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[Federal Register: June 11, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 111)]
[Notices]
[Page 32116-32123]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr11jn07-53]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
State Partnership Grant Program to Improve Minority Health
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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Announcement Type: Competitive Initial Announcement of Availability
of Funds.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: State Partnership
Grant Program to Improve Minority Health--93.296.
DATES: To receive consideration, applications must be received by the
Office of Grants Management, Office of Public Health and Science
(OPHS), Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) c/o WilDon
Solutions, Office of Grants Management Operations Center, Attention
Office of Minority Health State Partnership Grant Program to Improve
Minority Health, no later than 5 p.m. Eastern Time on July 11, 2007.
The application due date requirement in this announcement supersedes
the instructions in the OPHS-1 form.
ADDRESSES: Application kits may be obtained electronically by accessing
Grants.gov at http://www.grants.gov or GrantSolutions at
http://www.GrantSolutions.gov.
To obtain a hard copy of the application kit,
contact WilDon Solutions at 1-888-203-6161. Applicants may fax a
written request to WilDon Solutions at (703) 351-1138 or email the
request to OPHS grantinfo@teamwildon.com. Applications must be prepared
using Form OPHS-1 ``Grant Application,'' which is included in the
application kit.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: WilDon Solutions, Office of Grants
Management Operations Center, 1515 Wilson Blvd., Third Floor Suite 310,
Arlington, VA 22209 at 1-888-203-6161, email
OPHSgrantinfo@teamwildon.com, or fax 703-351-1138.
SUMMARY: This announcement is made by the United States Department of
Health and Human Services (HHS or Department), Office of Minority
Health (OMH) located within the Office of Public Health and Science
(OPHS), and working in a ``One Department'' approach collaboratively
with participating HHS agencies and programs (entities). OMH is
authorized to conduct the State Partnership Grant Program to Improve
Minority Health under 42 U.S.C. 300u-6, section 1707 of the Public
Health Service Act, as amended. The mission of the OMH is to improve
the health of racial and ethnic minority populations through the
development of policies and programs that address disparities and gaps.
OMH serves as the focal point within the HHS for leadership, policy
development and coordination, service demonstrations, information
exchange, coalition and partnership building, and related efforts to
address the health of racial and ethnic minorities. OMH activities are
implemented in an effort to address Healthy People 2010, a
comprehensive set of disease prevention and health promotion objectives
for the Nation to achieve over the first decade of the 21st century
(http://www.healthypeople.gov). This funding announcement is also made in
support of the OMH National Partnership for Action initiative, an
outgrowth of OMH's 2006 National
[[Page 32117]]
Leadership Summit for Eliminating Racial and Ethnic Disparities in
Health. The mission of the National Partnership for Action (NPA) is to
work with individuals and organizations across the country to create a
Nation free of health disparities, with quality health outcomes for all
by achieving the following five objectives: Increasing awareness of
health disparities; strengthening leadership at all levels for
addressing health disparities; enhancing patient-provider
communication; improving cultural and linguistic competency in
delivering health services; and improving coordination and utilization
of research and outcome evaluations.
OMH conducted a study to assess the minority health infrastructure
within selected states and territories, and to examine their capacity
to address racial and ethnic health disparities in their jurisdictions.
A finding of the Assessment of State Minority Health Infrastructure and
Capacity to Address Issues of Health Disparities (final report--
September 2000) was that, despite many challenges, state and/or
territorial offices of minority health are an organized and visible
presence at the state policymaking level and provide opportunities for
shaping and creating initiatives that could affect the health status of
minority populations and serve as pivotal points for federal, state,
and local efforts to improve the health status of minority populations.
In addition, these offices serve an important information dissemination
function--providing information on minority health issues to
policymakers, health professionals, community-based organizations, and
the general public. Based, in part, on the results of this study and
activities supported under the initial state partnership initiative,
the Department announces the availability of FY 2007 funding for the
State Partnership Grant Program to Improve Minority Health to continue
HHS' efforts to improve the health and well being of racial and ethnic
minorities. This program is intended to ascertain the effectiveness of
state office of minority health-led interventions, including systems
change, in addressing the elimination of health disparities among
racial and ethnic minority populations.
Although the overall health of the nation has improved, racial and
ethnic minority groups continue to experience disparities in health
care and are disproportionately affected by chronic disease and health
conditions.\1\ Eliminating the disproportionate health care disparities
is an HHS priority, and the second goal of Healthy People 2010, a
systematic approach to health improvement on a national level.
