[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 114 (Wednesday, June 14, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34362-34369]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-9315]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES


Mississippi Institute for Improvement of Geographic Minority 
Health and Health Disparities Program

AGENCY: Office of Minority Health, Office of Public Health and Science, 
Office of the Secretary, HHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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[[Page 34363]]

    Announcement Type: Competitive Initial Announcement of Availability 
of Funds.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: Mississippi 
Institute for Improvement of Geographic Minority Health and Health 
Disparities Program--93.137.

DATES: Application Availability Date: June 14, 2006. Application 
Deadline: July 14, 2006.

SUMMARY: This announcement is made by the United States Department of 
Health and Human Services (HHS or Department), Office of Minority 
Health (OMH) located within the Office of Public Health and Science 
(OPHS), and working in a ``One-Department'' approach collaboratively 
with participating HHS agencies and programs (entities). The mission of 
the OMH is to improve the health of racial and ethnic minority 
populations through the development of policies and programs that 
address disparities and gaps. OMH serves as the focal point in the HHS 
for leadership, policy development and coordination, service 
demonstrations, information exchange, coalition and partnership 
building, and related efforts to address the health needs of racial and 
ethnic minorities. This announcement supports the Healthy People 2010 
overarching goal to eliminate health disparities.
    As part of a continuing HHS effort to improve the health and well 
being of racial and ethnic minorities, the Department announces 
availability of FY 2006 funding for the Mississippi Institute for 
Improvement of Geographic Minority Health and Health Disparities 
Program. Despite significant improvements in the overall health status 
of the nation over the past decades, disparities in health status 
continue to persist among racial and ethnic minority and disadvantaged 
populations. Such disparities are clearly illustrated by health status 
statistics in southern areas of the United States. Mississippi serves 
as an important pilot location for the development of a geographic and 
minority health disparities model for the nation. Mississippi has a 
population of 2.8 million, 37 percent of whom are African American, and 
51percent of whom live in rural areas. It is the fourth most rural 
state in the nation, and is ranked 31st in terms of population size. 
The significant disease burden of the state is well documented. It 
ranks first of all states and the District of Columbia in mortality 
rates due to cardiovascular disease (30 percent higher than the 
national average). In 1996, the cardiovascular disease-related death 
rate for African Americans in the state was 37 percent greater than for 
whites, and 60 percent greater than the overall national rate. Stroke 
mortality, the third leading cause of death in Mississippi, is 18 
percent higher than the rate for the U.S. as a whole. It has the 
highest prevalence of diabetes and obesity in the nation; approximately 
9 percent of the state's adult population are diabetic and 55 percent 
are obese. Mississippi ranks 5th highest overall in cancer mortality 
rates among the 50 states and the District of Columbia. African 
Americans make up more than 75 percent of the state's reported new AIDS 
cases. Premature death rates are almost 2 times greater for American 
Indians and 1.5 times greater for African Americans than whites. The 
infant mortality rate in a number of counties along the Mississippi 
Delta is three times that of the national average.
    Mississippi has many challenges affecting access to medical care. 
Almost one-quarter of the state's population, aged 18 to 64, report 
having no health insurance; higher than the 15.7 percent of people 
nationally without health insurance in 2004, according to the U.S. 
Census. Other reasons for insufficient access include the state's ratio 
of medical doctors to its general population, which is about half the 
national average, and the large percentage of rural, sparsely-populated 
areas within the state. Access to health care and delivery of services 
to a sizeable population in Mississippi, already inadequate, have been 
further impacted by the devastation caused by last year's hurricanes. 
The Gulf Coast of Mississippi suffered massive damage from the impact 
of Hurricane Katrina on August 29, 2005, leaving 236 people dead, 67 
missing, and an estimated $125 billion in damages. Mississippi's 
healthcare system has been seriously disrupted, resulting in new health 
problems for people living in affected areas. The grant will provide an 
opportunity to address these health problems and to aid in 
restructuring the healthcare system.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Table of Contents

Section I. Funding Opportunity Description

1. Purpose
2. OMH Expectations
3. Applicant Project Results
4. Project Requirements

Section II. Award Information

Section III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants
2. Cost Sharing or Matching
3. Other

Section IV. Application and Submission Information

1. Address To Request Application Package
2. Content and Form of Application Submission
3. Submission Dates and Time
4. Intergovernmental Review
5. Funding Restrictions

Section V. Application Review Information

1. Criteria
2. Review and Selection Process
3. Anticipated Award Date

Section VI. Award Administration Information

1. Award Notices
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
3. Reporting Requirements

Section VII. Agency Contacts

Section VIII. Other Information

1. Healthy People 2010
2. Definitions

Section I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Authority: This program is authorized under 42 U.S.C. 300u-6, 
section 1707 of the Public Health Service Act, as amended.

