Cooperative Agreements for a National System of Integrated Activities To Prevent HIV Infection and Other Serious Health Problems Among Students, Especially Postsecondary Students and Those in High- Risk Situations

[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 119 (Wednesday, June 19, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31124-31128]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-15556]



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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
[Announcement Number 532A]


Cooperative Agreements for a National System of Integrated 
Activities To Prevent HIV Infection and Other Serious Health Problems 
Among Students, Especially Postsecondary Students and Those in High-
Risk Situations

Introduction

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announces the 
availability of fiscal year (FY) 1996 funds for cooperative agreements 
to establish a national system of integrated activities for preventing 
HIV infection and other serious health problems among the nation's 
students, especially postsecondary students and those in high-risk 
situations. This program announcement is an amendment to Announcement 
Number 532 published in the Federal Register on June 16, 1995, pages 
31721 through 31724 [60 FR 31721]. (A cooperative agreement is a legal 
agreement in which CDC provides financial assistance and substantial 
programmatic assistance to the recipient during the project.)
    The CDC is committed to implementing the recommendations outlined 
in the External Review of HIV Prevention Strategies and the health 
promotion and disease prevention objectives of Healthy People 2000, a 
national activity to reduce morbidity and mortality and improve the 
quality of life. This program announcement is related to the priority 
areas of Health Promotion and Preventive Services with a particular 
focus on HIV Infection Objective 18.11, to ``Provide HIV education for 
students and staff in at least 90% of colleges and universities'';

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Objective 8.5, ``Increase to at least 50% the proportion of 
postsecondary institutions with institutionwide health promotion 
programs for students, faculty, and staff''; Objective 8.4, ``Increase 
to at least 75 percent the proportion of the Nation's elementary and 
secondary schools that provide planned and sequential kindergarten 
through 12th grade quality school health education''; and Objective 
8.6, ``Increase to at least 85 percent the proportion of workplaces 
with 50 or more employees that offer health promotion activities for 
their employees, preferably as part of a comprehensive employee health 
promotion program.'' The most recent description of CDC efforts to 
prevent HIV infection is included in Public Health Reports, including 
CDC efforts to prevent HIV infection among youth. (To order a copy of 
the External Review of HIV Prevention Strategies, Healthy People 2000, 
and Public Health Reports, see the section on Reference Materials.)

Authority

    This program is authorized under sections 311(c) [42 U.S.C. 
243(c)], and 317(k) [42 U.S.C. 247(k)] of the Public Health Service 
Act, as amended. Regulations are set forth in 42 CFR Part 51b.

Eligible Applicants

    To be considered eligible for this announcement, applicants must 
meet all five of the criteria listed below. Applicants must provide 
evidence of eligibility in a cover letter to the Grants Management 
Officer. Please attach this cover letter and any supportive 
documentation to your application.
    1. Eligible applicants must be a national organization whose focus 
is education, health, or social service that also is private, 
nonprofit, professional, or voluntary. Postsecondary institutions are 
not eligible to apply for funding under this announcement. NOTE: Public 
Law 104-65 dated December 19, 1995, prohibits an organization described 
in section 501(c)(4) of IRS Code of 1986, that engages in lobbying 
activities to influence the Federal Government, from receiving Federal 
funds.
    2. The grantee, as the direct and primary recipient of grant funds, 
must perform a substantive role in carrying out project activities and 
not merely serve as a conduit for an award to another party or to 
provide funds to an ineligible party.
    3. Eligible applicants must have affiliate offices, organizations, 
or constituencies in a minimum of 10 States and territories.
    4. The organization must possess a documented history of directly 
serving postsecondary constituencies, institutions, or programs through 
its offices at the national level for at least 24 months prior to 
submission of the application to CDC.
    5. Eligible applicants must have the organizational capacity to 
help develop an ongoing national system of integrated activities to 
prevent HIV infection and other serious health problems among students, 
especially postsecondary students and those in high-risk situations.
    National organizations that received funding for a priority area 
under Program Announcement 532 in FY 1995 are ineligible to apply for 
funding under this announcement. These organizations include the 
American College Health Association, Association of American Colleges 
and Universities, American Association of Community Colleges, and the 
American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education.

Smoke-Free Workplace

    CDC strongly encourages all grant recipients to provide a smoke-
free workplace and to promote the nonuse of all tobacco products, and 
Public Law 103-227, the Pro-Children Act of 1994, prohibits smoking in 
certain facilities that receive Federal funds in which education, 
library, day care, health care, and early childhood development 
services are provided to children.

