[Federal Register: May 21, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 98)]
[Notices]
[Page 27808-27810]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr21my03-41]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
[Program Announcement 03103]
Cooperative Agreement To Enhance Clinical Practices To Prevent
Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities and To Promote Health
Among Women With Disabilities; Notice of Availability of Funds
Application Deadline: June 20, 2003.
A. Authority and Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number
This program is authorized under section 301, 311, and 317C of the
Public Health Service Act, [42 U.S.C. 241, 243, and 247b-4], as
amended. The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number is 93.184.
B. Purpose
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announces the
availability of fiscal year (FY) 2003 funds for a cooperative agreement
program to enhance clinical practices to prevent birth defects and
developmental disabilities and to promote health among women with
disabilities. This program addresses the ``Healthy People 2010'' focus
areas of Maternal, Infant and Child Health and Disability and Secondary
Conditions.
The purpose of this program is to prevent birth defects and
developmental disabilities and to improve access to preventive and
health promotion obstetric/gynecologic services to women with
disabilities through: (1) Understanding the current knowledge, skills,
attitudes and practices among obstetricians/gynecologists and their
clients related to the prevention of birth defects/developmental
disabilities and to provision of services to women with disabilities;
(2) Identifying the information and training needs of obstetricians/
gynecologists in these areas; (3) Developing information,
communication, education, and training programs to meet those needs;
and, (4) Providing targeted training, education, and information to
obstetricians/gynecologists for more effective practice.
Measurable outcomes of the program will be in alignment with one or
more of the following performance goals for the National Center on
Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities: Prevent birth defects and
developmental disabilities and improve the health and quality of life
of American's with disabilities.
Research involving human participants will not be supported under
this cooperative agreement.
C. Eligible Applicants
Assistance will be provided only to applicants that are well
established national, non-profit organizations who are: (1) Involved in
providing health care services for women; (2) who are able to reach out
to and work with, obstetricians/gynecologists to collect information
AND to disseminate information to obstetricians/gynecologists and their
clients; and, (3) who are able to provide them with proper education
and training.
Note: Title 2 of the United States Code Section 1611 states that
an organization described in Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal
Revenue Code that engages in lobbying activities is not eligible to
receive Federal funds constituting an award, grant or loan.
D. Availability of Funds
Approximately $250,000 is available in FY 2003 to fund one award.
It is expected that the award will begin on or about September 1, 2003,
and will be made for a 12-month budget period within a project period
of up to five years. Funding estimates may change.
Continuation awards within an approved project period will be made
on the basis of satisfactory progress as evidenced by required reports
and the availability of funds.
Recipient Financial Participation
Matching funds are not required for this program.
E. Program Requirements
In conducting activities to achieve the purpose of this program,
the recipient will be responsible for the activities under 1.
(Recipient Activities), and CDC will be responsible for the activities
listed under 2. (CDC Activities).
1. Recipient Activities
a. Collect information from obstetricians/gynecologists regarding
their knowledge and application of interventions that have been proven
to prevent birth defects/developmental disabilities, particularly
before conception, such as the use of folic acid to prevent neural tube
defects, abstinence from alcohol during pregnancy to prevent fetal
alcohol syndrome, and the need for newborn screening.
b. Collect information about women's knowledge and use of
interventions that prevent birth defects and developmental
disabilities; in particular the use of folic acid by women whose
infants were born with and died, of neural tube defects.
c. Collect information about obstetricians/gynecologists' ability
to provide services to women with disabilities; in particular: their
training in providing services to women with disabilities; access of
their facilities to women in wheelchairs; appropriateness of the
instruments/machines/technology in their offices for providing services
to women with disabilities (exam tables, mammogram machines, etc).
d. Analyze data, organize and disseminate information collected
from obstetricians/gynecologists and their clients.
e. Use information to design and implement communication, education
and training activities that will promote professional development for
obstetricians/gynecologists in birth defects and developmental
disabilities and improve provider health care practices and prevention
of birth defects.