1. Purpose

    The Mississippi Institute for Improvement of Geographic Minority 
Health and Health Disparities Program is designed to address the many 
and significant health disparities faced by rural disadvantaged and 
minority populations throughout the state. This program is intended to 
demonstrate the effectiveness and efficiency of a targeted and 
multifaceted statewide approach for eliminating health disparities. The 
grant requires a multi-partner effort, involving institutions of higher 
education, state and local health agencies, faith and community-based 
organizations, healthcare organizations, and other stakeholders to 
tackle the state-wide challenge.

2. OMH Expectations

    It is expected that the model will fill an existing void for 
addressing the significant and increasing disparities among the 
targeted populations and communities in Mississippi that will lead to:
     Increased awareness by all populations of healthcare issues 
impacting rural disadvantaged and minority communities;
     Increased access to quality healthcare for rural disadvantaged and 
minority populations;
     Increased number of healthcare personnel available to provide 
services to rural disadvantaged and minority populations;

[[Page 34364]]

     Improved health outcomes for rural disadvantaged and minority 
populations.
    Over the long term, OMH intends to use the model developed under 
this project and variations of the model to address national policies 
and programs to improve the health of rural disadvantaged and minority 
communities.

3. Applicant Project Results

    Applicants must identify anticipated project results that are 
consistent with the overall program purpose and OMH expectations. 
Project results should fall within the following general categories:

Mobilizing Communities and Partnerships
Increasing Knowledge and Awareness
Changing Behavior and Utilization
Increasing Access to Health Care Services
Policy Research
Changing Systems
Improving Data and Evaluation

4. Project Requirements

    Each applicant under the proposed model program must propose to:
    Establish the Mississippi Institute for Improvement of Geographic 
Minority Health and Health Disparities to serve as a hub of state-wide 
activity, services and information on health disparities and the impact 
on Mississippi's racial, ethnic, and rural communities. Form 
partnerships with health professions schools, state and/or local health 
agencies, healthcare organizations, faith and community based 
organizations, and other stakeholders to build the research/science/
knowledge base on health disparities and evidence-based practices; 
foster dialogue on public policy, research and health system issues; 
carry out community outreach and other public education/awareness 
activities; develop and disseminate culturally appropriate educational 
materials for healthcare providers and consumers; promote training of a 
culturally diverse healthcare workforce; train providers to deliver 
appropriate care to rural and minority communities; and address the use 
of technology to improve the quality of health systems and delivery of 
care. Develop, establish, and conduct programs, initiatives, and 
activities through four core components within the Institute: Research, 
Services, Education/Awareness, and Health Information.
    Develop a cadre of researchers/investigators from historically 
black colleges and universities within the state.
    Establish an advisory board to provide advice and guidance on 
program implementation, design, and direction.
    A signed Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the applicant 
organization and each partner organization must be submitted with the 
application. Each MOA must clearly detail the roles and resources 
(including in-kind) that each entity will bring to the project; state 
the duration and terms of the agreement; cover the entire project 
period; and be signed by an individual with the authority to represent 
the organization.

Section II. Award Information

    Estimated Funds Available for Competition: $5,000,000 in FY 2006.
    Anticipated Number of Awards: 1.
    Range of Awards: $5,000,000.
    Anticipated Start Date: September 1, 2006.
    Period of Performance: 3 Years (September 1, 2006 to August 31, 
2009).
    Budget Period Length: 12 months.
    Type of Award: Grant.
    Type of Application Accepted: New.

