[Federal Register: June 25, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 122)]
[Notices]               
[Page 42781-42785]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr25jn02-60]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Office of the Secretary

 
Availability of Funds for Grants for the Minority Community 
Health Coalition Demonstration Grant Program, HIV/AIDS

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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[[Page 42782]]

SUMMARY: The purpose of this Fiscal Year 2002 Minority Community Health 
Coalition Demonstration Grant Program, HIV/AIDS is to improve health 
status relative to HIV/AIDS, of targeted minority populations (see 
definition of Minority Populations) through health promotion and 
education activities. This program is intended to demonstrate the 
effectiveness of community-based coalitions involving non-traditional 
partners in:
    1. Developing an integrated community-based response to the HIV/
AIDS crisis through community dialogue and interaction;
    2. Addressing sociocultural, linguistic and other barriers to HIV/
AIDS treatment to increase the number of individuals seeking and 
accepting services; and
    3. Developing and conducting HIV/AIDS education and outreach 
efforts for hardly reached populations.

    Authority: This program is authorized under section 1707(e)(1) 
of the Public Health Service Act (PHS), as amended.

    The overall goal is to increase the health status of minority 
populations by increasing the educational understanding of HIV/AIDS, 
and improving access to HIV/AIDS prevention, testing, and treatment 
services.
    Project outcomes must include any or all of the following:
     Reduction in high-risk behaviors (e.g., injection drug 
use, multiple partners, unprotected sex).
     Increased counseling and testing services for hardly 
reached minority populations (e.g., youth, women at risk, men having 
sex with men, homeless persons, injection drug users, mentally ill 
persons, incarcerated persons).
     Improved access to health care for hardly reached minority 
populations (e.g., youth, women at risk, men having sex with men, 
homeless persons, injection drug users, mentally ill persons, 
incarcerated persons).
     Increased number of community-based minority-serving 
organizations (e.g., faith based organizations, sororities, 
fraternities, rotary clubs) directly involved in addressing the HIV/
AIDS epidemic.

ADDRESSES: For this grant, applicants must use Form 5161-1 (Revised 
July 2000 and approved by OMB under Control Number 0348-0043). 
Applicants are advised to pay close attention to the specific program 
guidelines and general instructions provided in the application kit. To 
get an application kit, write to: Ms. Chanee Jackson, OMH Grants 
Management Center, c/o Health Management Resources, Inc., 8401 
Corporate Drive, Suite 400, Landover, MD 20785, e-mail 
grantrequests@healthman.com, fax (301) 429-2315; or call Chanee Jackson 
at (301) 429-2300. Send the original and 2 copies of the complete grant 
application to Ms. Chanee Jackson at the same address.

DATES: To receive consideration, grant applications must be postmarked 
by the OMH Grants Management Center by 5 p.m. EDT on July 25, 2002. 
Applications postmarked after the exact date and time specified for 
receipt will not be accepted. Applications submitted by facsimile 
transmission (FAX) or any other electronic format will not be accepted. 
Applications which do not meet the deadline will be returned to the 
applicant unread.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Karen Campbell, Grants Management 
Officer, for technical assistance on budget and business aspects of the 
application. She may be contacted at the Office of Minority Health, 
Rockwall II Building, Suite 1000, 5515 Security Lane, Rockville, MD 
20852; or by calling (301) 594-0758. For questions on the program and 
assistance in preparing the grant proposal, contact: Ms. Cynthia H. 
Amis, Director, Division of Program Operations, at the same address; or 
by calling (301) 594-0769.
    For additional assistance contact the OMH Regional Minority Health 
Consultants listed in the grant application kit. For health information 
call OMH Resource Center at 1-800-444-6472.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: OMB Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance: 
The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number for this program is 
93.137.
    Availability of Funds: About $2.5 million is expected to be 
available for award in FY 2002. It is expected that 17 to 25 awards 
will be made. Support may be requested for a total project period not 
to exceed 3 years.
    Those applicants funded through the competitive process:
     Are to begin their projects on September 30, 2002.
     Will receive an award up to $150,000 total costs (direct 
and indirect) for a 12-month period.
     Will be able to apply for a noncompeting continuation 
award up to $150,000 (direct and indirect costs) for each of two 
additional years. After year 1, funding will be based on:

--The amount of money available; and
--Success or progress in meeting project objectives.

    Note: For the noncompeting continuation awards, grantees must 
submit continuation applications, written reports, and continue to 
meet the established program guidelines.

