[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 66 (Tuesday, April 6, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 18095]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-7663]



[[Page 18095]]

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Indian Health Service


National Association of Community Health Representatives

AGENCY: Indian Health Service, HHS.

ACTION: Notice of new developmental non-competitive single source 
Cooperative Agreement with the National Association of Community Health 
Representatives.

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SUMMARY: The Indian Health Service (IHS) announces a new developmental 
non-competitive single source Cooperative Agreement with the National 
Association of Community Health Representatives (NACHR). The 
application is for a five year project period with one year budget 
periods to be awarded on April 15, 2004. The initial budget period will 
be awarded at $90,000.00 and the entire project is expected to be 
awarded at $450,000.00. This award is for start up cost to research and 
study ways to improve the provision of health services delivery, 
outreach and health education for Native American people by studying 
ways to enhance communications among American Indian/Alaska Native 
communities, the IHS and Community Health Representatives (CHR) as 
health providers/educators/advocates; by publishing an informative 
newsletter for members; by coordinating and co-sponsoring a Biannual 
Educational Conference for CHR programs' staff; by establishing links 
with other national Indian organizations and with professional groups 
to serve as advocates for CHR providers; and by actively seeking other 
funding sources to ensure sustainability in pursuing its mission. 
Continuation awards will be made on the basis of satisfactory progress 
as evidenced by required reports and the availability of funds.
    The award is issued under the authority of the Public Health 
Service Act, section 301(a), and is included under the Catalog of 
Federal Domestic Assistance number 93.933. The specific objectives of 
the project are:
    1. The Association will publish, at least twice a year, a 
newsletter for members, focusing on health promotion/disease prevention 
activities and models of best or improving practices. The newsletter 
will be available in both hard copy and electronically.
    2. The Association will present a Biannual Educational Conference 
which supports training and continuing education for Community Health 
Representatives.
    3. The Association will explore and implement the most efficient 
ways to establish links with other national Indian organizations, with 
professional groups and with Federal, state, and local entities to 
serve as advocates for the CHR providers who work with American Indian/
Alaska Natives nationwide.
    4. The Association will develop and submit at least two proposals 
for funding that further the mission, goals, and objectives of CHR 
programs to address health issues in the community and enhance service 
delivery. These proposals may be to Federal, state, regional, national, 
private, and foundation entities.

Justification for Single Source

    This project has been awarded on a non-competitive single source 
basis. NACHR is the only nationwide organization that specifically 
represents approximately 264 individual, Tribally contracted AI/AN CHR 
programs. These CHR programs provide care to over half-million Native 
American people who live on Indian reservations or who live in non-
reservation areas with significant Native American populations. The 
population served by these programs is the same as Indian Health 
Service's user population. The NACHR Board is comprised of one duly 
elected representative from each of the 12 IHS Areas. For over 15 
years, NACHR has had the primary responsibility for advertising, 
coordinating and organizing the once every three years national 
educational conferences typically attended by over half (approximately 
800 persons) hte CHR workforce. NACHR has provided a reliable means by 
which to obtain programmatic and logistical information along with 
informal tribal consultation. Its long history, record of 
accomplishment, and instutitional knowledge in representing tribal CHR 
programs make it uniquely qualified to carry out this project.

Use of Cooperative Agreement

    This new development non-competitive single source Cooperative 
Agreement Award will involve:
    1. Cathy Stueckemann, Project Official and IHS program staff, to 
approve articles to be included in the newsletters and may, as 
requested by the Association, provide articles.
    2. IHS program staff to work with the Association in developing the 
Biannual Educational Conference.
    3. IHS Program staff to have approval over the NACHR Board's hiring 
of key personnel as defined by regulation or provision in the 
cooperative agreement.
    4. IHS Program staff to provide technical assistance to the NACHR 
Board and to attend at least one Board meeting.
    Contacts: For further information, contact Cathy Stueckemann, JD, 
MPA, Public Health Advisor, CHR Program, Office of Clinical and 
Preventive Services, Office of Public Health, Indian Health Service, 
801 Thompson Avenue, Reyes Building, Suite 300, Rockville, Maryland 
20852, telephone (301) 443-2500. For grants information, contact Sylvia 
Ryan, Grants Management Specialist, Division of Acquisitions and Grants 
Management Branch, 801 Thompson Avenue, Suite 100, Rockville, Maryland 
20852, telephone (301) 443-5204.

    Dated: March 31, 2004.
Charles W. Grim,
Assistant Surgeon General, Director, Indian Health Service.
[FR Doc. 04-7663 Filed 4-5-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-16-M