Availability of Funds

    Approximately $1 million is available in FY 1996 to fund 
approximately 4 awards. It is expected that the average award will be 
$250,000, ranging from $200,000 to $300,000. It is expected that awards 
will begin on or about September 25, 1996, and will be made for a 12-
month budget period within a project period of up to 4 years. Funding 
estimates may vary and are subject to change. Continuation awards for 
new budget periods will be based on satisfactory performance, receipt 
of an acceptable continuation application, and the availability of 
funds.
    Applicants may apply for funding to carry out activities in one or 
more of the following priority areas:

Priority One--Educate Policy and Decision-Makers

    To educate and encourage policy and decision-making members of 
postsecondary institutions across the nation to support programs to 
prevent HIV infection and other serious health problems among students, 
especially postsecondary students and those in high-risk situations.

Priority Two--Support Institution-Wide Health Promotion Programs

    To build the capacity of postsecondary institutions across the 
nation to implement comprehensive integrated strategies designed to 
prevent HIV infection and other serious health problems as part of 
institution-wide health promotion and disease prevention programs for 
postsecondary students, especially those in high-risk situations.

Priority Three--Support Preservice Education

    To provide technical assistance and training to personnel in 
postsecondary institutions across the nation about the skills that 
health, education, social service, and other professionals need in 
order to help young people, including students in grades K-12, 
postsecondary institutions, and those in high-risk situations, avoid 
HIV infection and other serious health problems.
    Funds must be used for categorical activities to prevent HIV 
infection among youth. Activities can also be included that support the 
integration of HIV activities as part of broader programs to improve 
the health of youth (e.g., related STD and pregnancy prevention 
programs; related alcohol and other drug prevention programs; related 
institution-wide health promotion programs for students, faculty, and 
staff). These funds may not be used to conduct research.

Purpose

    The purpose of this program is to support national organizations in 
establishing an ongoing national system of integrated activities to 
prevent HIV infection and other serious health problems among students, 
especially postsecondary students and those in high-risk situations.

Program Requirements

    In conducting activities to achieve the purpose of this program, 
the recipient will be responsible for the activities under A. Recipient 
Activities, and CDC will be responsible for the activities listed under 
B. CDC Activities.

A. Recipient Activities

    1. Collaborate with constituents; other national organizations 
whose foci are postsecondary institutions; community planning groups; 
State and local education, health, and social service agencies; and CDC 
to develop a national system to achieve the purpose of this program 
announcement.
    2. Establish and implement an operational plan that could include, 
but is not limited to:

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    (a) Including as a priority within the organization, health 
promotion and disease prevention programs to reduce HIV risk behaviors 
of students, especially postsecondary students and those in high-risk 
situations.
    (b) Developing and promoting the implementation of State, and local 
policies designed to reduce the HIV risk behaviors of students, 
especially postsecondary students and those in high-risk situations.
    (c) Developing and promoting the implementation of activities 
designed to prevent HIV risk behaviors among students, especially 
postsecondary students and those in high-risk situations.
    (d) Educating and encouraging policy and decision-making members of 
other national organizations and their constituents, to support HIV 
prevention education programs for students, especially postsecondary 
students and those in high-risk situations.
    3. Evaluate the project's effectiveness in achieving goals and 
objectives.
    4. Disseminate programmatic information to other interested 
recipients as well as CDC through appropriate methods that include:
    (a) Identifying and submitting pertinent programmatic information 
for incorporation into a computerized database of health information 
and health promotion resources, such as the Combined Health Information 
Database (CHID).
    (b) Sharing information through electronic bulletin boards, such as 
the Comprehensive Health Education Network (CHEN).
    5. Participate with CDC and other appropriate agencies in planning 
and convening meetings that support the purpose of this program 
announcement. The budget request should include the cost of a five-day 
trip to Atlanta for two individuals to attend a CDC annual conference 
and a two-day trip to Atlanta for two individuals to attend an 
additional meeting.

B. CDC Activities

    1. Provide and periodically update information related to the 
purposes or activities of this program announcement.
    2. Collaborate with national, State, and local education and health 
agencies and other relevant organizations in planning and conducting 
national strategies designed to strengthen programs for preventing HIV 
infection and other serious health problems among youth.
    3. Provide substantial programmatic consultation and guidance 
related to program planning, implementation, and evaluation; assessment 
of program objectives; and dissemination of successful strategies, 
experiences, and evaluation reports.
    4. Plan meetings of national, State, and local education agencies 
and other appropriate agencies to address issues and program activities 
related to improving the health of postsecondary students; and 
strengthening the capacity of education, health, and other relevant 
agencies to prevent HIV infection and other serious health problems 
among youth, especially those in high-risk situations.
    5. Assist in the evaluation of program activities.