    Eligible Applicants: To qualify for funding, an applicant must:
    1. Be a private non-profit community-based, minority-serving 
organization (see definition found in this announcement) which 
addresses health and human services;
    2. Have an established community coalition of at least three 
discrete organizations. The applicant and at least one of the three 
organizations must have significant experience in conducting HIV/AIDS 
education, prevention and outreach activities; and
    3. Be a community-based minority-serving organization and have at 
least five years or more experience in HIV/AIDS. One of the three 
organizations must be an AIDS Service Organization (ASO) with at least 
three years of experience. At least one of the coalition members must 
be an organization rooted in the community but with no experience 
conducting HIV/AIDS programs. The coalition must be documented in 
writing as specified under the project requirements described in this 
announcement.

    Note: Faith-based organizations that meet the above criteria are 
eligible to apply for these Minority Community Health Coalition 
Demonstration Program, HIV/AIDS grants. Tribal organizations and 
local affiliates of national, state-wide, or regional organizations 
that meet the definition of a private non-profit community-based, 
minority-serving organization are also eligible to apply.

    The organization submitting the application will:
     Serve as the lead agency for the project, responsible for 
its implementation and management.
     Serve as the fiscal agent for the federal grant awarded.
    Organizations may not receive a grant from more than one OMH 
program at the same time. However, an organization with an OMH grant 
that ends by 9/29/02 can submit an application under this announcement.

    Note: State, local, and tribal governments may not apply for 
this grant. For-profit hospitals and local school districts are also 
ineligible, although they all can be included in the project as a 
member of the community coalition.

Background

    This program is based on the premise that a community coalition 
approach to health promotion and education activities can be effective 
in reaching minority target populations (see definition of Minority 
Populations)--especially those most at risk or hardly reached.

[[Page 42783]]

    Among the merits of using coalitions is the higher likelihood that:
    1. The intervention will be culturally and linguistically 
competent, credible, and more acceptable to the target population;
    2. The project will address HIV/AIDS within the context of related 
socio-economic issues; and
    3. The effort will contribute to overall community empowerment by 
strengthening indigenous leadership and organizations.
    The OMH is continuing, through this announcement, to promote the 
utilization of community coalitions to develop and implement health 
promotion/education activities to specifically focus on HIV/AIDS. The 
OMH is also interested in involving those organizations in the 
coalition that have not traditionally been involved in HIV/AIDS 
prevention activities or services and outreach (e.g., faith-based 
organizations, sororities, fraternities, rotary clubs) so that hardly 
reached populations (e.g., inmates, homeless, women at risk, youth) are 
provided needed services. By including organizations that have not 
traditionally been involved in HIV/AIDS activities, the community 
coalition will expand its network and ability to access and serve these 
hardly reached populations. Applicants are also encouraged to establish 
linkages with other federally funded programs supporting HIV prevention 
and care to maximize these efforts.
    The Census 2000 Brief \1\ reports the U.S. population as 281.4 
million, with 36.4 million \2\ Blacks or African Americans, or 12.9 
percent; 35.3 million Hispanics, or 12.5 percent; approximately 12.8 
million Asians/Native Hawaiians and Other Pacific Islanders, or 4.5 
percent; and approximately 4 million American Indians/Alaska Natives or 
1.5 percent of the total population. HIV/AIDS remains a 
disproportionate threat to minorities. As of December 31, 2000, the 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) received reports of 
774,467 (cumulative) cases of persons with AIDS in the U.S.\3\, of whom 
38 percent were Black or African American, and 18 percent were 
Hispanic.
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    \1\ U.S. Census Bureau, The Black Population: 2000--Census 2000 
Brief, August 2001.
    \2\ This number includes individuals who self-reported as Black, 
or as Black and one or more other race on the Census 2000 
questionnaire.
    \3\ HIV/AIDS Surveillance Report--U.S. HIV and AIDS cases 
reported through December 2000, Year-End Edition, Vol. 12, No. 2.
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    Of the 42,156 AIDS cases reported to CDC during 2000, 41,960 were 
adult/adolescent and 196 were children (<13 years of age). For the 
adult/adolescent population, 47 percent were Black or African American, 
and 19 percent were Hispanic. Of the 196 children reported with AIDS, 
65 percent were Black non-Hispanic, and 17 percent were Hispanic.
    Through December 2000, the most common exposure category reported 
for AIDS cases among African American and Hispanic males was men who 
have sex with men (37% and 42%, respectively), with the second most 
common exposure being injection drug use (34% and 35%, respectively).
    HIV infection among U.S. women has increased significantly over the 
last decade, especially in communities of color. Between 1985 and 1999, 
the proportion of all AIDS cases reported among adult and adolescent 
women more than tripled, from 7 to 23 percent. African American and 
Hispanic women account for more than three-fourths, or 77 percent, of 
the AIDS cases reported among women in the U.S. Through December 2000, 
the most common exposure categories for AIDS cases among African 
American and Hispanic females were heterosexual contact (47%, Hispanic; 
38%, African American) and injection drug use (41%, African American; 
40%, Hispanic). Young African American and Hispanic women accounted for 
more than three-fourths of the HIV infections reported among females 
between the ages of 13 to 24, according to reports to the CDC from the 
32 areas with confidential HIV reporting for adults and adolescents for 
all years combined through 1999.

