Cooperative Agreement for the Operation and Enhancement of a National Public Health Information/Communication Network; Notice of Availability of Funds

[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 5 (Friday, January 7, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1159-1161]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-332]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
[Program Announcement 00029]


Cooperative Agreement for the Operation and Enhancement of a 
National Public Health Information/Communication Network; Notice of 
Availability of Funds

A. Purpose

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announces the 
availability of fiscal year (FY) 2000 funds for a cooperative agreement 
program for the operation and enhancement of a national public health 
information/communication network. This network/program addresses the 
``Healthy People 2000'' priority area of Educational and Community-
Based Programs.
    The purpose of this program is to coordinate coverage of public 
health emergencies with State and local health departments; enhance 
disease prevention and promotion efforts; provide opportunities to 
relate the stories of health prevention; identify methods to provide 
health communication education and training to State health 
departments; and to elicit the coordination and cooperation of other 
national, public, private, and voluntary agencies in promoting public 
health information.
    The purpose is also to foster national public health priorities 
which include strengthening science for public health action and 
increasing collaboration with health care partners for prevention and 
promoting healthy living at all stages of life. The network should 
continue to support the exchange and sharing of information methods and 
techniques for the improvement of coordination of public information 
initiatives between State health departments and provide a forum of 
continuing education opportunities in public health information. The 
network serves as a facilitator of communications through which 
Directors of State, territory and federal public affairs may share 
information and methods for the benefit of improved public health 
programs.

B. Eligible Applicants

    Applications may be submitted by public and private nonprofit 
organizations and by governments and their agencies; that is, 
universities, colleges, research institutions, hospitals, other public 
and private nonprofit organizations, State (i.e. public information 
Directors of State health departments) and their bona fide agents, and 
federally recognized Indian tribal governments, Indian tribes, or 
Indian tribal organizations.

    Note: Public Law 104-65 states that an organization described in 
section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 that engages 
in lobbying activities is not eligible to receive Federal funds 
constituting an award, grant, cooperative agreement, contract, loan 
or any other form.

C. Availability of Funds

    Approximately $200,000 is available in FY 2000 to fund one 
cooperative agreement. It is expected that the award will begin on or 
about May 1, 2000, and will be made for a 12-month budget period within 
a project period of up to 5 years. Funding estimates may vary and are 
subject to change.
    Continuation awards within the project period will be made on the 
basis of satisfactory progress as evidenced by required reports and the 
availability of funds.

D. Program Requirements

    In conducting activities to achieve the purpose of this program, 
the recipient will be responsible for the activities under 1., below, 
and CDC will be responsible for conducting activities under 2., below:
    1. Recipient Activities:
    a. Plan, conduct, and evaluate an annual national conference and, 
as required, regional conferences. The purpose of these conferences is 
to provide a forum for continuing educational opportunities in public 
health communications. Future conferences will serve as opportunities 
to update CDC staff on State level communication campaigns and provide 
a platform for CDC to update States on CDC information/communication 
campaigns.
    b. Publish periodic newsletters to keep State Health Departments 
informed of the programs, initiatives, and activities of interest to 
the States related to communication intervention programs that enrich 
and improve public health. Maintain, update, and publish an annual 
membership directory, design of network/association brochure, and 
journal articles.
    c. Assess electronic communication networking among State health 
departments and provide recommendations to States on equipment and 
financial needs to strengthen communication efforts. Electronically 
disseminate urgent public health announcements to general membership 
via the web-site data base. Develop electronic communication access for 
all public health officials (ex: high speed, secure Internet 
connectivity for access by local public health officials; satellite/
distance learning links for public health officials so they can be 
notified during public health crises). Expand the capacity to reach out 
through an established network to interact through the State network 
representatives to reach local health departments in relation to high 
priority communication issues.
    d. Evaluate the media training available for public health 
professionals and provide recommendations for workshops to all State 
health departments. Provide assistance to those State health 
departments wishing to implement media training.
    e. Network with key national public health groups that focus on 
Minority health and schools to evaluate existing public information 
material relating to public health programs such as, but not limited 
to, immunization, tobacco control, tuberculosis, violence and 
bioterrorism, emerging infectious diseases, occupational health, injury 
prevention, youth/children, women's health, health care gaps, food 
safety, pandemics.
    f. Develop materials, seminars and training for crisis management, 
that are culturally competent and linguistically appropriate, in order 
to communicate

[[Page 1160]]

with one voice to public health officials at all levels. Develop a 
communication plan/agreement integrated at the local, State and federal 
levels and improve information systems dedicated to communication/
community affairs activities about how to respond to the media and 
public if a crisis occurs that is multi-state or catastrophic in 
nature. Disseminate current information about the existing national 
response plan to Public Health priorities. Draft basic reference 
materials designed for target populations in the form of fact sheets 
available through multiple venues for the general public and media, for 
health care professionals in the event of Public Health priorities, 
such as actual bioterrorist events.
    g. Develop formalized communication methods through a liaison in 
each State who can network with each county. Develop fact sheets and 
press releases at State level on important national public health 
topics which could be customized for use by other State health 
departments.
    h. Focus educational efforts among sentinel health care 
professionals and others by promoting satellite courses i.e. public 
health response to bioterrorism. In preparation and planning for a 
disease pandemic, work with CDC to develop a State/local pandemic plan.
    i. As needs are identified, regional awareness campaigns will be 
designed through State health departments.
    j. Additionally, disseminate campaign updates and materials from 
CDC and elsewhere to State public information Directors. Provide 
liaisons to each CDC public information/communication campaign.
    2. CDC Activities:
    a. Provide technical assistance and consultation in the area of 
program development, implementation, and health communication 
campaigns.
    b. Provide technical assistance in the development of an annual 
conference for State, regional and national exchange of public health 
information.
    c. Provide technical assistance in defining the scope of training 
needs and proposed training materials to address those needs.

