[Federal Register: June 25, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 122)]
[Notices]               
[Page 42785-42788]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr25jn02-61]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Office of the Secretary

 
Availability of Funds for Grants for the State and Territorial 
Minority HIV/AIDS 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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SUMMARY: The purposes of this Fiscal Year (FY) 2002 State and 
Territorial Minority HIV/AIDS Demonstration Program are to:
    1. Assist in the identification of needs within the state for HIV/
AIDS prevention and services among minority populations (see definition 
of Minority Populations) by collection, analysis, and/or tracking of 
existing data on surveillance and existing providers of HIV services 
for minority communities;
    2. Facilitate the linkage of community-based minority-serving 
organizations with other state and local recipients of federal funds 
for HIV/AIDS to develop greater resource capacity and interventions in 
the identified areas of need; and
    3. Assist in coordinating Federal resources coming into high need, 
minority communities including identifying the different programs and 
facilitating access to federal technical assistance available to 
community-based minority-serving organizations.

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

    This program is intended to demonstrate that the involvement of 
state and territorial offices of minority health in coordinating a 
statewide response to the HIV/AIDS crisis in minority communities can 
have a greater impact on the communities' understanding of the disease, 
and the coordination of prevention and treatment services for minority 
populations, than agencies/organizations working independently.
    Project outcomes must include any or all of the following:
     Reduction in high-risk behaviors by increasing the 
capacity of community-based minority-serving organizations to work 
directly with 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 capacity of states to identify gaps in resources 
in areas of need to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
     Increased capacity of community-based minority-serving 
organizations to identify, apply for, and receive funding for support 
of activities to address identified gaps.
     Increased counseling and testing services by increasing 
the capacity of community-based minority-serving organizations to work 
directly with 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).

ADDRESSES: For this grant, applicants must use form PHS 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

[[Page 42786]]

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 OMH Regional Minority Health 
Consultants listed in the grant application kit. For health 
information, call the OMH Resource Center at 1-800-444-6472.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: OMB Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance: 
The OMB Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number for this program 
is 93.006.
    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 service demonstration programs 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) 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: Eligibility is limited to state and 
territorial\1\ offices of minority health or, for those states and/or 
territories that do not have an established office of minority health, 
a state or territorial minority health entity located within a state or 
territorial department of health which functions in the capacity of an 
office of minority health. (See definitions in this announcement.)
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    \1\ Includes all 50 states, the District of Columbia, American 
Samoa, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Marshall Islands, 
Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, Republic of Palau, and the 
Virgin Islands.
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    Documentation to verify official status as a state or territorial 
office of minority health or as a state or territorial minority health 
entity must be submitted.
    A letter of support and commitment to the proposed demonstration 
project from an authorizing official such as the state or territorial 
Commissioner of Health is also required as part of the application. For 
the purposes of this announcement, both the established state and 
territorial offices of minority health and any recognized state and/or 
territorial minority health entity will be referred to as a state or 
territorial office of minority health. Each state and territory may 
submit only one proposal under this announcement.

Background

    The Office of Minority Health's (OMH) mission is to improve the 
health of racial and ethnic minority populations (see definition of 
Minority Populations) through the development of health policies and 
programs that help to eliminate health disparities and gaps. OMH serves 
as the focal point within the Department of Health and Human Services 
for service demonstrations, coalition and partnership building, and 
related efforts to address the health needs of racial and ethnic 
minorities. In keeping with this mission, OMH established the State and 
Territorial Minority HIV/AIDS Demonstration Program in FY 1999 to 
assist in addressing HIV/AIDS issues facing minority communities across 
the United States. This program is based on the premise that a broad, 
state-level approach to HIV/AIDS health care promotion and prevention 
can be effective in reaching minority populations by both defining 
existing needs of prevention and treatment, and supporting strategies 
to address those needs. It is anticipated that this approach will 
strengthen existing state activities in addressing this health issue by 
facilitating infrastructure development or expansion of state or 
territorial offices of minority health to: (1) Take a lead role in 
identifying major areas of need in minority communities; (2) link 
community-based minority-serving organizations with other state and 
local partners in the identified areas of need; and (3) assist in 
coordinating federal resources coming into high need, minority 
communities including identifying the different programs and 
facilitating access to federal technical assistance available to 
community-based minority-serving organizations.