Section III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

    To qualify for funding, an applicant must be located in the State 
of Mississippi and must be a:
    (1) Health professions school or academic health center; or
    (2) Private nonprofit community-based, minority-serving 
organization which addresses health or human services; or
    (3) State or local government agency which addresses health or 
human services.
    This competition is limited to the State of Mississippi.
    Other entities that meet the definition of private non-profit 
community-based, minority-serving organization and the above criteria 
that are eligible to apply are:
    Faith-based organizations.
    Tribal governments and organizations.
    The organization submitting the application will:
    Serve as the lead agency for the project, responsible for its 
implementation and management; and
    Serve as the fiscal agent for the Federal grant awarded.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

    Matching funds are not required for the Institute Program.

3. Other

    This competition is limited to the State of Mississippi, based on 
its dire health care needs as described in the Summary. Additionally, 
due to last year's hurricanes, Mississippi's healthcare system has been 
seriously disrupted, adding to the myriad of health problems for people 
living in the state. The grant will provide an opportunity to address 
these health problems and to aid in restructuring the healthcare 
system.
    If funding is requested in an amount greater than the ceiling of 
the award range, the application will be considered non-responsive and 
will not be entered into the review process. The application will be 
returned with notification that it did not meet the submission 
requirements.
    Applications that are not complete or that do not conform to or 
address the criteria of this announcement will be considered non-
responsive and will not be entered into the review process. The 
application will be returned with notification that it did not meet the 
submission requirements.
    No more than one application per organization may be submitted to 
the Mississippi Institute for Improvement of Geographic Minority Health 
and Health Disparities Program. Those organizations submitting more 
than one proposal for this grant program will be deemed ineligible, and 
the proposals will be returned without comment.
    Organizations are not eligible to receive funding from more than 
one OMH grant program to carry out the same project and/or activities.

Section IV. Application and Submission Information

1. Address To Request Application Package

    Application kits may be obtained: At http://www.omhrc.gov. By 
writing to the Office of Grants Management, OPHS, Tower Building, 1101 
Wootton Parkway, Suite 550, Rockville, MD 20852; or contact the Office 
of Grants Management at (240) 453-8822. Application kits may also be 
requested by fax at (240) 453-8823. Please specify the program name, 
Mississippi Institute for Improvement of Geographic Minority Health and 
Health Disparities Project, when requesting an application kit.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

A. Application and Submission
    Applicants must use Grant Application Form OPHS-1 and complete the 
Face Page/Cover Page (SF 424), Checklist, and Budget Information Forms 
for Non-Construction Programs (SF 424A). In addition, the application 
must contain a project narrative. The project narrative (including 
summary

[[Page 34365]]

and appendices) is limited to 60 pages double-spaced.
    The narrative must be printed on one side of 8\1/2\ by 11 inch 
white paper, with one inch margins, double-spaced and 12-point font. 
All pages must be numbered sequentially including any appendices. (Do 
not use decimals or letters, such as: 1.3 or 2A.) Do not staple or bind 
the application package.
    The narrative description of the project must contain the 
following, in the order presented:
    Table of Contents.
    Project Summary: Describe key aspects of the Background, 
Objectives, Program Plan, and Evaluation Plan. The summary is limited 
to 3 pages.
    Background:
    Statement of Need: Provide a clearly stated description of the 
scope of the problems to be addressed by the project, and methods that 
will be implemented to create an Institute focusing on research, 
services, education/awareness, and health information. Identify partner 
organizations and provide the rationale for including them in the 
project.
    Organizational Capability: Discuss the applicant organization's 
experience in managing project/activities, especially those targeting 
the population to be served, and the major accomplishments achieved. 
Indicate where the Institute will be located within the organization's 
structure, the reporting channel and how this location will allow the 
Institute to be successful with an effort of this magnitude. Provide a 
chart of the proposed project's organizational structure, showing who 
will report to whom and how this structure will facilitate efficient 
communications and timely action on key project activities. Describe 
how the partner organizations will interface with the applicant 
organization.
    Objectives: State objectives in measurable terms, with baseline 
data and quantified expected outcome(s), and realistic target date(s) 
for achievement. Objectives must address each of the four program 
components (i.e., research, services, education/awareness, and health 
information) as spelled out under the Project Requirements section.
    Program Plan: Describe in detail the specific project activities 
and strategies to be implemented to achieve each stated objective. The 
description should encompass information about how, when, where, for 
whom, and by whom activities will take place. Include a description of 
the active role of partner organizations in the development and 
implementation phases of the project. Include projected numbers of 
participants/beneficiaries for each activity/service. Activities must 
be conducted in the areas of research, services, education/awareness, 
and health information.
--Research. At a minimum, this activity must include:
    (1) Strategies for improving the quantity and quality of data and 
information on the health status of rural and minority populations; 
identification of key health factors impacting the health of rural and 
minority populations; and methods for tracking changes in the health 
status of the targeted populations.
    (2) Preventive and clinical interventions to improve the health 
status of rural and minority populations.
    (3) Research centered on delivery of healthcare services and health 
policy.