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\1\Health, United States, 2006, Natinal Center for Health
Statistics (NCHS), Hyattsville, MD, November 2006.
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The risk of many diseases and health conditions are reduced through
preventative actions. A culture of wellness diminishes debilitating and
costly health problems. Individual health care is built on a foundation
of responsibility for personal wellness, which includes participating
in regular physical activity, eating a healthful diet, taking advantage
of medical screenings, and making healthy choices to avoid risky
behaviors. As cited in the National Healthcare Disparities Report,
disparities related to race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status still
pervade the American health care system.\2\ The report also indicates
that prevention and elimination of health care disparities for the
Nation will result from coordinated actions at Federal, State, and
local levels to extend the benefits of regional and community successes
nationwide.
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\2\National Healthcare Disparities Report, U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services, Agency for Health Care Research and
Quality (AHRQ), Rockville, MD, December 2006.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Table of Contents
Section I. Funding Opportunity Description
1. Purpose
2. OMH Expectations
3. Applicant Project Results
4. Project Requirements
Section II. Award Information
Section III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants
2. Cost Sharing or Matching
3. Other
Section IV. Application and Submission Information
1. Address to Request Application Package
2. Content and Form of Application Submission
3. Submission Dates and Times
4. Intergovernmental Review
5. Funding Restrictions
Section V. Application Review Information
1. Criteria
2. Review and Selection Process
3. Anticipated Award Date
Section VI. Award Administration Information
1. Award Notices
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
3. Reporting Requirements
Section VII. Agency Contacts
Section VIII. Other Information
1. Background Information
2. Healthy People 2010
3. Definitions
Section I. Funding Opportunity Description
Authority: The program is authorized under 42 U.S.C. 300u-6,
section 1707 of the Public Health Service Act, as amended.
1. Purpose: The State Partnership Grant Program to Improve Minority
Health (hereinafter referred to as State Partnership Program) seeks to
facilitate the improvement of minority health and elimination of health
disparities by addressing data needs, partnership development, systems
development, health areas (e.g., asthma, CVD/heart disease and stroke,
adult immunization, infant mortality, mental health, and obesity/
overweight), and/or workforce diversity.
2. OMH Expectations: It is intended that this federal OMH/OPHS
State Partnership Program will result in:
Improved state and territory-wide planning, coordination,
collaboration, and linkages among public and private entities that
specifically address minority health and health disparities;
Improved coordination and collaboration among state and
territorial public health offices that benefit minority health and
contribute to eliminating health disparities;
Dedicated state and territorial leadership and staffing
to: support planning and coordination; promote and implement evidence-
based approaches and programs to address priority minority health
problem(s); monitor and evaluate state and territorial efforts; and
disseminate information focused on improving minority health and
eliminating health disparities;
Increased state and territory-wide efforts to improve
minority health and eliminate health disparities through the support of
community programs;
Establishment or enhancement of multicultural partnerships
to build efforts within communities of color to collaboratively address
health issues impacting minority communities; and
Improved diversity in the healthcare workforce.
3. Applicant Project Results: Applicants must identify anticipated
project results that are consistent with the overall purpose of the
State Partnership Program and OMH expectations. Project results should
fall within the following general categories, which relate to the NPA
objectives relevant to this program:
Increasing awareness of health disparities.
Strengthening leadership at all levels for addressing
health disparities.
Improving coordination and utilization of research and
outcome evaluations.
[[Page 32118]]
4. Project Requirements: Each applicant under the State Partnership
Program must propose to:
Implement a project that:
(1) Focuses on improving state and territory-wide planning,
coordination, collaboration, and linkages among public and private
entities that specifically address minority health and health
disparities; and
(2) Addresses at least one other activity from the identified OMH
expectations list (see Section 2 above).
Section II. Award Information
Estimated Funds Available for Competition: $900,000. (Grant awards
are subjected to the availability of funds.)
Anticipated Number of Awards: 7.
Range of Awards: $75,000 to $125,000 per year.
Anticipated Start Date: September 1, 2007.
Period of Performance: 3 Years (September 1, 2007 to August 31,
2010).
Budget Period Length: 12 months.
Type of Award: Grant.
Type of Application Accepted: New.
