[Federal Register: May 18, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 96)]
[Notices]
[Page 28133-28141]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr18my04-54]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
[CMS-2189-N]
RIN 0938-ZA46
Medicaid Program; Real Choice Systems Change Grants
Part 1. Overview Information
Funding Opportunity Title: Medicaid Program; Real Choice Systems
Change Grants.
Announcement Type: Notice of funding availability (new
announcement).
Funding Opportunity Number: Not applicable.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) No.: 93.779.
DATES: Deadline for Letter of Intent To Apply: States are encouraged to
submit a notice of intent to apply for a grant no later than June 8,
2004.
Date of Applicant's Teleconference: Information regarding the time
and call-
[[Page 28134]]
in number for an open applicant's teleconference is available on the
CMS Web site at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/newfreedom.
Deadline for Grant Submission: Grant applications are due by July
19, 2004. All grant awards will be made before September 30, 2004. All
grants awarded under this funding opportunity will have a budget period
of 36 months and a start date of no later than October 1, 2004.
Part 2. Full Text of the Announcement
I. Funding Opportunity Description
A. Overview of Funding Opportunity
This notice announces the availability of funding from the Centers
for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for Real Choice Systems Change
Grants. The Conference Report accompanying the Consolidated
Appropriations Act, 2004 (Pub. L. 108-199) contained language
expressing an intent to fund the Real Choice Systems Change Grants at
$40 million. Although the Congress appropriated $40 million in funding
for Real Choice Systems Change activities, the Congress also passed an
across-the-board rescission of .59 percent and a second rescission of
.6864 percent which would reduce the original $40 million to
$39,491,060. Some of these funds will be used for fiscal year (FY) 2004
Aging and Disabilities Resource Centers grants that CMS will fund in
collaboration with the Administration on Aging (AoA). This notice
announces the availability of approximately $31 million in funding for
nine grant opportunities pursuant to the President's Executive Order
13217 ``Community-Based Alternatives for Individuals with
Disabilities'' and authorized under section 1110 of the Social Security
Act (the Act).
The Congress recognized that States face formidable challenges in
their efforts to fulfill their legal responsibilities under the
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). In fiscal years 2001, 2002, and
2003, the Congress appropriated funds for ``Real Choice Systems Change
Grants'' specifically to improve community-integrated services; and CMS
awarded grants totaling approximately $158 million to 49 States, the
District of Columbia, and two territories. With this support, States
are continuing to address issues such as personal assistance services,
direct service worker shortages, transitions from institutions to the
community, respite service for caregivers and family members, and
better transportation options. CMS has an ambitious national technical
assistance strategy to support States' efforts to improve community-
based service systems and enhance employment supports. CMS is also
helping States assist each other by posting a repository of ``Promising
Practices'' on its Web site at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/promisingpractices
and by supporting the dissemination of technical
assistance materials at http://www.hcbs.org.
Real Choice Systems Change Grants are a part of the President's New
Freedom Initiative to eliminate barriers to equality and grant a ``New
Freedom'' to children and adults of all ages who have a disability or
long-term illness so that they may live and prosper in their
communities. They are designed to assist States and others in building
infrastructure that will result in effective and enduring improvements
in long-term support systems. These systemic changes are designed to
enable children and adults of any age who have a disability or long-
term illness to:
Live in the most integrated community setting appropriate
to their individual support requirements and preferences;
Exercise meaningful choices about their living
environment, the providers of services they receive, the types of
supports they use and the manner by which services are provided; and
Obtain quality services in a manner as consistent as
possible with their community living preferences and priorities.
The complete solicitation package for the Real Choice Systems
Change Grants, which includes programmatic, administrative, and
eligibility information needed to apply for these grants is available
at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/newfreedom/2004solicitation.pdf.
B. Description of Grant Opportunities
Following are brief descriptions of the nine grant opportunities
available under this notice. A full description of the programmatic
requirements for each of the funding opportunities under the Real
Choice Systems Change Grants is available in the solicitation package
for these grants at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/newfreedom/2004solicitation.pdf
.
