[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 111 (Monday, June 11, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32102-32109]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-2894]



[[Page 32102]]

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES


Community Partnerships To Eliminate Health Disparities 
Demonstration Grant Program

AGENCY: Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the 
Secretary, Office of Public Health and Science, Office of Minority 
Health.

ACTION: Notice.

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    Announcement Type: Competitive Initial Announcement of Availability 
of Funds.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: Community 
Partnerships to Eliminate Health Disparities Demonstration Grant 
Program--93.137.

DATES: To receive consideration, applications must be received by the 
Office of Grants Management, Office of Public Health and Science 
(OPHS), Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) c/o WilDon 
Solutions, Office of Grants Management Operations Center, Attention 
Office of Minority Health Community Partnerships to Eliminate Health 
Disparities Demonstration Grant Program, no later than 5 p.m. Eastern 
Time on July 11, 2007. The application due date requirement in this 
announcement supersedes the instructions in the OPHS-1 form.

ADDRESSES: Application kits may be obtained electronically by accessing 
Grants.gov at http://www.grants.gov or GrantSolutions at http://www.GrantSolutions.gov. To obtain a hard copy of the application kit, 
contact WilDon Solutions at 1-888-203-6161. Applicants may fax a 
written request to WilDon Solutions at (703) 351-1138 or e-mail the 
request to [email protected]. Applications must be prepared 
using Form OPHS-1 ``Grant Application,'' which is included in the 
application kit.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: WilDon Solutions, Office of Grants 
Management Operations Center, 1515 Wilson Blvd., Third Floor Suite 310, 
Arlington, VA 22209 at 1-888-203-6161, at e-mail 
[email protected], or fax 703-351-1138.
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). 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 2007 
funding for the Community Partnerships to Eliminate Health Disparities 
Demonstration Grant Program (hereafter referred to as the Community 
Partnerships Program). OMH is authorized to conduct this program under 
42 U.S.C. 300u-6, section 1707 of the Public Health Service Act, as 
amended. 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. OMH activities are implemented in an effort to 
address Healthy People 2010, a comprehensive set of disease prevention 
and health promotion objectives for the Nation to achieve over the 
first decade of the 21st century (http://www.healthypeople.gov). This 
funding announcement is also made in support of the OMH National 
Partnership for Action initiative. The mission of the National 
Partnership for Action is to work with individuals and organizations 
across the country to create a Nation free of health disparities with 
quality health outcomes for all by achieving the following five 
objectives: increasing awareness of health disparities; strengthening 
leadership at all levels for addressing health disparities; enhancing 
patient-provider communication; improving cultural and linguistic 
competency in delivering health services; and better coordinating and 
utilizing research and outcome evaluations.
    The Community Partnerships Program is designed to support 
activities that address, and will subsequently eliminate, racial and 
ethnic health disparities through community-level activities that 
promote health, reduce risks, and increase access to and utilization of 
preventive health care and treatment services. In FY 2007 the Community 
Partnerships Program will support community-based programs that 
implement activities through collaborative arrangements among minority 
serving community-based organizations, health care facilities, and 
other community entities. This program is intended to ascertain the 
effectiveness of collaborative community-based interventions, 
implemented at the grassroots level, on reducing health disparities 
among racial and ethnic minority populations, and demonstrate the 
effectiveness of the collaborative partnership approach in:
     Developing, implementing and conducting demonstration 
projects in high-risk minority communities which coordinate integrated 
community-based educational screening and outreach services, and 
include linkages for access, and treatment to minorities in high-risk, 
low-income communities;
     Reducing social cultural and linguistic barriers to health 
care; and
     Implementing and/or adapting existing promising practices/
model programs for targeted minority communities.
    The gap in life expectancy between Black and white Americans has 
narrowed since 1985, but significant racial and ethnic disparities 
remain across a wide range of health measures.\1\ The 2005 National 
Healthcare Disparities Report found that disparities related to race, 
ethnicity and socioeconomic status continue to pervade the American 
health care system.\2\ The report also states that since the causes of 
disparities and their prioritization vary across the country, 
``successfully addressing disparities often requires focused community-
based projects that are supported by detailed local data.'' Eliminating 
the disproportionate health care disparities is an HHS priority, and 
the second goal of Healthy People 2010. The risk of many diseases and 
health conditions are reduced through preventative actions. A culture 
of wellness diminishes debilitating and costly health problems. 
Individual health care is built on a foundation of responsibility for 
personal wellness, which includes participating in regular physical 
activity, eating a healthful diet, taking advantage of medical 
screenings, and making healthy choices to avoid risky behaviors. 
Background information on health issue areas in which significant 
racial/ethnic disparities are documented may be found in Section VIII 
of this announcement.
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    \1\ Health, United States, 2006, National Center for Health 
Statistics (NCHS), Hyattsville, MD, November 2006.
    \2\ National Healthcare Disparities Report, U.S. Department of 
Health and Human Services, Agency for Health Care Research and 
Quality (AHRQ), Rockville, MD, December 2005.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Table of Contents