Section III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants
To qualify for funding, an applicant must be a currently
established state or territorial office of minority health at the time
of application submission for this announcement and not have an
existing State Partnership Program grant from OMH. States that do not
have a formally recognized office of minority health (established
through legislation, executive order, or a directive process) may not
apply for these OMH State Partnership Program grants. States that do
not have formal offices of minority health are not as likely to have
the linkages and infrastructure necessary to foster effective
relationships with public/private entities and/or community-based
minority-focused organizations necessary to address the health needs of
racial and ethnic minorities, as required for this program.
Documentation that verifies official status as an established state
or territorial office of minority health must be submitted. Examples of
such documentation include: a signed statement from a state/territorial
level authorizing official (e.g., Governor or designated official,
Commissioner of Health, or designee) verifying official status,
including a copy of the Executive Order or statute that established the
state or territorial office of minority health, where applicable.
A signed letter of support and commitment for the proposed project
from an authorizing state or territorial official (e.g., Commissioner
of Health, state health director, or designee) is also required as part
of the application.
The established state or territorial office of minority health
will:
Serve as the lead office for the project.
Be responsible for grant implementation, management, and
evaluation.
2. Cost Sharing or Matching
Matching funds are not required for the State Partnership Program.
3. Other
If funding is requested in an amount greater than the ceiling of
the award range, the application will be considered non-responsive and
will not be entered into the review process. The application will be
returned with notification that it did not meet the submission
requirements. Applications that are not complete or do not conform to
or address the criteria of this announcement will be considered non-
responsive and will not be entered into the review process. The
application will be returned with notification that it did not meet the
submission requirements.
Established state and/or territorial offices of minority health may
submit no more than one application to the State Partnership Program.
Eligible states and territories submitting more than one proposal for
this grant program will be deemed ineligible. The multiple proposals
from the same organization will be returned without comment.
Established state and/or territorial offices of minority health are
not eligible to receive funding from more than one OMH grant program to
carry out the same project and/or activities.
Section IV. Application and Submission Information
1. Address to Request Application Kit
Application kits for the State Partnership Program may be obtained
by accessing Grants.gov at http://www.grants.gov or the GrantSolutions system at http://www.grantsolutions.gov. To obtain a hard copy of the
application kit, contact WilDon Solutions at 1-888-203-6161. Applicants
may also fax a written request to WilDon Solutions at 703-351-1138 or
email the request to OPHSgrantinfo@teamwildon.com. Applications must be
prepared using Form OPHS-1, which can be obtained at the Web sites
noted above.
2. Content and Form of Application Submission
A. Application and Submission
Applicants must use Grant Application Form OPHS-1 and complete the
Face Page/Cover Page (SF 424), Checklist, and Budget Information Forms
for Non-Construction Programs (SF 424A). In addition, the application
must contain a project narrative. The project narrative (including
summary and appendices) is limited to a total of 60 pages.
The narrative description of the project must contain the
following, in the order presented:
Table of Contents.
Project Summary: Describe key aspects of the Background,
Objectives, Program Plan, and Evaluation Plan. The summary is limited
to 3 pages.
Background:
--Statement of Need: Describe and document (with data) demographic
information on the minority health and health disparities issues in the
state/territory, and the significance or prevalence of the health
problem or issues affecting the target minority group(s). Describe the
minority group(s), where applicable, targeted by the project (e.g.,
race/ethnicity, age gender, educational level/income). Provide
rationale for the approach.
--Experience: Describe the applicant organization (state/territorial
office of minority health), where it is located organizationally, when
it was formally established, and past/current efforts that are being
undertaken by the organization to address minority health and health
disparities. Discuss the applicant organization's experience in
managing projects/activities, especially those targeting the population
to be served. Include a chart of the organization's structure, showing
who reports to whom, and of the proposed project's organizational
structure. Describe how senior state health officials will be engaged
in this program and/or periodically informed on the activities and
outcomes of the program. Describe the background/experience of any
proposed linkage organization and how the organization will interface
with the state/territorial office of minority health.
Objectives: State objectives in measurable terms,
including baseline data, improvement targets, and time frames for
achievement for the three-year project period.
Program Plan: Clearly describe how the project will be
carried out. Describe specific activities and strategies planned
[[Page 32119]]
to achieve each objective. For each activity, describe how, when,
where, by whom, and for whom the activity will be conducted. Describe
the role of any proposed linkage organization(s) in the project.
Provide a description of proposed program staff, including resumes and
job descriptions for key staff, qualifications and responsibilities of
each staff member, and percent of time each will commit to the project.
Provide a description of duties for any proposed consultants and/or
collaborating public health entities. Describe any products to be
developed by the project. Provide a time line for each of the three
years of the project period.