1. Quality Assurance & Quality Improvement System in Home and
Community-Based Services (HCBS)
The purpose of the Quality Assurance & Quality Improvement Systems
in HCBS grant opportunity is to assist States to: (a) Fulfill their
commitment to assure the health and welfare of individuals who
participate in the State's home and community-based waivers under
section 1915(c) of the Social Security Act (the Act); (b) develop
effective methods to meet statutory requirements and CMS expectations
by the use of ongoing quality management strategies; and (c) develop
methods to involve program participants and community members in active
roles in the State quality management activities.
2. Integrating Long Term Supports With Affordable Housing
The purpose of the Long Term Supports coordinated with Affordable
and Accessible Housing grant opportunity is to remove barriers that
prevent Medicaid-eligible individuals with disabilities of all ages
from residing in the community or in the housing arrangement of their
choice. A major barrier to community living for these individuals is
limited access to affordable, accessible, and quality housing that
incorporates long term supports. This grant will assist States to
create the infrastructure to increase the access to and the capacity of
affordable and accessible housing, and to coordinate with supports
funded through State Plan services, waiver services or other service
agencies. It is not the intent of this grant opportunity to fund a
nursing home transition initiative, nor is it intended as a vehicle for
Medicaid to pay for housing costs, except for expenses associated with
the transition of individuals from institutions.
3. Portals from Early Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment
(EPSDT) to Adult Supports
The purpose of the Portals from EPSDT to Adult Supports grant
opportunity is to assist States in addressing the needs of children who
have disabilities who receive community health services through EPDST
and who are re-determined to be eligible for Supplemental Security
Income (SSI)/Medicaid at age 21 (or younger at the discretion of the
State). CMS will assist States in: (a) Developing and implementing a
State Plan amendment, (b) developing a waiver or demonstration
application to provide new supports to this population and implement
enrollment into the waiver or demonstration; or (c) developing a waiver
amendment application to expand either services or slots in the State's
existing targeted disability waiver(s). These projects must evidence
coordination with pertinent transition resources that are provided
through the Social Security Administration (SSA), Department of Labor
(DOL), or the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services
(OSERS).
[[Page 28135]]
4. Comprehensive Systems Reform Effort
The purpose of the Comprehensive Systems Reform Effort grant
opportunity is to assist States to decrease their reliance on
institutional services and increase the level of supports that are
controlled by the individuals that receive them by supporting a
comprehensive planning, designing, and implementation effort to reform
their long term care systems.
5. Mental Health: Systems Transformation
The purpose of the Mental Health: Systems Transformation grant
opportunity is to provide funding to improve the ability of States to
offer evidence-based and recovery-oriented services to consumers with
mental illnesses with support of the Medicaid system. In July 2003, the
President's New Freedom Commission on Mental Health finished its work
and published its final report: Achieving the Promise: Transforming
Mental Health Care in America. This grant opportunity will assist
States in addressing recommendations made in this report to further
align their mental health system with the recovery orientation of
mental health practice.
6. Rebalancing Initiative
The purpose of the Rebalancing Initiative grant opportunity is to
enable States to develop and implement strategies to reform the
financing and service designs of State long-term support systems to
decrease reliance on institutional forms of care and increase the
utilization of community-based long-term supports. These rebalancing
strategies are likely to include systems for increasing access to home
and community based services and transitioning individuals out of
institutions.
7. Living With Independence, Freedom, and Equality (LIFE) Account
Feasibility and Demonstration
The purpose of the LIFE Account Feasibility and Demonstration grant
opportunity is to enable States to conduct studies assessing the
feasibility of developing LIFE Account savings programs. States may
examine the feasibility of establishing and maintaining a program of
individual savings accounts which eligible Medicaid participants can
save money without affecting their eligibility or benefit levels for
the State's Medicaid program, Supplemental Security Income, Social
Security Disability Income, or any Federal assistance program. The LIFE
Account savings program is intended to enable people with a disability
or chronic condition to become more independent, assume increased
responsibilities, and contribute to the communities in which they live.