Section I. Funding Opportunity Description
    1. Purpose
    2. OMH Expectations
    3. Applicant Project Results
    4. Project Requirements

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    5. Health Areas To Be Addressed
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 Kit
    2. Content and Form of Application Submission
    3. Submission Dates and Times
    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. Background Information
    2. Healthy People 2010
    3. 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 purpose of the Community Partnerships to End Health Disparities 
Demonstration Grant Program is to improve the health status of targeted 
minority populations (see definition of minority populations in Section 
VIII.3 of this announcement) by eliminating disparities. Through this 
FY 2007 announcement, the OMH is continuing to promote the utilization 
of community partnerships with locally grounded, grassroots 
organizations to develop and/or implement promising practices and model 
programs targeting minority communities that focus on: Health education 
promotion, disease risk reduction and increased access to and 
utilization of preventive health care and treatment services. Support 
will be provided to projects that emphasize prevention, one of the HHS 
priorities. The risks of many diseases and health conditions are 
reduced through preventative actions.

2. OMH Expectations

    It is intended that the Community Partnerships Program will result 
in:
     Increased awareness of risk factors, and health promoting 
behaviors;
     Reduction in high-risk behaviors; and
     Improved access to health care for hardly reached minority 
populations.

3. Applicant Project Results

    Applicants must identify 3 of the 5 following anticipated project 
results that are consistent with the Community Partnerships Program 
overall and OMH expectations:
     Increasing awareness of health disparities;
     Strengthening leadership at all levels for addressing 
health disparities;
     Improving patient-provider interaction;
     Improving cultural and linguistic competency; and/or
     Improving coordination and utilization of research and 
outcome evaluations.
    The outcomes of these projects will be used to develop other 
national efforts to address health disparities among racial and ethnic 
minority populations.

4. Project Requirements

    Each applicant under the Community Partnership Program must:
     Implement the project using a collaborative partnership 
arrangement of community-based organizations that will coordinate 
outreach, screening and education efforts and provide referrals and 
follow-up for treatment. The partnership must have the capacity to:
     Plan and coordinate services which reduce existing 
sociocultural and/or linguistic barriers to health care; and
     Carry out screening, outreach, education, and enabling 
services to ensure that clients follow-up with treatment and treatment 
referrals.
     Identify problems such as gaps in services or issues, such 
as access to health care, affecting the targeted health area to be 
addressed by the proposed project.
     Identify existing resources in the targeted health area 
which will be linked to the proposed project.
     Ensure that health promotion and education outreach 
activities are linguistically, culturally and age appropriate.
     Identify 3 of the 5 anticipated applicant project results 
for the project (listed above).
     Address at least 1, but no more than 3 of the identified 
health areas (see Section 5 below).