Evaluation Plan: Clearly delineate how the project will be
evaluated. The evaluation plan must clearly articulate how the project
will be evaluated to determine if the intended results have been
achieved. The evaluation plan must describe, for all funded activities:
--Specific problem(s) and factors causing or contributing to the
problem(s) that will be addressed;
--Intended results (i.e., impacts and outcomes);
--How impacts and outcomes will be measured (i.e., what indicators or
measures will be used to monitor and measure progress toward achieving
project results);
--Methods for collecting and analyzing data on measures;
--Evaluation methods that will be used to assess impacts and outcomes;
--Evaluation expertise that will be available for this purpose;
--How results are expected to contribute to the objectives of the
Program as a whole, and relevant Healthy People 2010 goals and
objectives; and
--The potential for replicating the evaluation methods for similar
efforts by other state offices of minority health.
It is expected that evaluation activities will be implemented at
the beginning of the program in order to capture and document actions
contributing to program outcomes. The evaluation plan must be able to
produce documented results that demonstrate whether and how the
strategies and activities funded under the State Partnership Program
made a difference in the improvement of minority health and the
elimination of health disparities. The plan must identify the expected
results for each objective. The description must include data
collection and analysis methods and demographic data to be collected on
project participants, where applicable. Discuss plans and describe the
vehicle (e.g., manual) that will be used to document the steps which
others may follow to replicate the proposed project. Describe plans for
disseminating project results.
Appendices: Include required eligibility documentation and
other relevant information in this section.
In addition to the project narrative, the application must contain
a detailed budget justification which includes a narrative explanation
and indicates the computation of expenditures for each year for which
grant support is requested. The budget request must include funds for
key project staff to attend an annual OMH grantee meeting. (The budget
justification does not count toward the page limitation.)
B. Data Universal Numbering System number (DUNS)
Applicants must have a Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal
Numbering System number as the universal identifier when applying for
Federal grants. The D&B number can be obtained by calling (866) 705-
5711 or through the Web site at http://www.dnb.com/us/. 
3. Submission Dates and Times
To be considered for review, applications must be received by the
Office of Public Health and Science, Office of Grants Management, c/o
WilDon Solutions, by 5 p.m. Eastern Time on July 11, 2007. Applications
will be considered as meeting the deadline if they are received on or
before the deadline date. The application due date requirement in this
announcement supersedes the instructions in the OPHS-1 form.
Submission Mechanisms
The Office of Public Health and Science (OPHS) provides multiple
mechanisms for the submission of applications, as described in the
following sections. Applicants will receive notification via mail from
the OPHS Office of Grants Management confirming the receipt of
applications submitted using any of these mechanisms. Applications
submitted to the OPHS Office of Grants Management after the deadlines
described below will not be accepted for review. Applications which do
not conform to the requirements of the grant announcement will not be
accepted for review and will be returned to the applicant.
While applications are accepted in hard copy, the use of the
electronic application submission capabilities provided by the
Grants.gov and GrantSolutions.gov systems is encouraged. Applications
may only be submitted electronically via the electronic submission
mechanisms specified below. Any applications submitted via any other
means of electronic communication, including facsimile or electronic
mail, will not be accepted for review.
In order to apply for new funding opportunities which are open to
the public for competition, you may access the Grants.gov Web site
portal. All OPHS funding opportunities and application kits are made
available on Grants.gov. If your organization has/had a grantee
business relationship with a grant program serviced by the OPHS Office
of Grants Management, and you are applying as part of ongoing grantee
related activities, please access GrantSolutions.gov.
Electronic grant application submissions must be submitted no later
than 5 p.m. Eastern Time on the deadline date specified in the DATES
section of the announcement using one of the electronic submission
mechanisms specified below. All required hardcopy original signatures
and mail-in items must be received by the OPHS Office of Grants
Management, c/o WilDon Solutions no later than 5 p.m. Eastern Time on
the next business day after the deadline date specified in the DATES
section of the announcement.
Applications will not be considered valid until all electronic
application components, hardcopy original signatures, and mail-in items
are received by the OPHS Office of Grants Management according to the
deadlines specified above. Application submissions that do not adhere
to the due date requirements will be considered late and will be deemed
ineligible.
Applicants are encouraged to initiate electronic applications early
in the application development process, and to submit early on the due
date or before. This will aid in addressing any problems with
submissions prior to the application deadline.
Electronic Submissions via the Grants.gov Web site Portal
The Grants.gov Web site Portal provides organizations with the
ability to submit applications for OPHS grant opportunities.
