[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 243 (Thursday, December 18, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70517-70520]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-31159]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration


Fiscal Year (FY) 2004 Funding Opportunity

ACTION: Notice of funding availability for Statewide Consumer Network 
Grants.

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    Authority: Section 520 A of the Public Health Service Act, as 
amended and subject to the availability of funds.

SUMMARY: The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration 
(SAMHSA), Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS), announces the 
availability of FY 2004 funds for Statewide Consumer Network Grants. A 
synopsis of this funding opportunity, as well as many other Federal 
Government funding opportunities, is also available at the Internet 
site: http://www.grants.gov.
    For complete instructions, potential applicants must obtain a copy 
of the standard Infrastructure Grants Program Announcement (INF-04 PA), 
and the PHS 5161-1 (Rev. 7/00) application form before preparing and 
submitting an application. The INF-04 PA describes the general program 
design and provides instructions for applying for all SAMHSA 
Infrastructure Grants, including Statewide Consumer Network Grants. 
Additional instructions and requirements specific to Statewide Consumer 
Network Grants are described below.
    Funding Opportunity Title: Statewide Consumer Network Grants (Short 
Title: Statewide Consumer Networks).
    Announcement Type: Initial.
    Funding Opportunity Number: SM 04-003.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 93.243.
    Due Date for Applications: February 25, 2004.
    You will be notified by postal mail that your application has been 
received.
    [Note: Letters from State Single Point of Contact (SPOC) in 
response to E.O. 12372 are due April 25, 2004.]
    Funding Instrument: Grant.
    Funding Opportunity Description: The Statewide Consumer Networks 
program is one of SAMHSA's Infrastructure Grants programs. SAMHSA's 
Infrastructure Grants provide funds to increase the capacity of mental 
health and/or substance abuse service systems to support programs and 
services. SAMHSA's Infrastructure Grants are intended for applicants 
seeking Federal support to develop or enhance their service system 
infrastructure in order to support effective substance abuse and/or 
mental health service delivery. Statewide Consumer Network Grants are 
intended for applicants seeking Federal support to act as ``Agents of 
Transformation'' in developing or enhancing their service system 
infrastructure in order to support effective substance abuse and/or 
mental health service delivery which is consumer driven. The Statewide 
Consumer Network Grant Program is a critical part of the SAMHSA/CMHS 
efforts to implement the recommendations of the Final Report of the 
President's New Freedom Commission on Mental Health.
    The purpose of the Statewide Consumer Networks program is to 
enhance State capacity and infrastructure to be consumer-centered and 
targeted toward recovery and resiliency and consumer-driven by 
promoting the use of consumers as agents of transformation. The program 
goals are to (1) strengthen organizational relationships; (2) promote 
skill development with an emphasis on leadership and business 
management; and (3) identify technical assistance needs of consumers 
and provide training and support to ensure that they are the catalysts 
for transforming the mental health and related systems in their State. 
To achieve this goal, the program assists consumer organizations around 
the country to work with policymakers and services providers to improve 
services for consumers with a serious mental illness. The Program is 
designed to strengthen coalitions among consumers, policymakers and 
service providers, recognizing that the

[[Page 70518]]