5. Health Areas to be Addressed

    The activities and interventions implemented under Community 
Partnerships Program may target the racial and ethnic disparities in 1 
but no more than 3 of the following ten (10) health areas:
     Asthma (among children and adolescents aged 1 to 19)
     Cancer
     Diabetes
     Heart Disease & Stroke
     Hepatitis B
     HIV
     Immunization (adult and child)
     Infant Mortality
     Mental Health
     Obesity & Overweight (among children and adolescents aged 
1 to 19)

Section II. Award Information

    Estimated Funds Available for Competition: $5,850,000 in FY 2007 
(Grant awards are subject to the availability of funds.)
    Anticipated Number of Awards: 23-29.
    Range of Awards: $200,000 to $250,000 per year.
    Anticipated Start Date: September 1, 2007.
    Period of Performance: 3 Years (September 1, 2007 to August 31, 
2010).
    Budget Period Length: 12 months.
    Type of Award: Grant.
    Type of Application Accepted: New, Competing Continuation.

Section III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

    To qualify for funding, an applicant must:
     Be a private nonprofit, community-based, minority-serving 
organization which addresses health or human services (see 
definitions); or be a public (local or tribal government) community-
based organization which addresses health or human services; and
     Represent a collaborative partnership, consisting of at 
least three discrete organizations, that includes:

--A community-based, minority-serving organization (applicant);
--A health care facility (e.g., community health center, migrant health 
center, health department or medical center); and
--Another community entity (e.g., social service agency, business 
entity, educational institution, or civic association).

    The partnership must be documented through a single signed 
Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the community-based minority 
serving organization (applicant), the health care facility and the 
other community entity. Each member of the partnership must have a 
specific, significant role in conducting the proposed project. The MOA 
must specify in detail the roles and resources that each entity will 
bring to the project, and the terms of the agreement. The MOA must 
cover the entire project period. The MOA must be signed by individuals 
with the authority to obligate the organization (e.g.,

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president, chief executive officer, executive director).
    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 organizations.
     Local affiliates of national, state-wide, or regional 
organizations.
    National, state-wide, and regional organizations may not apply for 
these grants. As the focus of the program is at the local, grassroots 
level, OMH is looking for entities that have ties to the local 
community. National, state-wide, and regional organizations operate on 
a broader scale and are not as likely to effectively access the 
targeted minority population in the specific, local neighborhood and 
communities.
    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 Community Partnerships 
Program.

3. Other

    Organizations applying for funds under the Community Partnerships 
Program must submit documentation of nonprofit status with their 
applications. If documentation is not provided, the application will be 
considered non-responsive and will not be entered into the review 
process. The organization will be notified that the application did not 
meet the submission requirements.
    Any of the following serves as acceptable proof of nonprofit 
status:
     A reference to the applicant organization's listing in the 
Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) most recent list of tax-exempt 
organizations described in section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code.
     A copy of a currently valid IRS tax exemption certificate.
     A statement from a State taxing body, State Attorney 
General, or other appropriate State official certifying that the 
applicant organization has a nonprofit status and that none of the net 
earnings accrue to any private shareholders or individuals.
     A certified copy of the organization's certificate of 
incorporation or similar document that clearly establishes nonprofit 
status.
    For local, nonprofit affiliates of state or national organizations, 
a statement signed by the parent organization indicating that the 
applicant organization is a local nonprofit affiliate must be provided 
in addition to any one of the above acceptable proof of nonprofit 
status.
    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.
    An organization may submit no more than one application to the 
Community Partnerships Program. Organizations submitting more than one 
proposal for this grant program will be deemed ineligible. The multiple 
proposals from the same organization 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 Kit

    Application kits for the Community Partnerships to Eliminate Health 
Disparities Demonstration Grant Program may be obtained by accessing 
Grants.gov at http://www.grants.gov or the GrantSolutions system at 
http://www.grantsolutions.gov. To obtain a hard copy of the application 
kit for this grant program, contact WilDon Solutions at 1-888-203-6161. 
Applicants may also fax a written request to WilDon Solutions at (703) 
351-1138 or e-mail the request to [email protected]. 
Applications must be prepared using Form OPHS-1, which can be obtained 
at the Web sites noted above.