Review and Evaluation Criteria

    Each application will be allocated a total of 100 points, and will 
be reviewed and evaluated according to the following criteria:

A. Background/Need (10 Points)

    The extent to which the applicant justifies the need for the 
activities including:
    1. Identifying target populations;
    2. Identifying the barriers in reaching the target population; and
    3. Identifying what might move HIV prevention efforts forward 
within the target population.

B. Capacity and Impact (30 Points)

    The extent to which the applicant demonstrates the capacity and 
ability to:
    1. Develop and conduct the proposed activities;
    2. Involve postsecondary institutions or programs; and,
    3. Institutionalize activities that can reduce HIV infection among 
students, especially postsecondary students and those students who may 
be in high-risk situations.
    4. Perform a substantive role in carrying out project activities 
and not merely serve as a conduit for an award to another party or to 
provide funds to an ineligible party.

C. Goals and Objectives (10 Points)

    1. Goals. The extent to which the applicant has submitted realistic 
goals for the projected four-year project period.
    2. Objectives. The extent to which the applicant has submitted 
specific, measurable, and feasible objectives for the one-year budget 
period that directly relate to the applicant's goals.

D. Operational Plan (15 Points)

    1. The extent to which proposed activities:
    (a) Involve the applicant's constituencies nation-wide.
    (b) Are likely to reduce HIV infection and related health problems 
among students, especially postsecondary students and those in high 
risk situations.
    (c) Achieve the stated objectives within the first budget period.
    2. The extent to which the applicant includes a reasonable timeline 
for conducting proposed activities.
    3. The extent to which the applicant provides a brief description 
of the activities anticipated for years 2, 3, and 4 of the project.

E. Project Management and Staffing (15 Points)

    The extent to which the applicant identifies staff and other 
agencies that have the responsibility and authority to carry out each 
activity, including:
    1. Organizational charts demonstrating that the staff have the 
authority needed to carry out those responsibilities.
    2. Job descriptions and curricula vitae demonstrating that the 
staff have backgrounds that qualify them to fulfill the proposed 
responsibilities.
    3. Commitment of at least one full-time staff member to provide 
direction for the proposed activities.
    4. Letters from collaborating organizations indicating their intent 
and capacity to carry out their designated responsibilities.

F. Sharing Experiences and Resources (5 Points)

    The extent to which the applicant indicates how it will share 
effective materials and activities.

G. Collaborating (5 Points)

    The extent to which the applicant describes how it will collaborate 
with CDC and with other relevant agencies.

H. Evaluation (10 Points)

    The extent to which the applicant:
    1. Identifies how it will monitor progress in meeting objectives.
    2. Identifies how program effectiveness will be measured and 
presents a reasonable plan for obtaining data, reporting results, and 
using the results for programmatic decisions.

I. Budget and Accompanying Justification (Not Scored)

    The extent to which the applicant provides a detailed and clear 
budget narrative consistent with the stated objectives and planned 
activities of the project.

Executive Order 12372 Review

    This program is not subject to the Executive Order 12372 review,

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Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.

Public Health Systems Reporting Requirements

    This program is not subject to the Public Health Systems Reporting 
Requirements.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number

    The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number is 93.938.

Other Requirements

Paperwork Reduction Act

    Projects that involve the collection of information from 10 or more 
individuals and funded by the cooperative agreement will be subject to 
review and approval by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under 
the Paperwork Reduction Act.

HIV/AIDS Requirements

    Recipients must comply with the document entitled: ``Interim 
Revision of Requirements of the Content of AIDS-Related Written 
Materials, Pictorials, Audiovisuals, Questionnaires, Survey 
Instruments, and Educational Sessions in Centers for Disease Control 
and Prevention Assistance Programs'' (June 15, 1992), a copy of which 
is included in the application kit. The names and affiliations of the 
review panel members must be listed on the Assurance of Compliance form 
CDC 0.1113, which is also included in the application kit. In progress 
reports, the recipient must submit the program review panel's report 
indicating all materials have been reviewed and approved.

Application Submission and Deadline

    The original and two copies of the application Form PHS-5161-1 
(Revised 7/92) (OMB Number 0937-0189) must be submitted to Sharron P. 
Orum, Grants Management Officer, Grants Management Branch, Procurement 
and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 
255 East Paces Ferry Road, NE., Room 300, Mailstop E18, Atlanta, GA 
30305, Attention: Marsha Driggans, on or before August 9, 1996. 
Facsimile copies will not be accepted.
    1. Deadline: Applications shall be considered as meeting the 
deadline if they are either:
    (a) Received on or before the deadline date. or,
    (b) 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 mail carrier or U.S. Postal Service. Private 
metered postmarks shall not be accepted as proof of timely mailing.
    2. Late Applications: Applications that do not meet the criteria in 
1(a) or 1(b) above are considered late applications. Late applications 
will not be considered in the current competition and will be returned 
to the applicant.