consumers are the best and most effective change agents.
    The Statewide Consumer Network grants will support State-level 
consumer-run organizations to assist consumers to participate in the 
development of policies, programs, and quality assurance activities 
related to the Final Report of the President's New Freedom Commission 
on Mental Health as it applies to mental health service delivery. 
Grantees are especially encouraged to utilize training capacity, 
network development, organizational and community readiness, and policy 
development to support best practices but are not limited to these 
specific activities. Examples of the types of community services that 
grantees will work to improve include State planning boards and 
councils, individualized plans of care, anti-stigma initiatives, 
interactions with the criminal justice system, supported employment 
programs, rights protection, cultural competence, outreach to people in 
rural areas, people of color and older-adults: research on recovery, 
trauma and medication; evidence based determinations and applications; 
workforce development; tele-health and other on line supports including 
personal recovery pages.
    Background: The Statewide Consumer Network Grant Program builds on 
the work of the Federal Community Support Program (CSP). The Center for 
Mental Health Services has supported the development of accessible, 
responsive mental health treatment, rehabilitation, and supportive 
services for people with a serious mental illness through CSP. The 
mission of CSP is to promote the development of systems of care which 
help adults with serious mental illness recover, live independently and 
productively in the community, and avoid inappropriate use of 
institutions.
    CSP helped to establish consumer and family organizations 
throughout the country. Today, nearly every State has an active 
consumer organization dedicated to promoting systems of care that are 
responsive to the needs of people with a serious mental illness. By 
providing appropriate training and tools in the development of 
individualized mental health plans, understanding the need and use of 
accountability and evaluation measures, and the many other self-help, 
self-management skills, consumers can provide the guidance and 
foresight into changing the present system to a recover-oriented system 
for all peers and thereby ensuring the implementation of the goals of 
the Final Report of the President's New Freedom Commission on Mental 
Health.
    Estimated Funding Available/Number of Awards: It is expected that 
$1.5 million will be available in FY 2004 to fund approximately 20-22 
awards of up to $70,000 per year in total costs (direct and indirect), 
with a limit of one award per State. It is expected that only Category 
1-Small Infrastructure Grant awards, as defined in the INF-04 PA, will 
be made. Applications that include proposed budgets that exceed $70,000 
in any year will be returned without review. The actual amount 
available for the awards may vary, depending on unanticipated program 
requirements and the number and quality of the applications received. 
This program is being announced prior to the annual appropriation for 
FY 2004 for SAMHSA's programs, with funding estimates based on the 
President's budget request for FY 2004 and/or preliminary Congressional 
action on SAMHSA's appropriation. Applications are invited based on the 
assumption that sufficient funds will be appropriated for FY 2004 to 
permit funding of a reasonable number of applications hereby solicited. 
This program is being announced in order to allow applicants sufficient 
time to plan and prepare applications. Solicitation of applications in 
advance of a final appropriation will also enable the award of 
appropriated grant funds in an expeditious manner. All applicants are 
reminded, however, that we cannot guarantee that sufficient funds will 
be appropriated to permit SAMHSA to fund any applications.
    Eligible Applicants: Eligible applicants are limited to domestic 
private, nonprofit entities, including faith-based entities and 
currently funded Statewide Consumer Network Grantees that (1) are 
controlled and managed by mental health consumers; (2) are dedicated to 
the improvement of mental health services statewide; and (3) have a 
Board of Directors comprised of more than 51 percent consumers. SAMHSA 
is limiting eligibility to consumer-controlled organizations because 
the goals of this grant program are to: to strengthen the capacity of 
consumers to act as agents of transformation in influencing the type 
and amount of services and supports provided to people with a serious 
mental illness and to ensure that their mental health care is consumer 
driven. Applicants will be required to complete and sign a 
Certification of Eligibility and provide necessary supportive 
documentation. This certification will be provided in the application 
kit, available from the National Mental Health Information Center, and 
will also be posted on the SAMHSA Web page along with the NOFA.
    Additional information regarding eligibility, including program 
requirements and formatting requirements, is provided in the INF-04 PA. 
Applications that do not comply with these requirements will be 
screened out and will not be reviewed.
    Period of Support: Awards will be made for project periods of up to 
three years, with annual continuations depending on the availability of 
funds, grantee progress in meeting program goals and objectives, and 
timely submission of required data and reports.
    Is Cost Sharing or Matching Required: No.
    Exceptions to the INF-04 and Other Special Requirements: The 
following information describes exceptions or limitations to the INF-04 
PA and provides special requirements that pertain only to the Statewide 
Consumer Network Grants:
    [sbull] Review Criteria/Project Narrative-- Applicants for 
Statewide Consumer Networks grants are required to address the 
following requirements in the Project Narrative of their applications, 
in addition to the requirements specified in the INF-04 PA:
    (1) In Section B, applicants must describe how the primary focus of 
the proposed project will include work to transform the system through 
specific training and capacity building activities, and network and 
policy development that reflects the goals of the Final Report of the 
President's New Freedom Commission on Mental Health.
    (2) In Section B, applications must describe the applicant's 
collaborations with other family and consumer networks, the State 
Director of Consumer Affairs in the State office of mental health (if 
applicable), consumers on the State Planning Council, and other 
disability groups.
    (3) In Section C, applicants must describe the applicant's 
organizational mission and how its scope of work reflects statewide 
focus on consumers with a serious mental illness and promotes the 
concepts of consumer self-help; management plan and staffing.
    [sbull] Performance Measurement--All SAMHSA grantees are required 
to collect performance data so that SAMHSA can meet its obligations 
under the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA). In Section D 
of their applications, applicants for the Statewide Consumer Networks 
Program must document their ability to collect and report data on all 
the following indicators:
    [sbull] An increase in the number of consumers served; and