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 and appendices) is limited to 75 pages double-spaced. For those 
organizations that previously received funding under the OMH-supported 
Community Programs to Improve Minority Health, in addition to the 
project narrative, you must attach a report on that program and its 
results. This report is limited to 15 pages double-spaced, which do not 
count against the project narrative page limitation.
    The narrative description of the project must contain the 
following, in the order presented:
     Table of Contents.
     Project Summary (Overview): Briefly describe key aspects 
of the Background, Objectives, Program Plan, and Evaluation Plan. The 
summary is limited to 3 pages.
     Program Narrative
     Background:

--Statement of Need: Identify which of the health issue areas (up to 3) 
are being addressed. Describe and document, with data, demographic 
information on the targeted local geographic area, and the significance 
or prevalence of health problem(s) or issue(s) affecting the local 
target minority group(s). Describe the local minority group(s) targeted 
by the project (e.g., race/ethnicity, age, gender, educational level/
income).
--Experience: Describe the applicant organization's background, and the 
background/experience of all coalition member organizations. Provide a 
rationale for inclusion of the coalition member organizations in the 
project. Describe any similar projects implemented to work with the 
targeted population and the results of those projects. (For those 
institutions that previously received funding under the OMH-supported 
Community Programs to Improve Minority Health, you must attach a report 
on that specific project and its results.)
--Discuss the applicant organization's experience in managing projects/
activities, especially those targeting the population to be served. 
Indicate where the project will be located within the applicant 
organization's structure and the reporting channels. Provide a chart of 
the proposed project's organizational structure, showing who will 
report to whom. Describe how the partner organizations will interface 
with the applicant organization.

     Objectives: Provide objectives stated in measurable terms 
including baseline data, improvement targets, and time frames for 
achievement for the three-year project period. Explain how the state 
objectives relate to the expected results of the project
      Program Plan: Provide a plan which clearly describes how 
the project

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will be carried out. Describe specific activities and strategies 
planned to achieve each objective. For each activity, describe how, 
when, where, by whom, and for whom the activity will be conducted. 
Include the role of each coalition member organization. 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 time line for 
each year of the three-year project period.
      Evaluation Plan: Delineate how program activities will be 
evaluated. The evaluation plan must clearly articulate how the project 
will be evaluated to determine if the intended results have been 
achieved. The evaluation plan must describe, for all funded activities:

--Intended results (i.e., impacts and outcomes);
--how impacts and outcomes will be measured (i.e. what indicators or 
measures will be used to monitor and measure progress toward achieving 
project results);
--methods for collecting and analyzing data on measures;
--evaluation methods that will be used to assess impacts and outcomes;
--evaluation expertise that will be available for this purpose;
--how results are expected to contribute to the objectives of the 
Program as a whole, and Healthy People 2010 goals and objectives; and
--the potential for replicating the evaluation methods for similar 
efforts.

    Discuss plans and describe the vehicle (e.g., manual, CD) that will 
be used to document the steps which others may follow to replicate the 
proposed project in similar communities. Describe plans for 
disseminating project results to other communities.
      Appendices: Include MOAs and other relevant information 
in this section.
    If required, attach a report on the project and outcomes supported 
under the Community Programs to Improve Minority Health (does not count 
against page limitation).
    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 request must include funds for 
key project staff to attend an annual OMH grantee meeting. (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