8. Family-to-Family Health Care Information and Education Centers
The purpose of this grant opportunity is to support the development
of Family-to-Family Health Care Information and Education Centers.
Organizations will use grant funds to establish Statewide family-run
centers that will: (a) Provide education and training opportunities for
families with children with special health care needs; (b) develop and
disseminate needed health care and home and community-based services
(HCBS) information to families and providers; (c) collaborate with
existing Family-to-Family Health Care Information and Education Centers
to benefit children with special health care needs; and (d) promote the
philosophy of individual and family-directed supports.
9. National State-to-State Technical Assistance Program for Community
Living
This national technical assistance grant will support all of the FY
2004 ``Real Choice Systems Change Grants'' efforts for the entire 36-
month project period. CMS expects that the technical assistance Grantee
will engage in activities that include: (a) Providing technical
assistance to the FY 2004 Real Choice Systems Change Grantees, FY 2004
Aging and Disability Resource Center Grantees, and others; (b)
providing on-site State-to-State technical assistance; (c) developing
technical assistance materials; (d) developing or providing expertise
for States and children and adults of any age with a disability or
long-term illness; (e) working with individual States, national
associations of State agencies, consumer organizations, the National
Governors Association, the National Conference of State Legislatures,
and others to collect, refine, and disseminate information that aids in
the effective administration of programs for community living; and (f)
developing, gathering, analyzing, and disseminating relevant practical
information.
II. Award Information
Funding Available
This notice announces the availability of Real Choice Systems
Change funding of approximately $31 million for FY 2004. CMS
anticipates making approximately 46 to 76 grants to States and others
in nine categories. The anticipated number of awards, individual award
amounts, and period of performance are detailed in section VIII of this
notice in the table, ``Table of Real Choice Systems Change Grants--FY
2004.'' In this table, the amounts listed in the ``maximum award'' and
``anticipated average award'' columns refer to the amount available for
the entire project period (that is, up to 36 months) and not an annual
award amount renewable every 12 months.
Grant applications are due on July 19, 2004. All grant awards will
be made before September 30, 2004. All grants awarded under this
funding opportunity will have a budget period of 36 months and a start
date of no later than October 1, 2004. No more than one grant award per
type of grant will be made to any State. A full description of the
eligibility requirements for each of the funding opportunities under
the Real Choice Systems Change Grants is available in the solicitation
package for these grants at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/newfreedom/2004solicitation.pdf
.
III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants
A. States. By ``State'' we refer to the definition provided under
45 CFR 74.2 as ``any of the several States of the United States, the
District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, any territory or
possession of the United States, or any agency or instrumentality of a
State exclusive of local governments.'' By ``territory or possession''
we mean Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
States may and are encouraged to apply for more than one grant
opportunity. For example, a State may apply for a Mental Health:
Systems Transformation and a Rebalancing Initiative grant.
Additionally, different State agencies may apply for different grant
opportunities. For example, the single State Medicaid agency might
apply for the Quality Assurance & Quality Improvement Systems in HCBS
grant and the agency administering a relevant section 1915(c) (of the
Act) waiver might apply for the Portals From EPSDT to Adult Supports
grant. However, no State may be awarded more than one grant per type of
grant opportunity. For example, a State may not receive two Mental
Health Systems Transformation grants, two Rebalancing Initiative
grants, or two Integrating Long Term Supports with Affordable Housing
grants. States may apply for any grant
[[Page 28136]]
except the Family-to-Family Health Care Information and Education
Center grants.