Organizations must successfully complete the necessary registration
processes in order to submit an application. Information about this
system is available on the Grants.gov Web site, http://www.grants.gov.
In addition to electronically submitted materials, applicants may
be required to submit hard copy signatures for certain Program related
forms, or original materials as required by the
[[Page 32120]]
announcement. It is imperative that the applicant review both the grant
announcement, as well as the application guidance provided within the
Grants.gov application package, to determine such requirements. Any
required hard copy materials, or documents that require a signature,
must be submitted separately via mail to the OPHS Office of Grants
Management, c/o WilDon Solutions, and if required, must contain the
original signature of an individual authorized to act for the applicant
agency and the obligations imposed by the terms and conditions of the
grant award. When submitting the required forms, do not send the entire
application. Complete hard copy applications submitted after the
electronic submission will not be considered for review.
Electronic applications submitted via the Grants.gov Web site
Portal must contain all completed online forms required by the
application kit, the Program Narrative, Budget Narrative and any
appendices or exhibits. All required mail-in items must received by the
due date requirements specified above. Mail-In items may only include
publications, resumes, or organizational documentation. When submitting
the required forms, do not send the entire application. Complete hard
copy applications submitted after the electronic submission will not be
considered for review.
Upon completion of a successful electronic application submission
via the Grants.gov Web site Portal, the applicant will be provided with
a confirmation page from Grants.gov indicating the date and time
(Eastern Time) of the electronic application submission, as well as the
Grants.gov Receipt Number. It is critical that the applicant print and
retain this confirmation for their records, as well as a copy of the
entire application package.
All applications submitted via the Grants.gov Web site Portal will
be validated by Grants.gov. Any applications deemed ``Invalid'' by the
Grants.gov Web site Portal will not be transferred to the
GrantSolutions system, and OPHS has no responsibility for any
application that is not validated and transferred to OPHS from the
Grants.gov Web site Portal. Grants.gov will notify the applicant
regarding the application validation status. Once the application is
successfully validated by the Grants.gov Web site Portal, applicants
should immediately mail all required hard copy materials to the OPHS
Office of Grants Management, c/o WilDon Solutions, to be received by
the deadlines specified above. It is critical that the applicant
clearly identify the Organization name and Grants.gov Application
Receipt Number on all hard copy materials.
Once the application is validated by Grants.gov, it will be
electronically transferred to the GrantSolutions system for processing.
Upon receipt of both the electronic application from the Grants.gov Web
site Portal, and the required hardcopy mail-in items, applicants will
receive notification via mail from the OPHS Office of Grants Management
confirming the receipt of the application submitted using the
Grants.gov Web site Portal.
Applicants should contact Grants.gov regarding any questions or
concerns regarding the electronic application process conducted through
the Grants.gov Web site Portal.
Electronic Submissions via the GrantSolutions System
OPHS is a managing partner of the GrantSolutions.gov system.
GrantSolutions is a full life-cycle grants management system managed by
the Administration for Children and Families, Department of Health and
Human Services (HHS), and is designated by the Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) as one of the three Government-wide grants management
systems under the Grants Management Line of Business initiative
(GMLoB). OPHS uses GrantSolutions for the electronic processing of all
grant applications, as well as the electronic management of its entire
Grant portfolio.
When submitting applications via the GrantSolutions system,
applicants are required to submit a hard copy of the application face
page (Standard Form 424) with the original signature of an individual
authorized to act for the applicant agency and assume the obligations
imposed by the terms and conditions of the grant award. If required,
applicants will also need to submit a hard copy of the Standard Form
LLL and/or certain Program related forms (e.g., Program Certifications)
with the original signature of an individual authorized to act for the
applicant agency. When submitting the required forms, do not send the
entire application. Complete hard copy applications submitted after the
electronic submission will not be considered for review.
Electronic applications submitted via the GrantSolutions system
must contain all completed online forms required by the application
kit, the Program Narrative, Budget Narrative and any appendices or
exhibits. The applicant may identify specific mail-in items to be sent
to the Office of Grants Management separate from the electronic
submission; however these mail-in items must be entered on the
GrantSolutions Application Checklist at the time of electronic
submission, and must be received by the due date requirements specified
above. Mail-In items may only include publications, resumes, or
organizational documentation. When submitting the required forms, do
not send the entire application. Complete hard copy applications
submitted after the electronic submission will not be considered for
review.