    To be considered for review, applications must be received by the 
Office of Public Health and Science, Office of Grants Management, c/o 
WilDon Solutions, by 5 p.m. Eastern Time on July 11, 2007. Applications 
will be considered as meeting the deadline if they are received on or 
before the deadline date. The application due date requirement in this 
announcement supercedes the instructions in the OPHS-1 form.
Submission Mechanisms
    The Office of Public Health and Science (OPHS) provides multiple 
mechanisms for the submission of applications, as described in the 
following sections. Applicants will receive notification via mail from 
the OPHS Office of Grants Management confirming the receipt of 
applications submitted using any of these mechanisms. Applications 
submitted to the OPHS Office of Grants Management after the deadlines 
described below will not be accepted for review. Applications which do 
not conform to the requirements of the grant announcement will not be 
accepted for review and will be returned to the applicant.
    While applications are accepted in hard copy, the use of the 
electronic application submission capabilities provided by the 
Grants.gov and GrantSolutions.gov systems is encouraged. Applications 
may only be submitted electronically via the electronic submission 
mechanisms specified below. Any applications submitted via any other 
means of electronic communication, including facsimile or electronic 
mail, will not be accepted for review.
    In order to apply for new funding opportunities which are open to 
the public for competition, you may access the Grants.gov Web site 
portal. All OPHS funding opportunities and application kits are made 
available on Grants.gov. If your organization has/had a grantee 
business relationship with a grant program serviced by the OPHS Office 
of Grants Management, and you are applying as part of ongoing grantee 
related activities, please access GrantSolutions.gov.
    Electronic grant application submissions must be submitted no later 
than 5 p.m. Eastern Time on the deadline date specified in the DATES 
section of the announcement using one of the electronic submission 
mechanisms specified below. All required hardcopy original signatures 
and mail-in items must be received by the OPHS Office of Grants 
Management, c/o WilDon Solutions, no later than 5 p.m. Eastern Time on 
the next business day after the deadline date specified in the DATES 
section of the announcement.
    Applications will not be considered valid until all electronic 
application components, hardcopy original signatures, and mail-in items 
are received by the OPHS Office of Grants Management according to the 
deadlines specified above. Application submissions that do not adhere 
to the due date requirements will be considered late and will be deemed 
ineligible. Applicants are encouraged to initiate electronic 
applications early in the application development process, and to 
submit early on the due date or before. This will aid in addressing any 
problems with submissions prior to the application deadline.
Electronic Submissions via the Grants.gov Web site Portal
    The Grants.gov Web site Portal provides organizations with the 
ability to submit applications for OPHS grant opportunities. 
Organizations must successfully complete the necessary registration 
processes in order to submit an application. Information about this 
system is available on the Grants.gov Web site, http://www.grants.gov.
    In addition to electronically submitted materials, applicants may 
be required to submit hard copy signatures for certain Program related 
forms, or original materials as required by the announcement. It is 
imperative that the applicant review both the grant announcement, as 
well as the application guidance provided within the Grants.gov 
application package, to determine such requirements. Any required hard 
copy materials, or documents that require a signature, must be 
submitted separately via mail to the OPHS Office of Grants Management, 
c/o WilDon Solutions, and if required, must contain the original 
signature of an individual authorized to act for the applicant agency 
and the obligations imposed by the terms and conditions of the grant 
award. When submitting the

[[Page 32106]]