B. State agencies or instrumentalities may apply for funding under
any grant except the Family-to-Family Health Care Information and
Education Centers grants. If an application is from an applicant that
is not the Single State Medicaid Agency, a letter of endorsement from
the Governor, State Medicaid Director, or Agency administering a
relevant section 1915(c) (of the Act) home and community-based waiver
must accompany the application; this requirement does not apply to
applicants for the National State-to-State Technical Assistance Program
for Community Living grant. To apply for a Mental Health: Systems
Transformation grant, the Single State Medicaid Agency must have the
support of the Mental Health Authority as demonstrated by a letter of
endorsement from the State Mental Health Director.
C. Any entity may apply for the National State-to-State Technical
Assistance Program for Community Living grant.
D. Any nonprofit organization, as defined as a corporation or
association whose profits may not lawfully accrue to the benefit of any
private shareholder or individual, may apply for the Family-to-Family
Health Care Information and Education Center grant. Nonprofits whose
mission includes services to families with children with special health
care needs and whose Board of Directors have a majority of parents of
children with special health care needs are especially encouraged to
apply.
2. Cost Sharing or Matching
Grantees are required to make a non-financial contribution of 5
percent of the total grant award (including all direct and indirect
costs). Non-financial contributions may include the value of goods and/
or services contributed by the Grantee (for example, salary and fringe
benefits of staff devoting a percentage of their time to the grant not
otherwise included in the budget or derived from Federal funds). The
non-financial contribution requirement may also be satisfied if a third
party participating in the grant makes an ``in-kind contribution,''
provided that the Grantee's contribution and/or the third-party in-kind
contribution equals five percent of the total grant award (including
all direct and indirect costs). Third-party in-kind contributions may
include the value of the time spent by consumer task force members
(using appropriate cost allocation methods to the extent that non-
Federal funds are involved) who specifically contribute to the design,
development, and implementation of the grant. Non-financial
contributions must be included in the applicant's budget in Item 15
(Estimated Funding) on Standard Form 424A and described in the budget
narrative/justification section of the solicitation package. The
solicitation package for these grants is available at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/newfreedom/2004solicitation.pdf
.
3. Eligibility Threshold Criteria
Applications that are not received by the application deadline will
not be reviewed.
Even though an application may be reviewed and scored, it will not
be funded if the application fails to meet any requirements as outlined
in the ``Format and Content of Applications'' or ``Eligibility
Information'' sections of the solicitation package at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/newfreedom/2004solicitation.pdf
.
Applications from an eligible applicant will not be considered for
funding if they submit the same or substantially similar scope of work
(a) under more than one of this year's grant opportunities or (b) from
the applicant's Real Choice Systems Change Grant that was funded in FY
2001, 2002, or 2003.
For all grant opportunities except the Family-to-Family Health Care
Information and Education Centers, only one application per grant
category will be considered per State. Should a State submit multiple
applications for a single grant category, only the highest-ranked
application received from that State would be considered for funding.
Although more than one non-profit organization within a State may
submit an application for a Family-to-Family Health Care Information
and Education Centers grant, a letter of endorsement from the Governor,
State Medicaid Director, or Agency administering a relevant section
1915(c) (of the Act) home and community-based waiver (if applicable) is
required for each applicant under this grant opportunity and no more
than one application per State will be awarded in this grant
opportunity.
To apply for the Mental Health: Systems Transformation grant, the
Single State Medicaid Agency and the State Mental Health Authority must
both endorse the grant application. Either the Medicaid Agency or the
Mental Health Authority may serve as the project lead.
States that received a Assurance and Quality Improvement in Home
and Community-Based Services grant in FY 2003 (that is, California,
Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Indiana, Maine, Minnesota,
Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South
Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia, Wisconsin) are not eligible
for a Quality Assurance & Quality Improvement in HCBS grant award from
CMS in FY 2004.
No CMS Family-to-Family Health Care Information and Education grant
awards in FY 2004 will be made to any organization within a State that
already has an entity that:
Was awarded a Family-to-Family Health Care Information and
Education grant in FY 2003 (that is, Alaska, Colorado, Indiana,
Maryland, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, South Dakota, Wisconsin) or
Currently operates a Family-to-Family Health Care
Information and Education Center funded through the Health Resources
and Services Administration (HRSA) (that is, California, Florida,
Maine, Minnesota, Tennessee, and Vermont).