E. Application Content

    Use the information in the Cooperative Activities, Other 
Requirements, and Evaluation Criteria sections to develop the 
application content. Your application will be evaluated on the criteria 
listed, so it is important to follow them in laying out your program 
plan. The narrative should be no more than 25 double-spaced pages, 
printed on one side, with one inch margins, and unreduced font.
    Prior to the 25 page narrative, please provide a three page summary 
documenting evidence of a three year history in the operation of a 
national public health information/communication network, which 
includes at least one organizational representative from each state.

F. Application Submission and Deadline

    Submit the original and two copies of PHS 5161 (OMB Number 0937-
0189). Forms are in the application kit. On or before March 14, 2000, 
submit to the Grants Management Specialist identified in the ``Where To 
Obtain Additional Information'' Section of this announcement.
    Deadline: Application shall be considered as meeting the deadline 
if it is:
    1. Received on or before the deadline date; or
    2. Sent on or before the deadline date and received in time for 
submission to the independent review group. (Applicants must request a 
legibly dated U.S. Postal Service postmark or obtain a legibly dated 
receipt from a commercial carrier or U.S. Postal Service. Private 
metered postmarks shall not be acceptable as proof of timely mailing.)
    Late Applications: Applications which do not meet the criteria in 
(a) or (b) above are considered late applications, will not be 
considered, and will be returned to the applicant.

G. Evaluation Criteria

    The application will be evaluated against the following criteria:
    1. Background, Need, and Capacity (25 percent): The extent to which 
the applicant presents data and information documenting the capacity to 
accomplish the program, positive progress in related past or current 
activities or programs, and, as appropriate, need for the program. The 
extent to which the applicant demonstrates a 3-year history in 
conducting a national public health information communication program, 
which includes at least one organizational representative from each 
state.
    2. Goals and Objectives (15 percent): The extent to which the 
applicant includes goals which are relevant to the purpose of the 
proposal and feasible to accomplish during the project period, and the 
extent to which these are specific and measurable. The extent to which 
the applicant has included objectives which are feasible to accomplish 
during the budget period and project period, and which address all 
activities necessary to accomplish the purpose of the proposal.
    3. Methods and Staffing (25 percent): The extent to which the 
applicant provides: (1) A detailed description of proposed activities 
which are likely to achieve each objective and overall program goals, 
and which includes designation of responsibility for each action 
undertaken; (2) a reasonable and complete schedule for implementing all 
activities; and (3) a description of the roles of each unit, 
organization, or agency, and evidence of coordination, supervision, and 
degree of commitment of staff, organizations, and agencies involved in 
activities.
    4. Evaluation (25 percent): The extent to which the proposed 
evaluation system is detailed, addresses goals and objectives of the 
program, and will document program process, effectiveness, and impact. 
The extent to which the applicant demonstrates potential data sources 
for evaluation purposes and methods to evaluate the data sources, and 
documents staff availability, expertise, experience, and capacity to 
perform the evaluation. The extent to which a feasible plan for 
reporting evaluation results and using evaluation information for 
programmatic decisions is included.
    5. Collaboration (10 percent): The extent to which relationships 
between the program and other organizations, agencies, and health 
department units that will relate to the program or conduct related 
activities are clear, complete and provide for complementary or 
supplementary interactions. The extent to which coalition membership 
and roles are clear and appropriate. The extent to which the applicant 
provides evidence of at least one organizational representative from 
each State.
    6. Budget and Justification (not scored): The extent to which the 
applicant provides a detailed budget and narrative justification 
consistent with stated objectives and planned program activities.

H. Other Requirements

Technical Reporting Requirements

    Provide CDC with the original plus two copies of:
    1. Semiannual Progress reports;
    2. Financial status report, no more than 90 days after the end of 
the budget period;
    3. Final financial status report and performance report, 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

[[Page 1161]]

Information'' Section of this announcement. For descriptions of the 
following Other Requirements, see Attachment I in the application 
package.

AR-5 HIV Program Review Panel Requirements
AR-10 Smoke-Free Workplace Requirements
AR-11 Healthy People 2000
AR-12 Lobbying Restrictions
AR-20 Conference Support

I. Authority and Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number

    This program is authorized under Section 1704 (42 U.S.C. 300u-3) of 
the Public Health Service Act, as amended. The Catalog of Federal 
Domestic Assistance Number is 93.283.

J. Where to Obtain Additional Information

    This announcement and other announcements may be downloaded from 
www.cdc.gov.
    To receive additional written information and to request an 
application kit, call 1-888-GRANTS4 (1-888-472-6874). You will be asked 
to leave your name and address and will be instructed to identify the 
announcement number of interest.
    If you have questions after reviewing the contents of all the 
documents, business management technical assistance may be obtained 
from: Joanne Wojcik, Grants Management Specialist, Grants Management 
Branch, Procurement and Grants Office, Announcement 00029, Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2920 Brandywine Road, Suite 3000, 
Atlanta, GA 30341-4146, Telephone (770) 488-2717, Email address 
jcw6@cdc.gov.
    For program technical assistance, contact: Linda Leake, 
Administrative Officer, Office of Communication, Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, N.E., MS D25, Atlanta, GA 
30333, Telephone: (404) 639-7994, E Mail: ldl1@cdc.gov.

John L. Williams,
Director, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control 
and Prevention (CDC).
[FR Doc. 00-332 Filed 1-6-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P