required forms, do not send the entire application. Complete hard copy 
applications submitted after the electronic submission will not be 
considered for review.
    Electronic applications submitted via the Grants.gov Web site 
Portal must contain all completed online forms required by the 
application kit, the Program Narrative, Budget Narrative and any 
appendices or exhibits. All required mail-in items must received by the 
due date requirements specified above. Mail-In items may only include 
publications, resumes, or organizational documentation. When submitting 
the required forms, do not send the entire application. Complete hard 
copy applications submitted after the electronic submission will not be 
considered for review.
    Upon completion of a successful electronic application submission 
via the Grants.gov Web site Portal, the applicant will be provided with 
a confirmation page from Grants.gov indicating the date and time 
(Eastern Time) of the electronic application submission, as well as the 
Grants.gov Receipt Number. It is critical that the applicant print and 
retain this confirmation for their records, as well as a copy of the 
entire application package.
    All applications submitted via the Grants.gov Web site Portal will 
be validated by Grants.gov. Any applications deemed ``Invalid'' by the 
Grants.gov Web site Portal will not be transferred to the 
GrantSolutions system, and OPHS has no responsibility for any 
application that is not validated and transferred to OPHS from the 
Grants.gov Web site Portal. Grants.gov will notify the applicant 
regarding the application validation status. Once the application is 
successfully validated by the Grants.gov Web site Portal, applicants 
should immediately mail all required hard copy materials to the OPHS 
Office of Grants Management, c/o WilDon Solutions, to be received by 
the deadlines specified above. It is critical that the applicant 
clearly identify the Organization name and Grants.gov Application 
Receipt Number on all hard copy materials.
    Once the application is validated by Grants.gov, it will be 
electronically transferred to the GrantSolutions system for processing. 
Upon receipt of both the electronic application from the Grants.gov Web 
site Portal, and the required hardcopy mail-in items, applicants will 
receive notification via mail from the OPHS Office of Grants Management 
confirming the receipt of the application submitted using the 
Grants.gov Web site Portal.
    Applicants should contact Grants.gov regarding any questions or 
concerns regarding the electronic application process conducted through 
the Grants.gov Web site Portal.
Electronic Submissions via the GrantSolutions System
    OPHS is a managing partner of the GrantSolutions.gov system. 
GrantSolutions is a full life-cycle grants management system managed by 
the Administration for Children and Families, Department of Health and 
Human Services (HHS), and is designated by the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) as one of the three Government-wide grants management 
systems under the Grants Management Line of Business initiative 
(GMLoB). OPHS uses GrantSolutions for the electronic processing of all 
grant applications, as well as the electronic management of its entire 
Grant portfolio.
    When submitting applications via the GrantSolutions system, 
applicants are required to submit a hard copy of the application face 
page (Standard Form 424) with the original signature of an individual 
authorized to act for the applicant agency and assume the obligations 
imposed by the terms and conditions of the grant award. If required, 
applicants will also need to submit a hard copy of the Standard Form 
LLL and/or certain Program related forms (e.g., Program Certifications) 
with the original signature of an individual authorized to act for the 
applicant agency. When submitting the required forms, do not send the 
entire application. Complete hard copy applications submitted after the 
electronic submission will not be considered for review.
    Electronic applications submitted via the GrantSolutions system 
must contain all completed online forms required by the application 
kit, the Program Narrative, Budget Narrative and any appendices or 
exhibits. The applicant may identify specific mail-in items to be sent 
to the Office of Grants Management separate from the electronic 
submission; however these mail-in items must be entered on the 
GrantSolutions Application Checklist at the time of electronic 
submission, and must be received by the due date requirements specified 
above. Mail-In items may only include publications, resumes, or 
organizational documentation. When submitting the required forms, do 
not send the entire application. Complete hard copy applications 
submitted after the electronic submission will not be considered for 
review.
    Upon completion of a successful electronic application submission, 
the GrantSolutions system will provide the applicant with a 
confirmation page indicating the date and time (Eastern Time) of the 
electronic application submission. This confirmation page will also 
provide a listing of all items that constitute the final application 
submission including all electronic application components, required 
hardcopy original signatures, and mail-in items, as well as the mailing 
address of the OPHS Office of Grants Management where all required hard 
copy materials must be submitted.
    As items are received by the OPHS Office of Grants Management, the 
electronic application status will be updated to reflect the receipt of 
mail-in items. It is recommended that the applicant monitor the status 
of their application in the GrantSolutions system to ensure that all 
signatures and mail-in items are received.
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 
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. Mailed or hand-delivered applications 
will be considered as meeting the deadline if they are received by the 
OPHS Office of Grant Management, c/o WilDon Solutions, on or before 5 
p.m. Eastern Time on the deadline date specified in the DATES section 
of the announcement. 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.

4. Intergovernmental Review

    The Community Partnerships Program is subject to requirements of 
Executive Order 12372 which allows States the options of setting up a 
system for reviewing applications from within their States for 
assistance under certain Federal programs. The application kits 
available under this notice will contain a list of States which have 
chosen to set up a review system and will include a State Single Point 
of Contact (SPOC) in the State for review. The SPOC list is also 
available on the Internet at the following address: http://

[[Page 32107]]