[[Page 27809]]
f. Evaluate the effectiveness of these programs in enhancing the
ability of obstetricians/gynecologists in providing effective
prevention/health promotion services.
g. Collaborate with organizations such as the American Academy of
Pediatrics, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, March
of Dimes, American College of Nurse Midwives and others that could
provide professional development activities and assist in the
dissemination of information on birth defects and health promotion for
women with disabilities.
h. Convene selected panels of experts to assist in identifying the
knowledge and practices in the areas related to birth defects and
developmental disabilities, and to provide expert opinions and advice
on needed research services and education.
i. Disseminate information on prevention of birth defects,
developmental disabilities and health promotion for women with
disabilities.
j. Develop and utilize collaborative relationships with State and
local medical societies and health care professionals, in order to
enhance health care providers' understanding of the information and
resources available in the areas relating to birth defects prevention
and health promotion among women with disabilities.
k. Identify research topics that address prevention effectiveness
and development of best practices.
2. CDC Activities
a. Participate in the panel of experts meeting and assist in the
identification of knowledge and practices in the areas related to birth
defects and developmental disabilities, and disability and health.
b. Assist in developing and evaluating projects in health and
disability services.
c. Assist in providing data for targeting or evaluation of various
initiatives carried out through this project.
d. Participate in materials development and evaluation to support
interventions.
e. Assist in the development of forums and critical issues related
to health and disability services.
f. Participate in the development of health care provider training
programs.
g. Participate in planning meetings that identify gaps in services
and research topics on prevention effectiveness.
h. Serve as a resource for sharing regional and/or national
pertinent data.
F. Content
Letter of Intent (LOI)
A LOI is requested for this program. The Program Announcement title
and number must appear in the LOI. The narrative should be no more than
2 pages, double-spaced, printed on one side, with one-inch margins, and
unreduced 12-point font. Your letter of intent will be used to enable
CDC to determine the level of interest in the announcement and plan the
review more efficiently.
Applications
The Program Announcement title and number must appear in the
application. Use the information in the Program Requirements, Other
Requirements, and Evaluation Criteria sections to develop the
application content. The application will be evaluated on the criteria
listed, so it is important to follow them in completing the description
of the program plan. The application narrative should be no more than
25 double-spaced pages, printed on one side, with one-inch margins, and
unreduced font. Applicants should include a Table of Contents (not to
exceed one page) to provide a guide for locating key topics.
1. Understanding of the Project. Briefly identify and describe the
target audience of the project.
2. Objectives. Establish long-range (five year) and short-term (one
year) objectives for programmatic plans. Objectives should be specific,
measurable, time-phased and realistic.
3. Operational Plan. Describe the operation plan for achieving the
objectives. Describe each component or major activity and how it will
be carried out.
4. Evaluation Plan. Discuss the plan for monitoring progress toward
each of the objectives.
5. Program Management. Give the name and qualifications of the
professional personnel who will manage this project.
6. Collaborate with State/Local Health Departments. Describe plans
for coordination with state or local health departments.
7. Budget. Submit a detailed and line item justification that is
consistent with the project purpose and proposed activities.
G. Submission and Deadline
Letter of Intent (LOI) Submission
On or before June 2, 2003, submit the LOI to the Program Officer,
at the address designated for programmatic technical assistance
identified in the ``Where to Obtain Additional Information'' section on
this announcement.
Application Forms
Submit the original and two copies of PHS-5161 (OMB Number 0937-
0189) Forms are available at the following Internet address: http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/forminfo.htm.
If you do not have access to the
internet, or if you have difficulty accessing the forms on-line, you
may contact the CDC Procurement and Grants Office Technical Information
Management Section at telephone number (770) 488-2700. Application
forms can be mailed to you.
Submission Date, Time, and Address
The application must be received by 4 p.m. Eastern Time on June 20,
2003. Submit the application to: Technical Information Management
Section--PA , CDC Procurement and Grants Office, 2920
Brandywine Road, Atlanta, GA 30341-4146.
Applications may not be submitted electronically.
CDC Acknowledgement of Application Receipt
A postcard will be mailed by PGO-TIM, notifying you that CDC has
received your application.