Upon completion of a successful electronic application submission,
the GrantSolutions system will provide the applicant with a
confirmation page indicating the date and time (Eastern Time) of the
electronic application submission. This confirmation page will also
provide a listing of all items that constitute the final application
submission including all electronic application components, required
hardcopy original signatures, and mail-in items, as well as the mailing
address of the OPHS Office of Grants Management where all required hard
copy materials must be submitted.
As items are received by the OPHS Office of Grants Management, the
electronic application status will be updated to reflect the receipt of
mail-in items. It is recommended that the applicant monitor the status
of their application in the GrantSolutions system to ensure that all
signatures and mail-in items are received.
Mailed or Hand-Delivered Hard Copy Applications
Applicants who submit applications in hard copy (via mail or hand-
delivered) are required to submit an original and two copies of the
application. The original application must be signed by an individual
authorized to act for the applicant agency or organization and to
assume for the organization the obligations imposed by the terms and
conditions of the grant award.
Mailed or hand-delivered applications will be considered as meeting
the deadline if they are received by the OPHS Office of Grant
Management, c/o WilDon Solutions, on or before 5 p.m. Eastern Time on
the deadline date specified in the DATES section of the announcement.
The application deadline date requirement specified in this
announcement supersedes the instructions in the OPHS-1. Applications
that do not meet the deadline will be returned to the applicant unread.
[[Page 32121]]
4. Intergovernmental Review
The State Partnership Program is subject to the requirements of
Executive Order 12372 which allows States the options of setting up a
system for reviewing applications from within their States for
assistance under certain Federal programs. The application kits
available under this notice will contain a list 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. The SPOC list is also
available on the Internet at the following address: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html.
Applicants should contact
their SPOC as early as possible to alert them to the prospective
applications and receive any necessary instructions on the State
process. The due date for State process recommendations is 60 days
after the application deadlines established by the OPHS 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.)
5. Funding Restrictions
Budget Request: If funding is requested in an amount greater than
the ceiling of the award range, the application will be considered non-
responsive and will not be entered into the review process. The
application will be returned with notification that it did not meet the
submission requirements.
Grant funds may be used to cover costs of:
Consultants.
Personnel.
Equipment.
Supplies (including screening and outreach supplies).
Grant-related travel (domestic only), including attendance
at an annual OMH grantee meeting.
Other grant-related costs.
Grant funds may not be used for:
Building alterations or renovations.
Construction.
Fund raising activities.
Job training.
Medical care, treatment or therapy.
Political education and lobbying.
Research studies involving human subjects.
Vocational rehabilitation.
Vehicle purchases.
Guidance for completing the budget can be found in the Program
Guidelines, which are included with the complete application kits.
Section V. Application Review Information
1. Criteria
The technical review of the State Partnership Program applications
will consider the following four generic factors listed, in descending
order of weight.
A. Factor 1: Program Plan (40%)
Appropriateness and merit of proposed approach and
specific activities for each objective.
Logic and sequencing of the planned approaches as they
relate to the statement of need, objectives and program evaluation.
Soundness of any proposed partnerships (e.g., coalitions),
as applicable.
Applicant's capability to manage and evaluate the project
as determined by:
--Qualifications and appropriateness of proposed staff or requirements
for ``to be hired'' staff and consultants.
--Proposed staff level of effort.
--Appropriateness of defined roles including staff reporting channels
and that of any proposed consultants or other collaborating department
of health entities.
--Clear lines of authority among the proposed staff within and between
participating organizations, as applicable.
--Inclusion and/or plan for communicating program activities and
outcomes with senior state health officials.
B. Factor 2: Evaluation (25%)
The degree to which expected results are appropriate for
objectives and activities.
Appropriateness of the proposed data collection (including
any demographic data to be collected), analysis and reporting
procedures.
Suitability of process, outcome, and impact measures.
Clarity of the intent and plans to assess and document
progress toward achieving objectives, planned activities, and intended
outcomes.
Potential for the proposed project to contribute toward
improving the health status of, and/or reducing barriers to, health
care experienced by the targeted minority populations.
Soundness of the plan to document the project for
replication by other state/local and territorial offices of minority
health.
Soundness of the plan to disseminate project results.
C. Factor 3: Objectives (20%)
Merit of the objectives.
Relevance to the OMH Program purpose and expectations, and
the stated problem to be addressed by the proposed project.
Degree to which the objectives are stated in measurable
terms.
Attainability of the objectives in the stated time frames.