www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html. Applicants (other than 
federally recognized Indian tribes) should contact their SPOC as early 
as possible to alert them to the prospective applications and receive 
any necessary instructions on the State process. The due date for State 
process recommendations is 60 days after the application deadlines 
established by the OPHS Grants Management Officer. The OMH does not 
guarantee that it will accommodate or explain its responses to State 
process recommendations 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 Community Partnerships 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 (including screening and outreach supplies).
     Grant-related travel (domestic only), including attendance 
at an annual OMH grantee meeting.
     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 Community Partnerships Program 
applications will consider the following four generic factors listed, 
in descending order of weight.
A. Factor 1: Program Plan (40%)
--Appropriateness and merit of proposed approach and specific 
activities for each objective.
--Logic and sequencing of the planned approaches as they relate to the 
statement of need and to the objectives.
--Soundness of the established coalition and member roles in the 
program.
--Qualifications and appropriateness of proposed staff or requirements 
for ``to be hired'' staff and consultants.
--Proposed staff level of effort.
--Appropriateness of defined roles including staff reporting channels 
and that of any proposed consultants.
B. Factor 2: Evaluation Plan (25%)
--The degree to which intended results are appropriate for the 
objectives of the Community Partnerships Program overall, stated 
objectives of the proposed project and proposed activities.
--Appropriateness of the proposed methods for data collection 
(including demographic data to be collected on project participants), 
analysis and reporting.
--Suitability of process, outcome, and impact measures.
--Clarity 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) relative to the health areas addressed.
--Soundness of the plan to document the project for replicability in 
similar communities.
--Soundness of the plan to disseminate project results.
C. Factor 3: Background (20%)
--Demonstrated knowledge of the problem at the local level.
--Significance and prevalence of targeted health issues in the proposed 
community and target population(s).
--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.
--Applicant's capability to manage and evaluate the project as 
determined by:
      The applicant organization's experience in managing 
project/activities involving the target population.
      The applicant's organizational structure and proposed 
project organizational structure.
      Clear lines of authority among and between coalition 
member organizations.
--If applicable, the extent and documented outcome(s) of activities 
conducted under the OMH-supported Community Programs to Improve 
Minority Health included in the required progress report.
D. Factor 4: Objectives (15%)
--Merit of the objectives.
--Relevance to Healthy People 2010 and National Partnership for Action 
objectives.
--Relevance to the Community Partnerships Program purpose and 
expectations, and to the stated problem 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 Community Partnerships 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 and ethnic 
minority populations in the United States. Funding decisions will be 
determined by the Deputy Assistant

[[Page 32108]]

Secretary for Minority Health who will take under consideration:
     The recommendations and ratings of the ORC.
     Geographic distribution of applicants.
     A balanced distribution of populations to be served.
     The health areas addressed.

3. Anticipated Award Date

    September 1, 2007.

Section VI. Award Administration Information

1. Award Notices

    Successful applicants 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

    A 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 exception 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 to all new grantees on the use of the UDS system during the 
annual grantee meeting.
    Grantees 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 be 
provided prior to required submission.

Section VII. Agency Contacts

    For application kits, submission of applications, and information 
on budget and business aspects of the application, please contact: 
WilDon Solutions, Office of Grants Management Operations Center, 1515 
Wilson Blvd., Third Floor Suite 310, Arlington, VA 22209 at 1-888-203-
6161, e-mail [email protected], or fax 703-351-1138.
    For questions related to the Community Programs to Improve Minority 
Health or assistance in preparing a grant proposal, contact Ms. 
Sonsiere Cobb-Souza, Acting Director, Division of Program Operations, 
Office of Minority Health, Tower Building, Suite 600, 1101 Wootton 
Parkway, Rockville, MD 20852. Ms. Cobb-Souza 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. Background Information