--Services. At a minimum, this activity must include:

    (1) Strategies, methods, and/or program models to increase the 
health status of rural and minority populations using community and 
evidence-based service delivery models that integrate and more 
efficiently manage existing health care resources.

--Education/Awareness. At a minimum, this activity must include:

    (1) Strategies for improving availability and accessibility of 
information in a format and in venues that reach individuals, health 
care providers/practitioners, health care organizations/associations, 
business leaders and others.
    (2) Community-based health education and consumer education models.
    (3) Training of primary healthcare providers from diverse 
backgrounds, both geographic and racial/ethnic, to better serve the 
target population and to increase the number and availability of 
healthcare providers serving these populations.
    (4) Training efforts designed to expand the health education 
pipeline.

--Health Information. At a minimum, this activity must include:

    (1) An electronic medical records system that would be accessible 
by both providers and patients.
    (2) An interconnected, state-wide health data exchange network.
    Discuss strategies and identify funding sources for sustaining the 
Institute and all of its activities after the end of the Federally 
funded project period. Provide a timetable and the level of financial 
support needed to achieve self-sufficiency.
    Provide a description of the proposed program staff, including 
resumes and job descriptions for key staff, qualifications and 
responsibilities of each staff member, and percent of time each will 
commit to the project. Provide a description of duties for any proposed 
consultants. Describe any products to be developed by the project. 
Provide a timeline for the project.
    Evaluation Plan: The evaluation plan must clearly articulate how 
program activities will be evaluated. The evaluation plan must be able 
to produce documented results that demonstrate whether and how the 
strategies and activities funded under the Program made a difference in 
eliminating racial/ethnic and rural health disparities. The plan should 
identify the expected results (i.e., a particular impact, outcome or 
product) for each objective and major activity. The description should 
include data collection and analysis methods, demographic data to be 
collected on project participants, process measures describing 
indicators to be used to monitor and measure progress toward achieving 
projected results by objective, outcome measures to determine if the 
project has accomplished planned activities, and impact measures to 
demonstrate achievement of the goal to positively affect health 
disparities.
    Discuss plans to document the steps which others may follow to 
replicate the proposed project in similar communities. Describe a 
comprehensive plan for diffusion of project results to other 
communities. The plan must include expectations for publishing results 
in professional literature and to communities in a manner and through 
venues that they access.
    In addition to the project narrative, the application must contain 
a detailed budget justification which includes a narrative explanation 
and indicates the computation of expenditures for each year for which 
grant support is requested. (The budget justification does not count 
toward the page limitation.)
B. Data Universal Numbering System number (DUNS)
    Applications must have a Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal 
Numbering System number as the universal identifier when applying for 
Federal grants. The D&B number can be obtained by calling (866) 705-
5711 or through the Web site at http://www.dnb.com/us/.

3. Submission Dates and Times

    Application Deadline Date: July 14, 2006.
Submission Mechanisms
    The Office of Public Health and Science provides multiple 
mechanisms