Project Requirements

    Each project funded under this demonstration grant program must:
    1. Propose to conduct a replicable, model program using an 
integrated community-based response to the HIV/AIDS crisis through 
community dialogue and interaction designed to improve the health 
status of targeted minority populations.
    2. Have an established coalition prior to submission of an 
application that is capable of ensuring that the target population is 
provided with HIV/AIDS health promotion and education outreach 
activities that are linguistically, culturally, and age appropriate 
especially for hardly reached populations.
    3. Engage minority communities in activities that will impact 
attitudes and perceptions in these communities to increase the number 
of individuals seeking and accepting services.
    4. Have a minimum of three discrete organizations in the coalition 
which include:
     A community-based minority-serving organization;
     An AIDS Service Organization (ASO); and
     An organization rooted in the community with no experience 
in HIV/AIDS activities.
    As the applicant, the community-based minority-serving organization 
must have at least five years of documented experience in conducting 
HIV/AIDS education and health promotion activities. The coalition must 
include an ASO with at least three years of documented experience to 
ensure that information dissemination on HIV/AIDS and related issues is 
current and accurate from a medical point of view. The coalition must 
also include at least one organization rooted in the community that has 
not traditionally been involved in HIV/AIDS activities.
    5. A single (1) signed agreement between the community-based 
organization, the AIDS Service Organization and the inexperienced 
organization must be submitted with the application. The agreement must 
specify in detail the roles and resources that each entity will bring 
to the project, and the terms of the linkage. The linkage agreement 
must cover the entire project period. The document must be signed by 
individuals with the authority to represent the organization (e.g., 
president, chief executive officer, executive director).
    Use of Grants Funds: Budgets up to $150,000 total costs (direct and 
indirect) may be requested per year to cover costs of:
     Personnel;
     Consultants;
     Supplies;
     Equipment;
     Grant related travel;
     Other grant related costs.

    Note: All budget requests must be fully justified in terms of 
the proposed purpose, objectives and activities. Funds to attend an 
annual OMH grantee meeting must be included in the budget. Funds may 
not be used for:

     Medical treatment;
     Building alterations or renovations;
     Construction;
     Fund raising activities;
     Job training.

Review of Applications

     Applications will be screened upon receipt. Those that are 
judged to be incomplete, non-responsive, or non-conforming to the 
announcement will not be accepted for review and will be returned.
     Each organization may submit no more than one proposal 
under this announcement.
     Accepted applications will be reviewed for technical merit 
in accordance with PHS policies.

[[Page 42784]]

     Accepted applications will be evaluated by an Objective 
Review Committee. Committee members will be chosen for their 
understanding of the health problems and related issues confronted by 
racial and ethnic minority populations in the United States.
    Application Review Criteria: The technical review of applications 
will consider the following 5 generic factors.

Factor 1: Program Plan (35%)

     Appropriateness of proposed approach and specific 
activities for each objective.
     Logic and sequencing of the planned approaches in relation 
to the objectives and program evaluation.
     Extent to which the applicant demonstrates access to the 
target population.
     Soundness of established linkages.

Factor 2: Evaluation (20%)

     Thoroughness, feasibility and appropriateness of the 
evaluation design, data collection and analysis procedures.
     Potential for proposed plan to impact the HIV/AIDS health 
disparities experienced by minority populations within the target 
communities.
     Clarity of the intent and plans to document the activities 
and their outcomes.
     Potential for replication of the project for similar 
target populations and communities.

Factor 3: Background (15%)

     Demonstrated knowledge of the problem at the local level.
     Demonstrated need within the proposed community and target 
population.
     Demonstrated support of local agencies and/or 
organizations, and established coalition in order to conduct proposed 
model.
     Extent and documented outcome of past efforts/activities 
with the target population. (Currently funded Minority Community Health 
Coalition Demonstration Grant Program, HIV/AIDS grantees [competing 
continuation applicants] must attach a progress report describing 
project accomplishments/outcomes.)

Factor 4: Objectives (15%)

     Merit of the objectives.
     Relevance to the program purpose and stated problems.
     Attainability in the stated time frames.