    Many aspects of health in the U.S. have improved; however, 
significant racial and ethnic disparities remain. The prevalence of 
overweight in 2003-04 was significantly higher among Hispanic and Black 
children than white children, and approximately 45 percent of Black and 
37 percent of Hispanic adults were obese compared to 30 percent of 
whites.\3\ American Indians/Alaska Natives are 2.2 times as likely to 
have diabetes than whites, and Blacks are 1.8 times as likely to have 
the disease.\4\ The rates of hepatitis B have declined among all racial 
ethnic groups; however, rates were highest among non-Hispanic Blacks in 
2004.\5\ According to data from the CDC, 50 percent of adults and 
adolescents diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in 2004 were Black (13 percent of 
population), 18 percent were Hispanic (12.5 percent of population), and 
1 percent were American Indian/Alaska Native (.7 percent of 
population). In 2005, 18.1 percent of Native American/Alaska Natives 
reported frequent mental distress (14 or more mentally unhealthy days) 
compared to 9.6 percent of whites.\6\ Higher percentages of Blacks 
(11.8) and Hispanics (10.2) also reported frequent mental distress than 
whites. American Indians/Alaska Natives also had the highest prevalence 
of asthma in 2002, when 11.6 percent of that population reported having 
asthma compared to 7.6 percent of whites.\7\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ 2004 Fact Sheet--Obesity Still a Major Problem, New Data 
Show, NCHS, Hyattsville, MD 2006.
    \4\ American Diabetes Association, Web site, November 27, 2006 
http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-statistics/prevalance.jsp.
    \5\ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Hepatitis 
Surveillance Report No. 61. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health 
and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 
2006.
    \6\ Health Related Quality of Life Survey, CDC, National Center 
for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, 2006.
    \7\ Asthma Prevalence and Control Characteristics by Race/
Ethnicity--United States, 2002, MMWR Weekly, February 27, 2004, CDC.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In 2002, American Indian/Alaska Native women had the lowest cancer 
incidence rate, yet the third highest cancer death rate. Breast cancer 
was the leading cause of cancer death among Hispanic women. Black men 
and women had the highest cancer death rates for all cancers among all 
races.\8\ Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women 
in the U.S.; the 2002 age-adjusted death rates for diseases of the 
heart were 30 percent higher among Blacks than whites. The mortality 
rates for infants of Black (13.6), American Indian/Alaska Native (8.7), 
and Puerto Rican (8.2) mothers all exceeded the rate for infants of 
white mothers (5.7) in 2003.\9\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \8\ United States Cancer Statistics: 1999-2002 Incidence and 
Mortality Web-based Report, U.S. Cancer Statistics Working Group, 
CDC and Naitonal Cancer Institute, Atlanta, GA 2005.
    \9\ Health United States, 2006.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. 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

[[Page 32109]]

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 for 
printed version; $20 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.

3. Definitions

    For purposes of this announcement, the following definitions apply:
    Community-Based Organizations--Private, nonprofit organizations and 
public organizations (local or tribal governments) that are 
representative of communities or significant segments of communities 
where the control and decisionmaking powers are located at the 
community level.
    Community-Based Minority-Serving Organization--A community-based 
organization that has a demonstrated expertise and experience in 
serving racial/ethnic minority populations (See definition of Minority 
Populations below.)
    Community Partnership--At least 3 discrete organizations and 
institutions in a given community which work together on specific 
community concerns, and seek resolution of those concerns through 
formalized relationship documented by written memoranda of 
understanding/agreement signed by individuals with the authority to 
obligate the organizations (e.g., chief executive officer, executive 
director, president/chancellor) is required.
    Health Care Facility--A private nonprofit or public facility that 
has an established record for providing comprehensive health care 
services to a targeted, racial/ethnic minority community.
    A health care facility may be a hospital, outpatient medical 
facility, community health center, migrant health center, or a mental 
health center. Facilities providing only screening and referral 
activities are not included in this definition.
    Intervention--A combination of services designed to alter or modify 
a condition or outcome, or to change behavior to reduce the likelihood 
of a preventable health problem occurring or progressing further. 
Services include:
     Clinical prevention services (e.g., blood pressure 
screening);
     information dissemination;
     environmental modifications;
     educational activities; and
     coordinated networking activities among health and human 
service related programs (e.g., referral for child care services, job 
placement, literacy programs).
    Memorandum of Agreement (MOA)--A single document signed by 
authorized representatives of each community partnership member 
organization which details the roles and resources each entity will 
provide for the project and the terms of the agreement (must cover the 
entire project period).
    Minority Populations--American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, 
Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, and 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. (See III, 3. Other, for acceptable evidence of 
nonprofit status.)
    Sociocultural Barriers--Policies, practices, behaviors and beliefs 
that create obstacles to health care access and service delivery. 
Examples of sociocultural barriers include:
     Cultural differences between individuals and institutions.
     Cultural differences of beliefs about health and illness.
     Customs and lifestyles.
     Cultural differences in languages or nonverbal 
communication styles.

    Dated: June 5, 2007.
Garth N. Graham,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Minority Health.
[FR Doc. 07-2894 Filed 6-08-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4150-29-P