States that received a Money Follows the Person Rebalancing
Initiative grant in FY 2003 (that is, California, Idaho, Maine,
Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin) that
plan to apply for a Rebalancing Initiative grant are strongly cautioned
that CMS will not fund applications that propose activities that are
currently funded under a State's existing CMS grants.
IV. Application and Submission Information
1. Address To Request Application Package
A complete electronic application package, including all required
forms, for the Real Choice Systems Change Grants is available at http://www.grants.gov.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their
applications electronically through http://www.grants.gov.
Standard application forms and related instructions are available
online at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/sf424.pdf.
Standard application forms, related instructions, and the
solicitation package are also available from Nicole Nicholson, Centers
for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Office of Operations Management,
Acquisition and Grants Group, C2-21-15 Central Building, 7500 Security
Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850, (410) 786-5158, e-mail:
NNicholson@cms.hhs.gov.
2. Content and Form of Application Submission
Applicants are encouraged to submit a Notice of Intent to Apply.
Submission
[[Page 28137]]
of a Notice of Intent to Apply is not required, does not bind the
applicant to apply, nor does its submission cause an application to be
reviewed more favorably. The receipt of Notices enables CMS to better
plan the application review process. A Notice of Intent to Apply may be
submitted in any format; however, a sample Notice is available in the
solicitation package for these grants at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/newfreedom/2004solicitation.pdf
.
A full description of the content and form of applications for each
of the funding opportunities under the Real Choice Systems Change
Grants is available in the solicitation package for these grants at
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/newfreedom/2004solicitation.pdf. A complete
application consists of the following materials organized in the
following sequence: (a) Title Page and Cover Letter; (b) Standard
Forms, (c) Letter of Endorsement (if applicable); (d) Project Abstract;
(e) Project Narrative; (f) Budget Narrative/Justification; (g) Required
Attachments; and (h) Other Appendices. Applicants may meet CMS' pre-
award requirements for documentation to verify cost sharing
requirements of this notice through (a) letters of support and
commitment from partners who will supply a non-financial match and/or
(b) the project budget which specifies the non-financial match provided
by the applicant organization.
3. Submission Dates and Times
Information regarding the time and call-in number for an open
applicant's teleconference is available on the CMS Web site at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/newfreedom
.
Notices of Intent to Apply for a grant are due by June 8, 2004. All
grant applications are due by July 19, 2004. Applications submitted
through http://www.grants.gov until 11:59 p.m. eastern time on July 19,
2004, will receive an automatic time stamp upon submission and be
considered ``on time.'' Applicants will receive an automatic reply
email acknowledging the application's receipt.
Applications mailed through the U.S. Postal Services or a
commercial delivery service will be considered ``on time'' if received
by close of business on July 19, 2004, or postmarked (first class mail)
by July 19, 2004, and received within five (5) business days. If
express, certified, or registered mail is used, proof of timely mailing
is a legible dated mailing receipt from the U.S. Postal Service.
Private metered postmarks are not acceptable as proof of timely
mailings. Applicants who submit applications through the U.S. Postal
Services or a commercial delivery service will not receive official
notification that their application has been received on time from CMS.
Applications that do not meet the above criteria will be considered
late. Late applications will not be reviewed.
4. Intergovernmental Review
Applications for these grants are not subject to review by States
under Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal
Programs'' (45 CFR part 100).
5. Funding Restrictions
Reimbursement of indirect costs under this notice is governed by
the provisions of OMB Circular A-87. A copy of OMB Circular A-87 is
available online at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/circulars/a087/a087.html.
Additional information regarding the Department's internal
policies for indirect rates is available online at: http://www.hhs.gov/grantsnet/adminis/gpd/gpd301.htm
.