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for the submission of applications, as described in the following 
sections. Applicants will receive notification via mail from the Office 
of Grants Management, OPHS, confirming the receipt of applications 
submitted using any of these mechanisms. Applications submitted after 
the deadline described below will not be accepted for review. 
Applications that do not conform to the requirements of the grant 
announcement will not be accepted for review and will be returned to 
the applicant.
    You may submit your application in either electronic or paper 
format.
    To submit an application electronically, use either the OPHS 
eGrants web site, https://egrants.osophs.dhhs.gov or the Grants.gov web 
site, http://www.Grants.gov/. OMH will not accept grant applications 
via any other means of electronic communication, including email or 
facsimile transmission.
Electronic Submission
    If you choose to submit your application electronically, please 
note the following: Electronic submission is voluntary, but strongly 
encouraged. You will not receive additional point value because you 
submit a grant application in electronic format, nor will you be 
penalized if you submit an application in paper format. The electronic 
application for this program may be accessed on https://egrants.osophs.dhhs.gov (eGrants) or on http://www.grants.gov/ 
(Grants.gov). If using Grants.gov, you must search for the downloadable 
application package by the CFDA number (93.910).
    When you enter the eGrants or the Grants.gov sites, you will find 
information about submitting an application electronically, as well as 
the hours of operation. We strongly recommend that you do not wait 
until the deadline date to begin the application process. Visit eGrants 
or Grants.gov at least 30 days prior to filing your application to 
fully understand the process and requirements. Grants.gov requires 
organizations to successfully complete a registration process prior to 
submission of an application. The body of the application and required 
forms can be submitted electronically using either system. Electronic 
submissions must contain all forms required by the application kit, as 
well as the Program Narrative, Budget Narrative, and any appendices or 
exhibits. Applicants using eGrants are also required to submit, by 
mail, a hard copy of the face page (SF424) with the original signature 
of an individual authorized to act for the applicant agency or 
organization and to assume for the organization the obligations imposed 
by the terms and conditions of the grant award. (Applicants using 
Grants.gov are not required to submit a hard copy of the SF424, as 
Grants.gov uses digital signature technology.) If required, applicants 
using eGrants may also need to submit a hard copy of SF LLL, and/or 
certain program related forms (e.g., Program certifications) with 
original signatures.
    Any other hard copy materials, or documents requiring signature, 
must also be submitted via mail. Mail-in items may only include 
publications, resumes, or organizational documentation. (If applying 
via eGrants, the applicant must identify the mail-in items on the 
Application Checklist at the time of electronic submission.) The 
application will not be considered complete until both the electronic 
application components and any hard copy materials or original 
signatures are received. All mailed items must be received by the 
Office of Grants Management, OPHS by the deadline specified below.
    Your application must comply with any page limitation requirements 
described in this program announcement.
    We strongly encourage you to submit your electronic application 
well before the closing date and time so that if difficulties are 
encountered you can still send in a hard copy overnight. If you 
encounter difficulties, please contact the eGrants Help Desk at 1-301-
231-9898 x142 (egrants-help@osophs,dhhs.gov), or the Grants.gov Help 
Desk at 1-800-518-4726 ([email protected]) to report the problem and 
obtain assistance with the system.
    Upon successful submission via eGrants, you will receive a 
confirmation page indicating the date and time (Eastern Time) of the 
electronic application submission. The confirmation will also provide a 
listing of all items that constitute the final application submission 
including all electronic application components, required hard copy 
original signatures, and mail-in items, as well as the mailing address 
of the Office of Grants Management, OPHS, where all required hard copy 
materials must be submitted and received by the deadline specified 
below. As items are received by that office, the application status 
will be updated to reflect their receipt. Applicants are advised to 
monitor the status of their applications in the OPHS eGrants system to 
ensure that all signatures and mail-in items are received.
    Upon successful submission via Grants.gov, you will receive a 
confirmation page indicating the date and time (Eastern Time) of the 
electronic application submission, as well as the Grants.gov Receipt 
Number. It is critical that you print and retain this confirmation for 
their records, as well as a copy of the entire application package. 
Applications submitted via Grants.gov also undergo a validation 
process. Once the application is successfully validated by Grants.gov, 
you will again be notified and should immediately mail all required 
hard copy materials to the Office of Grants Management, OPHS, to be 
received by the deadline specified below. It is critical that you 
clearly identify the Organization name and Grants.gov Application 
Receipt Number on all hard copy materials. Validated applications will 
be electronically transferred to the OPHS eGrants system for 
processing. Any applications deemed ``Invalid'' by Grants.gov will not 
be transferred to the eGrants system. OPHS has no responsibility for 
any application that is not validated and transferred to OPHS from 
Grants.gov.
    Electronic grant application submissions must be submitted no later 
than 5 p.m. Eastern Time on July 14, 2006. All required hard copy 
original signatures and mail-in items must be received by the Office of 
Grants Management, OPHS, no later than 5 p.m. Eastern Time on the next 
business day after the deadline.
Mailed or Hand-Delivered Hard Copy Applications
    Applicants who submit applications in hard copy (via mail or hand-
delivered) are required to submit an original and two copies of the 
complete application. The original application must be signed by an 
individual authorized to act for the applicant agency or organization 
and to assume for the organization the obligations imposed by the terms 
and conditions of the grant award. The original and each of the two 
copies must include all required forms, certifications, assurances, and 
appendices.
    Mailed or hand-delivered applications will be considered as meeting 
the deadline if they are received by the Office of Grants Management, 
OPHS, on or before 5 p.m. Eastern Time on July 14, 2006. The 
application deadline date requirement specified in this announcement 
supersedes the instructions in the OPHS-1. Applications that do not 
meet the deadline will be returned to the applicant unread.
    For applications submitted in hard copy, send an original, signed 
in blue ink, and two copies of the complete