Where To Obtain Additional Information

    A complete program description, information on application 
procedures, application package, and business management technical 
assistance may be obtained from Marsha Driggans, Grants Management 
Specialist, Grants Management Branch, Procurement and Grants Office, 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 255 East Paces Ferry 
Rd., NE., Room 300, Mailstop E18, Atlanta, GA, 30305; telephone (404) 
842-6523, E-mail mdd2@opspgo1.em.cdc.gov, facsimile (404) 842-6513.
    Programmatic technical assistance may be obtained from Elizabeth 
Majestic, Chief, Special Populations Program Section, Program 
Development and Services Branch, Division of Adolescent and School 
Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health 
Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 4770 
Buford Highway, NE., Mailstop K31, Atlanta, GA 30341-3724, telephone 
(404) 488-5356, E-mail eam0@ccdash1.em.cdc.gov, facsimile (404) 488-
5972.
    Please refer to Announcement 532A when requesting information or 
submitting an application.
    Important Notice: Atlanta, Georgia, will be the host of the 1996 
Summer Olympics Games, July 19 through August 4, 1996. As a result of 
this event, it is likely that the Procurement and Grants Office (PGO), 
CDC, may experience delays in the receipt of both regular and overnight 
mail deliveries. Contacting PGO employees during this time frame may 
also be hindered due to the possible telephone disruptions. To the 
extent authorized, please consider the use of voice mail, E-mail, and 
facsimile transmission to the maximum extent practicable. However, do 
not fax lengthy documents or grant applications.
    You may obtain this announcement from one of two Internet sites on 
the actual publication date: CDC's homepage at www.cdc.gov or at 
the Government Printing Office homepage (including free on-line access 
to the Federal Register at www.access.gpo.gov).

Reference Materials

    (1) Potential applicants may obtain a copy of Healthy People 2000 
(Full Report, Stock No. 017-001-00474-0), Healthy People 2000 (Summary 
Report, Stock No. 017-001-00473-1), and Adolescent Health (Volume 1, 
Stock No. 052-00301234-1; Volume 2, Stock No. 052-003-01235-9; Volume 
3, Stock No. 052-003-01236-7), referenced in the Introduction, through 
the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, 
Washington, DC 20402-9325, telephone (202) 512-1800, facsimile (202) 
512-2250.
    (2) Potential applicants may obtain a copy of the External Review 
of HIV Prevention Strategies, from the Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention, National Center for HIV, STD, and TB Prevention,(name of 
Center pending), Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd., 
Mailstop D21, Atlanta, GA 30333; telephone (404) 639-0900.
    (3) Potential applicants may obtain a copy of Public Health 
Reports, Volume 106, Number 6, from the National AIDS Information 
Clearinghouse, P.O. Box 6003, Rockville, MD, 20850; telephone (800) 
458-5231, select option 2.
    (4) Potential applicants can obtain additional information about 
HIV Prevention Community Planning Groups, by contacting Mary 
Willingham, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center 
for HIV, STD and TB Prevention (name of Center pending), Division of 
HIV/AIDS Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd., Mailstop D21, Atlanta, GA 30333; 
telephone (404) 639-0965.
    (5) Potential applicants may obtain a copy of The Second Annual 
National School Health Conference Proceedings, from the Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease 
Prevention and Health Promotion, Division of Adolescent and School 
Health, 1600 Clifton Rd., Mailstop K31, Atlanta, GA 30333; telephone 
(404) 488-5324.

Special Guidelines for Technical Assistance Workshop

    A one-day technical assistance workshop will be held in Washington, 
DC, approximately two weeks after the publication date in the Federal 
Register. The purpose of this meeting is to help potential applicants 
to:
    1. Understand the scope and intent of Announcement 532A; and
    2. Understand the Public Health Service grants policies, 
applications, and review procedures.

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    Attendance at this workshop is not mandatory. Applicants who are 
currently funded by CDC may not use project funds to attend this 
workshop.
    Each potential applicant may send no more than two representatives 
to this meeting. Please provide the names of the persons that are 
planning to attend this meeting to Elizabeth Majestic, Chief, Special 
Populations Section, Division of Adolescent and School Health; 
telephone (404) 488-5356; no later than July 2, 1996.

    Dated: June 11, 1996.
Joseph R. Carter,
Acting Associate Director for Management and Operations, Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
[FR Doc. 96-15556 Filed 6-18-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P