Factor 5: Management Plan (15%)

     Applicant organization's capability to manage and evaluate 
the project as determined by:

--Qualifications and appropriateness of proposed staff or requirements 
for ``to be hired'' staff
--Proposed staff level of effort
--Management experience of the applicant

     Appropriateness of defined roles including staff reporting 
channels and that of any proposed contractors.
     Experience of each coalition member as it relates to its 
defined roles in the project.
     Clear lines of authority and accountability among the 
proposed staff within and between participating organizations.

Award Criteria

    Funding decisions will be determined by the Deputy Assistant 
Secretary for Minority Health of the OMH and will take under 
consideration:
     The recommendations and ratings of the review panel.
     Geographic and racial/ethnic distribution.

Reporting and Other Requirements

    General Reporting Requirements: A successful applicant under this 
notice will submit: (1) 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 45 CFR 74.51-
74.52, with the exception of State and local governments to which 45 
CFR part 92, subpart C reporting requirements apply.
    Public Health System Reporting Requirements: This program is 
subject to Public Health Systems Reporting Requirements. Under these 
requirements, a community-based non-governmental applicant must prepare 
and submit a Public Health System Impact Statement (PHSIS). The PHSIS 
is intended to provide information to State and local health 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 Stated and local 
health agencies in the area(s) to be impacted: (a) A copy of the face 
page of the application (SF 424), 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 letters forwarding the PHSIS to these 
authorities must be contained in the application materials submitted to 
the Office of Minority Health.
    State Reviews: This program is subject to the requirements of 
Executive Order 12372 which allows State the option of setting up a 
system for reviewing applications from within their States for 
assistance under certain Federal programs. The application kit 
available under this notice will contain a list of States which have 
chosen to setup a review system and will include a State Single Point 
of Contact (SPOC) in the State of review. Applicants (other than 
federally recognized Indian tribes) should contact their SPOCs as early 
as possible to alert them to the prospective applications and receive 
any necessary instructions on the State process. For proposed projects 
serving more than one State, the applicant is advised to contact the 
SPOC of each affected State. The due date for State process 
recommendations is 60 days after the application deadline established 
by the OMH 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).

Healthy People 2010

    The PHS is committed to achieving the health promotion 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.health.gov/healthypeople. 
Copies of the HealthyPeople2010: Volumes I and II can be purchased by 
calling (202) 512-1800 (cost $70.00 for printed version; $19.00 for CD-
ROM). Another reference is the Healthy People 2000 Review 1998-99.
    For one free copy of Healthy People 2010, contact: The National 
Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), Division of Data Services, 6525 
Belcrest Road, Hyattsville, MD 20782-2003, or telephone (301) 458-4636; 
ask for HHS Publication No. (PHS) 99-1256.
    This document may also be downloaded from the NCHS web site http://
www.cdc.gov/nchs.

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Definitions

    For purposes of this grant announcement, the following definitions 
are provided:
    AIDS Service Organization (ASO): A health association, support 
agency, or other service activity involved in the prevention and 
treatment of AIDS. (HIV/AIDS Treatment Information Service's Glossary 
of HIV/AIDS-Related Terms, March 1997.)
    Community-Based 0rganization: A private nonprofit organization that 
is representative of communities or significant segments of 
communities, and 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 Population below.)
    Community Coalition: At least three (3) discrete organizations and 
institutions in a community which collaborate on specific community 
concerns, and seek resolution of those concerns through a formalized 
relationship documented by written memoranda of understanding/ 
agreement signed by individuals with the authority to represent the 
organizations (e.g., president, chief executive officer, executive 
director).
    Cultural Competency: A set of behaviors, attitudes, and policies 
that enable a system, agency, and /or individual to function 
effectively with culturally diverse clients and communities. (Randall-
David, E., 1989)
    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 preventive services (e.g., blood pressure screening)
--Environmental modifications
--Educational activities
--Coordinated networking activities among health and human service 
related programs

    Minority Populations: American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, 
Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, and Native Hawaiian or 
Other Pacific Islander. (Revision to the Standards for the 
Classification of Federal Data on Race and Ethnicity, Federal Register, 
Vol. 62, No. 210, pg. 58782, October 30, 1997.)
    Risk Factor: The environmental and behavioral influences capable of 
causing ill health with or without predisposition.
    Sociocultural Barriers: Policies, practices, behaviors and beliefs 
that create obstacles to health care access and service delivery (e.g., 
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 20, 2002.
Nathan Stinson, Jr.,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Minority Health.
[FR Doc. 02-15984 Filed 6-24-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4150-29-P