[[Page 34367]]

application to: Ms. Karen Campbell, Director, OPHS Office of Grants 
Management, 1101 Wootton Parkway, Suite 550, Rockville, MD 20852. 
Required hard copy mail-in items should be sent to this same address.

4. Intergovernmental Review

    The Mississippi Institute for Improvement of Geographic Minority 
Health and Health Disparities Program is subject to the requirements of 
Executive Order 12372 which allows States the option of setting up a 
system for reviewing applications from within their States for 
assistance under certain Federal programs. Mississippi has chosen to 
set up a review system and has designated a State Single Point of 
Contact (SPOC) for Mississippi.
    The Mississippi SPOC is: Ms. Janet Riddell, Clearinghouse Officer, 
Department of Finance and Administration, 1301 Woolfolk Building, Suite 
E, 501 North West Street, Jackson, Mississippi 39201. Telephone: (601) 
359-6762. Fax: (601) 359-6758 [email protected].
    You should contact your SPOC as early as possible to alert her to 
the prospective application and receive any necessary instructions on 
the State process. The due date for the State process recommendation is 
60 days after the application deadline established by the OPHS Grants 
Management Officer. The Office of Minority Health does not guarantee 
that it will accommodate or explain its responses to the State process 
recommendation, if received after that date. (See ``Intergovernmental 
Review of Federal Programs,'' Executive Order 12372, and 45 CFR Part 
100 for a description of the review process and requirements).
    The Mississippi Institute for Improvement of Geographic Minority 
Health and Health Disparities Program is subject to Public Health 
Systems Reporting Requirements. Under these requirements, community-
based non-governmental applicants must prepare and submit a Public 
Health System Impact Statement (PHSIS). The PHSIS is intended to 
provide information to State and local officials to keep them apprised 
of proposed health services grant applications submitted by community-
based organizations within their jurisdictions.
    Community-based non-governmental applicants are required to submit, 
no later than the Federal due date for receipt of the application, the 
following information to the head of the appropriate State or local 
health agencies in the area(s) to be impacted: (a) A copy of the face 
page of the application (SF 424), and (b) a summary of the project 
(PHSIS), not to exceed one page, which provides: (1) A description of 
the population to be served, (2) a summary of the services to be 
provided, and (3) a description of the coordination planned with the 
appropriate State or local health agencies. Copies of the letter 
forwarding the PHSIS to these authorities must be contained in the 
application materials submitted to the OPHS.

5. Funding Restrictions

    Budget Request: If funding is requested in an amount greater than 
the ceiling of the award range, the application will be considered non-
responsive and will not be entered into the review process. The 
application will be returned with notification that it did not meet the 
submission requirements.
    Grants funds may be used to cover costs of:
    Personnel.
    Consultants.
    Equipment.
    Supplies.
    Grant-related travel (domestic only).
    Other grant-related costs.
    Grants funds may not be used for:
     Building alterations or renovations.
     Construction.
     Fund raising activities.
     Job training.
     Medical care, treatment or therapy.
     Political education and lobbying.
     Research studies involving human subjects.
     Vocational rehabilitation.
    Guidance for completing the budget can be found in the Program 
Guidelines, which are included with the complete application kit.