D. Factor 4: Background (15%)
Demonstrated knowledge of the stated problem at the state
and/or local level, as applicable.
Significance and prevalence of any identified health
problem(s) or health disparities issue(s) in the state/territory.
Extent to which the applicant demonstrates access to the
target population/community, and whether it is well positioned and
accepted within the population/community to be served, as applicable.
Extent and documented outcome of past/current efforts and
activities with the target population, as applicable.
Applicant's ability to manage and evaluate the project as
determined by:
[cir] The applicant organization's experience in managing project/
activities involving the target population.
[cir] The applicant's organizational structure and proposed project
organizational structure.
2. Review and Selection Process
Accepted State Partnership Program applications will be reviewed
for technical merit in accordance with PHS policies. Applications will
be evaluated by an Objective Review Committee (ORC). Committee members
are chosen for their expertise in minority health, health disparities,
and their understanding of the unique health problems and related
issues confronted by the racial and ethnic minority populations in the
United States. Funding decisions will be determined by the Deputy
Assistant Secretary for Minority Health who will take under
consideration the recommendations and ratings of the ORC.
3. Anticipated Award Date
September 1, 2007.
Section VI. Award Administration Information
1. Award Notices
Successful applicants will receive a notification letter from the
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Minority Health and a Notice of Grant
Award (NGA), signed by the OPHS Grants Management Officer. The NGA
shall be the only binding, authorizing document between the recipient
and the Office of Minority
[[Page 32122]]
Health. Unsuccessful applicants will receive notification from OPHS.
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
In accepting this award, the grantee stipulates that the award and
any activities thereunder are subject to all provisions of 45 CFR parts
74 and 92, currently in effect or implemented during the period of the
grant.
The DHHS Appropriations Act requires that, when issuing statements,
press releases, requests for proposals, bid solicitations, and other
documents describing projects or programs funded in whole or in part
with Federal money, all grantees shall clearly state the percentage and
dollar amount of the total costs of the program or project which will
be financed with Federal money and the percentage and dollar amount of
the total costs of the project or program that will be financed by non-
governmental sources.
3. Reporting Requirements
A successful applicant under this notice will submit: (1) Semi-
annual 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 ``Monitoring and Reporting Program
Performance,'' 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.
Uniform Data Set: The Uniform Data Set (UDS) is a web-based system
used by OMH grantees to electronically report progress data to OMH. It
allows OMH to more clearly and systematically link grant activities to
OMH-wide goals and objectives, and document programming impacts and
results. All OMH grantees are required to report program information
via the UDS (www.dsgonline.com/omh/uds ). Training will be
provided to all new grantees on the use of the UDS system during the
annual grantee meeting.
Grantees will be informed of the progress report due dates and
means of submission. Instructions and report format will be provided
prior to the required due date. The Annual Financial Status Report is
due no later than 90 days after the close of each budget period. The
final progress report and Financial Status Report are due 90 days after
the end of the project period. Instructions and due dates will be
provided prior to required submission.
Section VII. Agency Contacts
For application kits, submission of applications, and information
on budget and business aspects of the application, please contact:
WilDon Solutions, Office of Grants Management Operations Center, 1515
Wilson Boulevard, Third Floor Suite 310, Arlington, VA 22209 at 1-888-
203-6161, email OPHSgrantinfo@teamwildon.com, or fax 703-351-1138.
For questions related to the State Partnership Program or
assistance in preparing a grant proposal, contact Ms. Sonsiere Cobb-
Souza, Acting Director, Division of Program Operations, Office of
Minority Health, Tower Building, Suite 600, 1101 Wootton Parkway,
Rockville, MD 20852. Ms. Cobb-Souza can be reached by telephone at
(240) 453-8444; or by e-mail at sonsiere.cobb-souza@hhs.gov.
For additional technical assistance, contact the OMH Regional
Minority Health Consultant for your region listed in your grant
application kit.
For health-related information, call the OMH Resource Center
(OMHRC) at 1-800-444-6472.