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    [sbull] An increase in the number of consumers and family members 
in planning, policy, and service delivery decisions by (a) having 
policies in place; and (b) data on consumers and family member 
participation.
    SAMHSA will work with grantees to finalize a standard methodology 
related to these indicators shortly after award. The data collection 
tool has not yet been developed. Grantees will be required to report 
performance data to SAMHSA on an annual basis.
    Application and Submission Information: Complete application kits 
may be obtained from: the National Mental Health Information Center at 
1-800-789-2649. When requesting an application kit, the applicant must 
specify the funding opportunity title and number for which detailed 
information is desired. All information necessary to apply, including 
where to submit applications and application deadline instructions, are 
included in the application kit. The PHS 5161-1 application form is 
also available electronically via SAMHSA's World Wide Web Home Page: 
http://www.samhsa.gov (Click on ``Grant Opportunities'') and the INF-04 
PA is available electronically at http://www.samhsa.gov/grants/2004/standard/Infrastructure/index.asp.
    When submitting an application, be sure to type ``SM 04-003, 
Statewide Consumer Networks'' in Item Number 10 on the face page of the 
application form. Also, SAMHSA applicants are required to provide a 
DUNS number on the face page of the application. To obtain a DUNS 
Number, access the Dun and Bradstreet Web site at http://www.dunandbradstreet.com or call 1-866-705-5711.
    Intergovernmental Review: Applicants for this funding opportunity 
must comply with Executive Order 12372 (E.O. 12372). E.O. 12372, as 
implemented through Department of Health and Human Services regulation 
at 45 CFR Part 100, sets up a system for State and local review of 
applications for Federal financial assistance. Instructions for 
complying with E.O. 12372 are provided in the INF-04 PA. A current 
listing of State Single Points of Contact (SPOCs) is included in the 
application kit and is available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html.
    Public Health System Impact Statement: The Public Health System 
Impact Statement (PHSIS) is intended to keep State and local health 
officials informed of proposed health services grant applications 
submitted by community-based, non-governmental organizations within 
their jurisdictions. State and local governments and Indian tribal 
government applicants are not subject to the Public Health System 
Reporting Requirements. Instructions for completing the PHSIS are 
provided in the INF-04 PA.
    Application Review Information: SAMHSA applications are peer-
reviewed. For those programs where the individual award is over 
$100,000, applications must also be reviewed by the Appropriate 
National Advisory Council. Decisions to fund a grant are based on the 
strengths and weaknesses of the application as identified by the peer 
review committee and approved by the National Advisory Council, and the 
availability of funds. Unless other wise specified, SAMHSA intends to 
make not more than one award per organization per funding opportunity 
in any given fiscal year.
    Checklist for Application Formatting Requirements: SAMHSA's desire 
is to review all applications submitted for grant funding. However, 
this desire must be balanced against SAMHSA's obligation to ensure 
equitable treatment of applications. For this reason, SAMHSA has 
established certain formatting requirements for its applications. Your 
application must adhere to these formatting requirements. If you do not 
adhere to these requirements, your application will be screened out and 
returned to you without review. In addition to these formatting 
requirements, programmatic requirements (e.g., relating to eligibility) 
may be specified in the NOFA. Please check the entire NOFA before 
