[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 23 (Friday, February 3, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5854-5855]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-1012]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families


Notice of Public Comment on the Proposed Adoption of ANA Program 
Policies and Procedures

AGENCY: Administration for Native Americans (ANA), HHS.

ACTION: Notice of public comment.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 814 of the Native American Programs Act of 
1974 (the Act) as amended by 42 U.S.C. 2992b-1, ANA herein describes 
its proposed interpretive rules and general statements of policy and 
rules of agency procedure or practice in relation to the Social and 
Economic Development Strategies (SEDS) Special Initiative Program 
Announcement: Improving the Well-Being of Children/Native American 
Healthy Marriage Initiative (NAHMI). Under the Act, ANA is required to 
provide members of the public an opportunity to comment on proposed 
changes in interpretive rules and general statements of policy and 
rules of agency procedure or practice and give notice of the final 
adoption of such changes at least thirty (30) days before the changes 
become effective. This Notice also provides additional information 
about ANA's plan for administering NAHMI.

DATES: The deadline for receipt of comments is thirty (30) days from 
the date of publication in the Federal Register.

ADDRESSES: Comments in response to this Notice should be addressed to 
Sheila K. Cooper, Director of Program Operations, Administration for 
Native Americans, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW., Mail Stop: Aerospace 8-
West, Washington, DC 20447. Delays may occur in mail delivery to 
Federal offices; therefore, a copy of comments should be faxed to (202) 
690-7441. Comments will be available for inspection by members of the 
public at the Administration for Native Americans, Aerospace Center, 
901 D Street, SW., Washington, DC 20447.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sheila K. Cooper, Director of Program 
Operations, toll-free at (877) 922-9262.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 814 of the Native American Programs 
Act of 1974, as amended, requires ANA to provide notice of its proposed 
interpretive rules and general statements of policy and rules of agency 
procedure or practice. These proposed clarifications, modifications, 
and new text will appear in the ANA FY 2006 Special Initiative Program 
Announcement. This Notice serves to fulfill this requirement.

[[Page 5855]]

Additional Information

SEDS Special Initiative: Improving the Well-Being of Children/Native 
American Healthy Marriage Initiative (NAHMI)

    ANA has the discretionary authority to make awards in support of 
special initiatives, including but not limited to, healthy marriage and 
relationships, fatherhood, positive youth development, and emergency 
support to Native communities affected by manmade or natural disasters. 
In FY 2005, ANA first announced the availability of funding for a 
special initiative focusing on Native American Healthy Marriage 
projects. This Notice provides additional specific parameters for 
projects funded under this initiative in FY 2006.
    (i) Project periods will be for five years only. Project periods 
consist of five, twelve-month budget periods.
    (ii) The annual budget threshold cannot exceed $200,000 per budget 
period.
    (iii) A request for financial assistance for any of the special 
initiatives will require a non-Federal share match requirement (42 
U.S.C. 2991b(b)).
    (iv) ANA program announcements are category- and program-specific. 
Applicants must submit projects for the Native American Healthy 
Marriage Initiative (NAHMI) under this special program area. Applicants 
must clearly indicate this specific competitive area when applying for 
this competition.
    (v) ANA will consider only the following list of Program Areas of 
Interest:
     Projects that provide public advertising campaigns in 
Native American communities on the value of healthy marriage as a way 
to improve relationships and marriages and strengthen family 
relationships;
     Projects that provide youth education in high schools, 
youth organizations, and community centers on the value of healthy 
marriages and healthy relationship skills, including conflict 
resolution, communication, and commitment. Projects should use a pre-
marital education curriculum focused on youth;
     Projects that offer marriage education, marriage skills, 
and relationship skills, which may include communication skills, 
conflict resolution, commitment, and parenting skills to expectant 
couples, both married and unmarried, as well as new parents, both 
married and unmarried;
     Projects that offer pre-marital education and marriage 
skills training for couples, individuals, or engaged couples interested 
in marriage. Training would include a marriage education course and 
couples would learn the knowledge and skills (communication, conflict 
resolution, and commitment) necessary to choose marriage for themselves 
if they so desire;
     Projects that provide marriage enhancement/enrichment and 
marriage skills training programs for married couples to improve or 
strengthen their relationship through a certified marriage education 
course. The course should include lessons in communication, conflict 
resolution, and commitment;
     Projects that use married couples as role models and 
mentors in at-risk communities to teach healthy relationship and 
marriage skills. Projects should include a marriage education course 
that emphasizes communication, commitment, and conflict resolution; 
weekend retreats; and mentor groups; and
     Projects that conduct research on the benefits of healthy 
marriages and healthy marriage education.
    The primary focus of projects should be on healthy marriage 
education and enrichment. Other activities such as abstinence 
education, foster parenting, and fatherhood accountability can be 
included in the project but cannot be the primary objective.

    Dated: January 30, 2006.
Kimberly Romine,
Deputy Commissioner, Administration for Native Americans.
[FR Doc. 06-1012 Filed 2-2-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-01-M