning,
Director, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control 
and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 02-10680 Filed 4-30-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P