Deadline
Letters of intent and applications shall be considered as meeting
the deadline if they are received before 4 p.m. Eastern Time on the
deadline date. Any applicant who sends their application by the United
States Postal Service or commercial delivery services must ensure that
the carrier will be able to guarantee delivery of the application by
the closing date and time. If an application is received after closing
due to (1) carrier error, when the carrier accepted the package with a
guarantee for delivery by the closing date and time, or (2) significant
weather delays or natural disasters, CDC will upon receipt of proper
documentation, consider the application as having been received by the
deadline.
Any application that does not meet the above criteria will not be
eligible for competition, and will be discarded. The applicant will be
notified of their failure to meet the submission requirements.
H. Evaluation Criteria
Application
Applicants are required to provide measures of effectiveness that
will demonstrate the accomplishment of the various identified
objectives of the cooperative agreement. Measures of effectiveness must
relate to the performance goals stated in the purpose
[[Page 27810]]
section of this announcement. Measures must be objective and
quantitative and must measure the intended outcome. The measures of
effectiveness must be submitted with the application and will be an
element of evaluation.
An independent review group appointed by CDC will evaluate each
application against the following criteria:
1. The adequacy of the operational plans for carrying out the
various initiatives involved in the project. (30 points)
2. The extent to which professional personnel proposed to be
involved in this project are qualified, including evidence of past
achievements appropriate to this project (20 points)
3. The degree to which the proposed objectives are clearly stated,
realistic, time-phased, and related to the purpose of the project. (15
points)
4. The quality and feasibility of the evaluation plan for the
various initiatives involved in the project. (15 points)
5. The extent to which the applicant understands the requirements,
problems, objectives and complexities of the project. (10 points)
6. The extent to which the applicant proposes potentially effective
coordination with state/local health departments. (10 points)
7. Budget and its description. The applicant must provide
justification for budget expenditures as well as appropriateness of
activities proposed in their application. (Not scored)
I. Other Requirements
Technical Reporting Requirements
Provide CDC with original plus two copies of
1. Interim progress report, which will be due on April 22nd of each
budget year. The progress report will serve as your non-competing
continuation application, and must contain the following elements:
a. Current Budget Period Activities Objectives;
b. Current Budget Period Financial Progress;
c. New Budget Period Program Proposed Activity and Objectives;
d. Detailed Line-Item Budget and Justification; and
e. Additional Requested Information.
2. Financial status report, due no more than 90 days after the end
of the budget period (December 30th of each budget year); and
3. Final financial and performance reports, no more than 90 days
after the end of the project period.
Send all reports to the Grants Management Specialist identified in
the ``Where to Obtain Additional Information'' section of this
announcement.
Additional Requirements
The following additional requirements are applicable to this
program. For a complete description of each, see Attachment I of the
announcement, as posted on the CDC web site.
AR-09 Paperwork Reduction Act
AR-10 Smoke-Free Workplace Requirements
AR-11 Healthy People 2010
AR-12 Lobbying Restrictions
AR-14 Accounting System Requirements
AR-15 Proof of Non-Profit Status
Executive Order 12372 does not apply.
J. Where to Obtain Additional Information
This and other CDC announcements can be found on the CDC home page
Internet address--http://www.cdc.gov. Click on ``Funding'' then
``Grants and Cooperative Agreements.''
For general questions about this announcement, contact: Technical
Information Management, CDC Procurement and Grants Office, 2920
Brandywine Road, Atlanta, GA 30341-4146, Telephone: 770-488-2700.
For business management technical assistance, contact: Sheryl
Heard, Grants Management Specialist, Acquisition and Assistance Branch
B., Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, 2920 Brandywine Road, Room 3000, Atlanta, GA 30341-4146.
Telephone number: 770-488-2723. Email: slh3@cdc.gov. For program technical assistance, contact: Hani Atrash, Associate
Director for Program Development, National Center on Birth Defects and
Developmental Disabilities, 4770 Buford Highway, Atlanta, Georgia
30341, Telephone number: 770-488-4943, Email: hka1@cdc.gov.
Dated: May 15, 2003.
Sandra R. Manning,
Director, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 03-12709 Filed 5-20-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P