Grant funds under this notice may be used for direct services to
beneficiaries for the Quality Assurance & Quality Improvement in HCBS
and Integrating Long Term Supports with Affordable Housing grant
opportunities only. Direct Services do not include expenses: (a)
Budgeted for consumer task force member participation in Real Choice
Systems Change Conferences, (b) the provision of technical assistance;
or (c) attendance at technical assistance conferences sponsored by CMS
or its national technical assistance providers for the benefit of Real
Choice Systems Change Grantees. No grant awards made under this notice
may be used to reimburse pre-award costs.
6. Other Submission Requirements
Applicants may submit either an electronic application or a paper
copy application. Applicants may not submit the same application in
more than one format, and the choice of one application format over
another will not cause an application to be reviewed more favorably.
All standard application forms may be obtained as detailed in section
IV of this notice. Additional submission requirements for the Real
Choice Systems Change Grants is available in the solicitation package
for these grants at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/newfreedom/2004solicitation.pdf
.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their applications
electronically. Electronic applications may be submitted through http://www.grants.gov.
For complete explanation of the electronic application
process, applicants should review the ``getting started'' information
provided at http://www.grants.gov/GetStarted.
Applicants that choose to submit a paper application are required
to submit one original application and two copies to: Real Choice
Systems Change Grants, Attn: Marian Webb, Centers for Medicare &
Medicaid Services, Acquisition and Grants Group, AGG/DRCG, Mail Stop
C2-21-15, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850.
Beginning October 1, 2003, applicants are required to have a Dun
and Bradstreet (DUNS) number to apply for a grant or cooperative
agreement from the Federal Government. The DUNS number is a nine-digit
identification number, which uniquely identifies business entities.
Obtaining a DUNS number is easy and there is no charge. To obtain a
DUNS number, access the following Web site: http://www.dunandbradstreet.com
or call 1-866-705-5711. This number should be
entered in the block with the applicant's name and address on the cover
page of the application (Item 5 on the Form SF-424, Application for
Federal Assistance), with the annotation ``DUNS'' followed by the DUNS
number that identified the applicant. The name and address in the
application should be exactly as given for the DUNS number.
V. Application Review Information
1. Criteria
Each of the nine funding opportunities available under the Real
Choice Systems Change Grants have extremely detailed evaluation
criteria, which are available in the solicitation package at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/newfreedom/2004solicitation.pdf.
Although the specific
criteria and point values differ by funding opportunity, all proposals
will be evaluated on strength of their (a) identification of problems
or system issues, (b) project description and methodology, (c)
significance and sustainability, (d) partnerships, and (e) budget
justification and resources.
2. Review and Selection Process
A. How the Merit of Applications Will Be Determined
CMS will employ a multiphase review process to determine the
applications that will be reviewed and the merit of the applications
that are reviewed. The multiphase application review process includes
the following:
Applications will be screened by Federal staff to
determine eligibility for further review using the criteria detailed in
section III ``Eligibility Information'' of this notice. Applications
that that are
[[Page 28138]]
received late or fail to meet the eligibility requirements as detailed
in the ``Eligibility Information'' section of this notice will not be
reviewed.
Applications will be objectively reviewed by a panel of
experts, the exact number and composition of which will be determined
by CMS at its discretion, but may include private sector subject matter
experts, beneficiaries of Medicaid supports, and Federal and State
policy staff. The review panels will utilize objective criteria to
establish an overall numeric score for each application.
Results of the objectively review of applications will be
used to advise the approving CMS official. Additionally, CMS staff will
make final recommendations to the approving official after ranking
applications using the scores and comments from the review panel and
weighing other factors as described in the ``Factors Other than Merit
that May be Used in Selecting Applications for Award'' section of this
notice.
B. Factors Other Than Merit That May Be Used in Selecting Applications
for Award
CMS may assure reasonable balance among the grants to be awarded in
a particular category in terms of key factors such as geographic
distribution and broad target group representation.
CMS may redistribute grant funds based upon the number and quality
of applications received for each grant opportunity (for example, to
adjust the minimum or maximum awards permitted or adjust the aggregate
amount of Federal funds allotted to a particular category of grants).