Section V. Application Review Information

1. Criteria

    The technical review of the Mississippi Institute for Improvement 
of Geographic Minority Health and Health Disparities Program 
applications will consider the following four generic factors listed, 
in descending order of weight.
A. Factor 1: Program Plan (35%)
     Appropriateness and merit of proposed approach and specific 
activities for each of the four required project components and each 
objective.
     Logic and sequencing of the planned approaches as they relate to 
the needs of minority and rural populations in Mississippi and to the 
objectives.
     Soundness of the established partnership and the roles of the 
partners in the program.
     Soundness of the plan for self-sufficiency and potential for the 
Institute to be continued beyond Federal funding.
     Applicant's capability to implement, manage, and evaluate the 
project as determined by:

--Qualifications and appropriateness of proposed staff or requirements 
for ``to be hired'' staff and consultants.
--Proposed level of effort for each staff member.
--Management, research, and service delivery experience of the 
applicant.
--The applicant's organizational structure and proposed project 
organizational structure.

     The applicant's prominence and influence in the state, connections 
to critical players and information, ability to bring together key 
individuals and organizations from both the local and state level to 
effect change.

--Appropriateness of defined roles including staff reporting channels 
and that of any proposed consultants.
--Clear lines of authority among the proposed staff within and between 
the partnering organizations.
B. Factor 2: Evaluation Plan (25%)
     The degree to which expected results are appropriate for 
objectives and activities.
     Appropriateness of the proposed data collection plan (including 
demographic data to be collected on project participants), analysis and 
reporting procedures.
     Suitability of process, outcome, and impact measures for this type 
of project.
     Clarity and soundness of the intent and plans to assess and 
document progress towards achieving objectives, planned activities, and 
intended outcomes.
     Potential for the proposed project to impact the health status of 
the target population(s).
     Soundness of the plan for diffusing project outcomes.
C. Factor 3: Background (20%)
     Demonstrated experience with addressing health problems for the 
targeted populations in Mississippi.
     Significance and prevalence of health issues in the proposed 
community and target population.
     Extent to which the applicant demonstrates access to the target 
community(ies), and whether it is well positioned and accepted within 
the community(ies) to be served.
     Extent and documented outcome of past efforts and activities with 
the target population.
D. Factor 4: Objectives (20%)
     Merit of the objectives for each of the four required program 
components (i.e.,

[[Page 34368]]

Research, Services, Education and Health Information) .
     Relevance to the OMH Program purpose and expectations, and the 
stated problems to be addressed by the proposed project.
     Degree to which the objectives are stated in measurable terms.
     Attainability of the objectives in the stated time frames.

2. Review and Selection Process

    Accepted Mississippi Institute for Improvement of Geographic 
Minority Health and Health Disparities Program applications will be 
reviewed for technical merit in accordance with PHS policies. 
Applications will be evaluated by an Objective Review Committee (ORC). 
Committee members are chosen for their expertise in minority health and 
health disparities, and their understanding of the unique health 
problems and related issues confronted by the racial, ethnic and rural 
populations in the United States. Funding decisions will be determined 
by the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Minority Health who will take 
under consideration the recommendations and ratings of the ORC.

3. Anticipated Award Date

    September 1, 2006.

Section VI. Award Administration Information

1. Award Notice

    The successful applicant will receive a notification letter from 
the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Minority Health and a Notice of 
Grant Award (NGA), signed by the OPHS Grants Management Officer. The 
NGA shall be the only binding, authorizing document between the 
recipient and the Office of Minority Health. Unsuccessful applicants 
will receive notification from OPHS.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

    In accepting this award, the grantee stipulates that the award and 
any activities thereunder are subject to all provisions of 45 CFR parts 
74 and 92, currently in effect or implemented during the period of the 
grant.
    The DHHS Appropriations Act requires that, when issuing statements, 
press releases, requests for proposals, bid solicitations, and other 
documents describing projects or programs funded in whole or in part 
with Federal money, all grantees shall clearly state the percentage and 
dollar amount of the total costs of the program or project which will 
be financed with Federal money and the percentage and dollar amount of 
the total costs of the project or program that will be financed by non-
governmental sources.