preparing your application.
    [sbull] Use the PHS 5161-1 application.
    [sbull] The 10 application components required for SAMHSA 
applications must be included (i.e., Face Page, Abstract, Table of 
Contents, Budget Form, Project Narrative and Supporting Documentation, 
Appendices, Assurances, Certifications, Disclosure of Lobbying 
Activities, and Checklist.)
    [sbull] Text must be legible.
    [sbull] Paper must be white paper and 8.5'' by 11.0'' in size.
    [sbull] Pages must be single-spaced with one column per page.
    [sbull] Margins must be at least one inch.
    [sbull] Type size in the Project Narrative cannot exceed an average 
of 15 characters per inch when measured with a ruler. (Type size in 
charts, tables, graphs, and footnotes will not be considered in 
determining compliance.)
    [sbull] Photo reduction or condensation of type cannot be closer 
than 15 characters per inch or 6 lines per inch.
    [sbull] Pages cannot have printing on both sides.
    [sbull] Page limitations specified for the Project Narrative (25 
pages) and Appendices 1, 3, and 4 (30 pages) cannot be exceeded.
    [sbull] Information provided must be sufficient for review.
    [sbull] Applications must be received by the application deadline. 
Applications received after this date must have a proof of mailing date 
from the carrier dated at least 1 week prior to the due date. Private 
metered postmarks are not acceptable as proof of timely mailing. 
Applications not received by the application deadline or postmarked a 
week prior to the application deadline will not be reviewed.
    [sbull] Applications that do not comply with the following 
requirements and any additional program requirements specified in the 
NOFA, or are otherwise unresponsive to PA guidelines, will be screened 
out and returned to the applicant without review:
    [sbull] Provisions relating to confidentiality, participant 
protection and the protection of human subjects specified in Section 
VIII-A of this document.
    [sbull] Budgetary limitations as specified in Sections I, II and 
IV-E of this document.
    [sbull] Documentation of nonprofit status as required in the PHS 
5161-1.
    To facilitate review of your application, follow these additional 
guidelines. Failure to follow these guidelines will not result in your 
application being screened out. However, following these guidelines 
will help reviewers to consider your application.
    [sbull] Please use black ink and number pages consecutively from 
beginning to end so that information can be located easily during 
review of the application. The cover page should be page 1, the 
abstract page should be page 2, and the table of contents page should 
be page 3. Appendices should be labeled and separated from the Project 
Narrative and budget section, and the pages should be numbered to 
continue the sequence.
    [sbull] Send the original application and two copies to the mailing 
address in the PA. Please do not use staples, paper clips, and 
fasteners. Nothing should be attached, stapled, folded, or pasted. Do 
not use any material that cannot be copied using automatic copying 
machines. Odd-sized and oversized attachments such as posters will not 
be copied or sent to reviewers. Do not include videotapes, audiotapes, 
or CD-ROMs.
    Award Administration: Award information, including information 
about award notices, administrative requirements and reporting

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requirements, is included in the INF-04 PA.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Risa Fox, SAMHSA/Center for Mental 
Health Services, 5600 Fishers Lane, Room 11C-22, Rockville, MD 20857; 
301-443-3653; E-mail: [email protected].

    Dated: December 12, 2003.
Anna Marsh,
Acting Executive Officer, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services 
Administration.
[FR Doc. 03-31159 Filed 12-17-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4162-20-P