CMS will not fund activities that are duplicative of efforts funded
through its grant programs or other Federal resources.
For applicants that have been awarded previous Real Choice Systems
Change Grants, past programmatic performance will be considered in
selecting applications for award. To assess the applicant's past
programmatic performance, CMS will use the semi-annual, annual, and
financial reports submitted by the applicant under the Terms and
Conditions of their previously awarded Real Choice Systems Change
Grant.
For applicants that have never received a Real Choice Systems
Change Grant, past programmatic performance will not be a consideration
in selecting applications for award.
VI. Award Administration Information
1. Award Notices
Successful applicants will receive a Notice of Grant Award (NGA)
signed and dated by the CMS Grants Management Officer. The NGA is the
document authorizing the grant award, and it will be sent through the
U.S. Postal Service to the applicant organization. Any communication
between CMS and applicants before the issuance of the NGA is not an
authorization to begin performance of a project. Unsuccessful
applicants will be notified by letter, sent through the U.S. Postal
Service to the applicant organization, after October 1, 2004.
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
All relevant provisions of 45 CFR part 74 and 45 CFR part 92 will
apply to these awards. A full description of the administrative and
national policy requirements for the Real Choice Systems Change Grants
is available in the solicitation package for these grants at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/newfreedom/2004solicitation.pdf
.
This funding opportunity will lead to awards with CMS' standard
terms and conditions and may lead to awards with additional ``special''
terms and conditions. Potential applicants should be aware that special
requirements could apply to particular awards based on the particular
circumstances of the effort to be supported and/or deficiencies (for
example, failure to supply or an acceptable Work Plan or detailed 36-
month budget) identified in the application by CMS.
3. Reporting
Grantees must agree to cooperate with any Federal evaluation of the
program and provide semi-annual (every 6 months) and final reports (at
the end of the grant period) in a form prescribed by CMS (including the
SF-269a ``Financial Status Report'' forms). Reports may be submitted
electronically. These reports will outline how grant funds were used,
describe program progress, and describe any barriers and measurable
outcomes. CMS will provide a format for reporting and technical
assistance necessary to complete required report forms. Grantees must
also agree to respond to requests that are necessary for the evaluation
of the national Real Choice Systems Change Grants efforts and provide
data on key elements of their Real Choice Systems Change Grant
activities.
VII. Agency Contacts
Programmatic questions about the Real Choice Systems Change Grants
may be directed to:
An e-mail address that multiple people access so that
someone will respond even if others are unexpectedly absent during
critical periods: RealChoiceFY2004@cms.hhs.gov or
Mary Guy, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Center
for Medicaid and State Operations, DEHPG/DCSI, Mail Stop S2-14-26, 7500
Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850, 410-786-2772 (voice), or
410-786-9004 (fax).
Administrative questions about the Real Choice Systems Change
Grants may be directed to: Nicole Nicholson, Centers for Medicare &
Medicaid Services, Acquisition and Grants Group, AGG/DRCG, Mail Stop
C2-21-15, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850, 410-786-
5158 (voice), 410-786-9088 (fax), or by e-mail at
NNicholson@cms.hhs.gov.
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P
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BILLING CODE 4120-01-C
IX. Approval of Collection of Information
This notice informs interested parties of an opportunity to apply
for Real Choice Systems Change Grants. If interested, applicants must
submit a completed grant application that can be found at http://www.grants.gov
.
[[Page 28141]]
This information collection requirement is subject to the PRA;
however, the burden for this collection requirement is currently
approved under OMB control number 0938-0836 entitled ``Real Choice
Systems Grants; Nursing Facility Transition/Access Housing Grants;
Community Personal Assistance Service and Supports Grants, National
Technical Assistance and Learning Collaborative Grants to Support
Systems Change for Community Living'' with a current expiration date of
1/31/2007.
Dated: March 12, 2004.
Dennis G. Smith,
Acting Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
[FR Doc. 04-11241 Filed 5-17-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P