3. Reporting Requirements

    The successful applicant under this notice will submit: (1) Semi-
annual progress reports; (2) an annual Financial Status Report; and (3) 
a final progress report and Financial Status Report in the format 
established by the OMH, in accordance with provisions of the general 
regulations which apply under ``Monitoring and Reporting Program 
Performance,'' 45 CFR Part 74.51-74.52, with the excepting of State and 
local governments to which 45 CFR part 92, Subpart C reporting 
requirements apply.
    Uniform Data Set: The Uniform Data Set (UDS) is a web-based system 
used by OMH grantees to electronically report progress data to OMH. It 
allows OMH to more clearly and systematically link grant activities to 
OMH-wide goals and objectives, and document programming impacts and 
results. All OMH grantees are required to report program information 
via the UDS (http://www.dsgonline.com/omh/uds). Training will be 
provided on the use of the UDS system.
    The grantee will be informed of the progress report due dates and 
means of submission. Instructions and report format will be provided 
prior to the required due date. The Annual Financial Status Report is 
due no later than 90 days after the close of each budget period. The 
final progress report and Financial Status Report are due 90 days after 
the end of the project period. Instructions and due dates will provided 
prior to required submission.

Section VII. Agency Contacts

    For questions on budget and business aspects for the application, 
contact Mr. DeWayne Wynn, Grants Management Specialist, OPHS Office of 
Grants Management, Tower Building, 1101 Wootton Parkway, Suite 550, 
Rockville, MD 20852. Mr. Wynn can be reached by telephone at (240) 453-
8822; or by e-mail at [email protected].
    For questions related to the Mississippi Institute for Improvement 
of Geographic Minority Health and Health Disparities Program or 
assistance in preparing a grant proposal, contact Ms. Cynthia Amis, 
Director, Division of Program Operations, Office of Minority Health, 
Tower Building, Suite 600, 1101 Wootton Parkway, Rockville, MD 20852. 
Ms. Amis can be reached by telephone at (240) 453-8444; or by e-mail at 
[email protected].
    For additional technical assistance, contact the OMH Regional 
Minority Health Consultant for your region listed in your grant 
application kit.
    For health information, call the OMH Resource Center (OMHRC) at 1-
800-444-6472.

Section VIII. Other Information

1. Healthy People 2010

    The Public Health Service (PHS) is committed to achieving the 
health promoting and disease prevention objectives of Healthy People 
2010, a PHS-led national activity announced in January 2000 to 
eliminate health disparities and improve years and quality of life. 
More information may be found on the Healthy People 2010 Web site: 
http://www.healthypeople.gov and copies of the documents may be 
downloaded. Copies of the Healthy People 2010: Volumes I and II can be 
purchased by calling (202) 512-1800 (cost $70.00 for printed version; 
$20.00 for CD-ROM). Another reference is the Healthy People 2010 Final 
Review-2001.
    For one free copy of the Healthy People 2010, contact: The National 
Center for Health Statistics, Division of Data Services, 3311 Toledo 
Road, Hyattsville, MD 20782, or by telephone at (301) 458-4636. Ask for 
HHS Publication No. (PHS) 99-1256. This document may also be downloaded 
from: http://www.healthypeople.gov.

2. Definitions

    For purposes of this announcement, the following definitions apply:
    Community-Based Organizations--Private, nonprofit organizations 
that are representative of communities or significant segments of 
communities where the control and decision making powers are located at 
the community level.
    Community-Based, Minority-Serving Organization--A community-based 
organization that has a history of service to racial/ethnic minority 
populations. (See Definition of Minority Populations below.)
    Minority Populations--American Indian or Alaska Native; Asian; 
Black or African American; Hispanic or Latino; Native Hawaiian or other 
Pacific Islander (42 U.S.C. 300u-6, section 1707 of the Public Health 
Service Act, as amended)
    Nonprofit Organizations--Corporations or associations, no part of 
whose net earnings may lawfully inure to the benefit of any private 
shareholder or individual. Proof of nonprofit status must be submitted 
by private nonprofit organizations with the application or, if 
previously filed with PHS, the applicant must state where and when the 
proof was submitted.


[[Page 34369]]


    Dated: May 26, 2006.
Garth N. Graham,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Minority Health.
 [FR Doc. E6-9315 Filed 6-13-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4150-29-P