Section VIII. Other Information
1. Background Information
Many aspects of health in the U.S. have improved; however,
significant racial and ethnic disparities remain. The prevalence of
overweight in 2003-04 was significantly higher among Hispanic and Black
children than white children, and approximately 45 percent of black and
37 percent of Hispanic adults were obese compared to 30 percent of
whites.\3\ In 2005, 18.1 percent of Native American/Alaska Natives
reported frequent mental distress (14 or more mentally unhealthy days)
compared to 9.6 percent of whites.\4\ Higher percentages of Blacks
(11.8) and Hispanics (10.2) also reported frequent mental distress than
whites. American Indians/Alaska Natives also had the highest prevalence
of asthma in 2002, when 11.6 percent of that population reported having
asthma compared to 7.6 percent of whites.\5\ Heart disease is the
leading cause of death for men and women in the U.S.; the 2002 age-
adjusted death rates for diseases of the heart were 30 percent higher
among Blacks than whites. The mortality rates for infants in Black
(13.6), American Indian/Alaska Native (8.7), and Puerto Rican (8.2)
mothers all exceeded the rate for infants of white mothers (5.7) in
2003. Annual influenza vaccination can lessen the risk of
hospitalization and death among persons 65 years of age and over and
also prevent influenza-related complications for persons 18-64 years of
age with medical conditions. Influenza vaccination coverage among
adults 50-64 years of age was about 30 percent lower for non-Hispanic
Blacks and Hispanic persons than non-Hispanic white persons. Similarly,
influenza vaccination rate among adults 65 years of age and over were
about 30 percent lower for non-Hispanic Blacks and Hispanic persons
than for non-Hispanic whites.\6\
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\3\ 2004 Fact Sheet--Obesity Still a Major Problem, New Data
Show, NCHS, Hyattsville, MD, 2006.
\4\ Health Related Quality of Life Survey, CDC, National Center
for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, 2006.
\5\ Asthma Prevalence and Control Characteristics by Race/
Ethnicity--United States, 2002, MMWR Weekly, CDC, Fedruary 27, 2004.
\6\ Health, United States, National Center for Health Statistics
(NCHS), Hyattsville, MD, November 2006.
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Health care workforce diversity is considered to be important in
health care research, education, administration, and policy to provide
both role models and to shape a health care system that meets the needs
of all individuals. Diversity not only increases the opportunities for
race- and language-concordant physician visits but also has the
potential to improve cultural competence at the system, organizational,
and provider levels through appropriate program design and policies,
organizational commitment to culturally competent care, and cross-
cultural education of colleagues. Research has shown that Blacks and
Hispanics often see care from physicians of their own race or ethnicity
because of personal preference and language, not just because of
geographic convenience. Racial and ethnic concordance leads to
increases in participatory visits, patient satisfaction, and reports of
receipt of preventive care. It is also noted that minority physicians
are more likely than their white colleagues to practice in underserved
minority communities.\7\
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\7\ National Healthcare Disparities Report, U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services, Agency for Health Care Research and
Quality (AHRQ), Rockville, MD, December 2006.
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2. Healthy People 2010
The Public Health Service (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.healthypeople.gov and copies of the document may be
downloaded. Copies of the Healthy
[[Page 32123]]
People 2010: Volumes I and II can be purchased by calling (202) 512-
1800 (cost $70.00 for printed version; $20.00 for CD-ROM). Another
reference is the Healthy People 2010 Final Review--2001.
For one free copy of the Healthy People 2010, contact: The National
Center for Health Statistics, Division of Data Services, 3311 Toledo
Road, Hyattsville, MD 20782, or by telephone at (301) 458-4636. Ask for
HHS Publication No. (PHS) 99-1256. This document may also be downloaded
from: http://www.healthypeople.gov.
3. Definitions
For purposes of this announcement, the following definitions apply:
Minority Populations--American Indian or Alaska Native; Asian;
Black or African American; Hispanic or Latino; and Native Hawaiian or
Other Pacific Islander (42 U.S.C. 300u-6, section 1707 of the Public
Health Service Act, as amended.)
Multicultural Partnerships--Multicultural, multi-racial, and multi-
ethnic entities comprising organizations and individuals that have come
together for a common purpose and that function independently on behalf
of the partnership's members to address health disparities within
communities of color.
State and Territorial Office of Minority Health--An entity formally
established by Executive Order, statute, or a state health officer to
improve the health of racial and ethnic populations.
Systems Change--An effort to ensure that the resources and
infrastructure necessary are available and accessible to address
minority health and health disparities as well as the public health and
health care needs of the American population in general. Structural and
functional components of the system must also be present--components
such as information, data, and evaluation capabilities; trained,
motivated, and culturally/linguistically appropriate staff; and
facilities, equipment, and technologies appropriate for the needs of
public health/health care professionals and the people they serve.
Dated: June 5, 2007.
Garth N. Graham,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Minority Health.
[FR Doc. 07-2893 Filed 6-8-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4150-29-P