Effect of HIV/AIDS on Minorities

    The Census 2000 Brief \2\ reports the U.S. population as 281.4 
million, with 36.4 million\3\ 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.
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    \2\ U.S. Census Bureau, The Black Population: 2000--Census 2000 
Brief, August 2001.
    \3\ This number includes individuals who self-reported as Black, 
or as Black and one or more other race on the Census 2000 
questionnaire.
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    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.\4\, of whom 38 percent were Black or African American, and 18 
percent were Hispanic.
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    \4\ 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 applicant to this demonstration grant program must:

[[Page 42787]]

    1. Address the three purposes of the program announcement:
      Assist in the identification of needs within the state 
for HIV/AIDS prevention and services for minority populations by 
collection, analysis, and/or tracking of existing data on surveillance 
and existing providers of HIV services for minority communities;
      Facilitate the linkage of community-based minority-
serving organizations with other state and local recipients of federal 
funds for HIV/AIDS to develop greater resource capacity and 
interventions in the identified areas of need; and
      Assist in coordinating federal resources coming into high 
need, minority communities including identifying the different programs 
and facilitating access to federal technical assistance available to 
community-based minority-serving organizations.
    2. Describe plans to establish a project advisory committee to 
assist the applicant in carrying out the activities specified in the 
project. The membership is to be comprised of five to seven individuals 
with the applicant serving as an ex officio member. Committee 
membership must include: a representative from a state office on AIDS 
or state HIV/AIDS coordinator, an HIV/AIDS health care provider, and a 
representative from an AIDS service organization serving a substantial 
number of people of color. Other potential members may include: a 
minority person living with HIV/AIDS, a representative from an HIV/AIDS 
community planning committee or group, an outreach worker/social 
worker, or a consumer/patient advocate.
    Use of Grant 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
     Medical supplies
     Direct services
     Fund raising activities
     Building alterations or renovations
     Construction
    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.
     Accepted applications will be evaluated by an Objective 
Review Committee. Committee members will be chosen for their expertise 
in minority health and 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 plan 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 
community-based minority-serving organizations

Factor 2: Evaluation (20%)

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

Factor 3: Background (15%)

     Demonstrated knowledge of the impact of HIV/AIDS on the 
state and within minority communities
     Appropriateness of the description of the HIV/AIDS problem 
confronting the state and minority communities and the needs to be 
addressed
     Extent and documented outcome of past efforts/activities 
in addressing HIV/AIDS in minority communities (Currently funded State 
and Territorial Minority HIV/AIDS grantees [competing continuation 
applicants] must attach a progress report describing project 
accomplishments and outcomes.)

Factor 4: Objectives (15%)

     Merit of the objectives
     Relevance to the program purpose and the stated problem
     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
    --Composition of proposed advisory committee and defined role
     Appropriateness of defined roles including staff reporting 
channels and that of any proposed contractors

Award Criteria

    Funding decisions will be determined by the Deputy Assistant 
Secretary for Minority Health, 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 part 
74.51-74.52, with the exception of State and local governments to which 
45 CFR part 92, subpart C reporting requirements apply.
    State Reviews: This 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. The application kit 
available under this notice will contain a listing 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. 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 Office of Minority Health's Grants Management Officer. The 
Office of Minority Health does not guarantee that it will accommodate 
or explain its responses to State process recommendations received 
after that date. (See ``Intergovernmental Review of

[[Page 42788]]

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 on the Healthy 
People 2010 objectives may be found on the Healthy People 2010 web 
site: http://www.health.gov/healthypeople. Copies of the Healthy People 
2010: Volumes I and II can be purchased by calling (202) 512-1800 (cost 
$70 for printed version or $19 for CDROM). Another reference is the 
Healthy People 2000 Review--1998-99.
    For 1 free copy of Healthy People 2010, contact NCHS: The National 
Center for Health Statistics, 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.

Definitions

    For purposes of this grant announcement, the following definitions 
are provided:
    AIDS Service Organization (ASO): A health association, support 
agency, or other service actively involved in the prevention and 
treatment of AIDS. (HIV/AIDS Treatment Information Service's Glossary 
of HIV/AIDS-Related Terms, March 1997.)
    Community-Based Organization: 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 Populations below.)
    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.)
    State or Territorial Offices of Minority Health: An entity 
established by an Executive Order, a statute or a state/territorial 
health officer to improve the health of racial and ethnic populations.
    State or Territorial Minority Health Entity: A unit or contact 
located within a state or territorial department of health that 
addresses the health disparities experienced by minority populations.

    Dated: June 20, 2002.
Nathan Stinson, Jr.,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Minority Health.
[FR Doc. 02-15985 Filed 6-24-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4150-29-P