[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 176 (Monday, September 13, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55587-55588]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-22664]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Resources and Services Administration


Family-to-Family Health Information Center Program

AGENCY: Health Resources and Services Administration, HHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) will 
be transferring the Vermont Family-to-Family Health Information Center 
(F2F HIC) grant (H84MC00002) from the Parent to Parent (P2P) of Vermont 
to the Vermont Family Network, Inc. (VFN) in Williston, due to an 
organizational merger involving these entities and to ensure the 
continued provision of health resources, financing, related services, 
and parent-to-parent support for families with children and youth with 
special health care needs (CYSHCN) in the state of Vermont.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: LaQuanta Person, Integrated Services 
Branch, Division of Services for Children with Special Health Needs, 
Maternal and Child Health Bureau, HRSA, 5600 Fishers Lane, Room 18A-18, 
Rockville, MD 20857, via e-mail at [email protected] or call 
301.443.2370.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Former Grantee of Record: Parent to Parent of Vermont.
    Original Grant Period: June 1, 2006 to May 31, 2011.
    Replacement Awardee: Vermont Family Network, Inc.
    Amount of Replacement Award: $95,700 for the remainder of the 
project period.
    Period of Replacement Award: The period of support for the 
replacement award is June 1, 2010 to May 31, 2011.

    Authority:  Section 501(c)(1)(A) of the Social Security Act, as 
amended.


[[Page 55588]]


    CFDA Number: 93.504.
    Justification for the Exception to Competition: The former grantee, 
P2P of Vermont, has relinquished all grants held under the P2P legal 
name due to an organizational merger with VFN. The former grantee has 
requested that HRSA transfer the F2F HIC funds to VFN in order to 
implement and carry out grant activities originally proposed under P2P 
of Vermont grant applications.
    A single-source award was made to VFN because of the organizational 
merger of P2P into VFN and the following program determinations: (1) 
Continuing need for the project; (2) that the time required to obtain 
competition would seriously jeopardize the success of the project and 
put at risk the health of the people being served by the project; (3) 
that there will be no significant change in the scope or objectives 
(including any reduction) of the previously approved project or 
activity; (4) that the replacement recipient is eligible to receive the 
award and its facilities and resources allow for the successful 
performance of the project.
    CYSHCN are defined as ``those children and youth who have or are at 
increased risk for a chronic physical, developmental, behavioral, or 
emotional condition and who also require health and related services of 
a type or amount beyond that required by children generally'' (American 
Academy of Pediatrics, 1998). This is particularly relevant since 2006 
National survey data showed more than 17% of CYSHCN in Vermont had 
problems getting referrals to care. Also, because of changes occurring 
in State services and funding for CYSHCN, many families and providers 
alike need to be kept up to date on these changes so that they can 
access appropriate services. This center is urgently needed to address 
these gaps and disparities in information and services.
    It is critical that VFN continue helping families of CYSHCN gain 
access to information they need to make informed health care decisions, 
be full partners in decisionmaking, and access needed resources/
referrals and financing for those services in the state of Vermont. It 
is also imperative that the center continues to train and support 
health care providers and other professionals in public and private 
agencies who serve Vermont's CYSHCN, helping them better understand the 
needs of children, youth and their families.
    VFN will receive funding through May 31, 2011 to continue the same 
state-wide services as previously outlined in the originally competed 
and approved grant application submitted by the P2P of Vermont. This 
replacement award will maintain Congress' mandate under the 2005 Budget 
Deficit Reduction Act/Family Opportunity Act and the Patient Protection 
and Affordable Care Act (Pub. L. 111-148) that there shall be an F2F 
HIC in all 50 States and the District of Columbia by June 2009. It will 
also ensure that an F2F HIC will be accessible to families and 
professionals to continue providing essential information, referral and 
support services to families with CYSHCN throughout Vermont and in a 
manner which avoids any disruption of services.

    Dated: September 3, 2010.
Mary K. Wakefield,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2010-22664 Filed 9-10-10; 8:45 am]
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