FEDERAL AGENCY:

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

AUTHORIZATION:

Public Health Service Act, as amended, Title XVII, Section 1707(e)(1), 42 U.S.C. 300u et seq.

OBJECTIVES:

To support minority community health coalitions to develop, implement, and conduct demonstration projects which coordinate integrated community-based screening and outreach services, and include linkages for access and treatment to minorities in high-risk, low-income communities; and to support minority community health coalitions involving non-traditional partners in carrying out projects to increase the educational understanding of HIV/AIDS, increase testing, and improve access to HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment serious.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:

Project Grants. Place Cursor Here for Definition

USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:

Funds are to be used to conduct collaborative efforts to modify the behavioral and/or environmental conditions which are implicated in the health problems of minority groups: for example, cancer; cardiovascular disease and stroke; chemical dependency; diabetes; homicide, suicide, and unintentional injuries; infant mortality; human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). These projects are to address socio-cultural and linguistic barriers to care and should have the potential for replication in similar communities. Funds are not to be used for the provision of health care services, construction, augmentation of ongoing Office of Minority Health (OMH) supported demonstrations, or to supplant ongoing project activities.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:   Eligible applicants are private nonprofit community-based minority serving organizations which will serve as the grantee organization for the coalition.

Beneficiary Eligibility:   Members of minority groups: American Indians or Alaska Natives; Asians; Blacks or African Americans; Hispanics or Latinos; Native Hawaiians or other Pacific Islanders; or subgroups of these populations.

Credentials/Documentation:   Proof of nonprofit status is required as part of the application submission.

Pre-application Coordination:   This program does not require preapplication coordination. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office of official designated as the single point of contact in the State for more information on the process the State requires to be filed with applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review. This program is also covered by the Public Health System reporting requirements.

Application Procedure:   Requests for the standard PHS application form (SF PHS 1561-1, Revised July 2000) and instructions for submission should be directed to Ms. Karen Campbell, Grants Management Officer, Office of Minority Health, Office of Public Health and Science, Office of the Secretary, Rockwall II Building, 5515 Security Lane, Suite 1000, Rockville, Maryland 20852. Telephone: (301) 594-0758. A signed original and two copies of the application are to be sent to the above address. Applications are screened upon receipt for completeness, responsiveness and conformance to the program announcement. Those applications judged to be unacceptable based on this initial screening will be returned.

Award Procedure:   Accepted applications will be reviewed by a review panel that will make recommendations on the technical merit based on the published criteria. After considering the recommendations of the panel, the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Minority Health, will make a final decision on funding projects and a notice of grant award will be issued.

Deadlines:   Contact Headquarters Office listed below for application deadlines.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:   From 90 to 120 days.

Appeals:   None.

Renewals:   None.

ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:   This program has no statutory formula or matching requirements.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:   Grant projects can have a 3-year project period with 12-month budget periods. Following the initial budget period, continued funding is subject to the availability of funds and satisfactory program performance. Payments will be made either on a monthly cash request basis or under a letter of credit. Necessary instructions regarding payment procedure will be provided at the time the notice of grant award is issued.

POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:   Grantees must submit progress reports with final performance report due 90 days after the end of the project period. Financial Status Reports are due 90 days after the end of budget period with final financial status report due 90 days after the end of the project period.

Audits:   In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A- 133 (Revised, June 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $300,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $300,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133. For nonprofit recipients, audits are to be carried out in accordance with the provision of OMB Circular No. A-133.

Records:   Financial records, supporting documents, statistical records, and all other records pertinent to a grant shall be retained for a minimum of 3 years, or longer pending completion and resolution of any audit findings.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

Account Identification:   75-0120-0-1-551.

Obligations:   (Grants) FY 01 $4,904,392; FY 02 est $5,005,666; and FY 03 est $5,005,666.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:  
Range from $190,000 to $500,000.

In FY 2001, 16 continuation awards and 17 new awards were made. It is expected that 17 continuation awards and 17-25 new awards will be made in FY 02. In FY 03 continuation funding is expected for all awards made in FY 02.

REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:

45 CFR 74 and 92. Specific program requirements are contained in the Federal Register Notice, the application instructions, and the PHS Grants Policy Statement.

INFORMATION CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office:  
None. Program Management Contact: Office of Minority Health, Division of Program Operations, 1101 Wootton Parkway, Suite 600, Rockville, MD 20852. Telephone: (240) 453-8444. Grants Management Contact:, Office of Grants Management, 1101 Wootton Parkway, Suite 550, Rockville, MD 20852, Telephone (240) 453-8822.

Headquarters Office:  
Eric C. West, Tower Building Suite 550, 1101 Wootton Parkway, Rockville, Maryland 20852 Email: eric.west@hhs.gov Phone: (240) 453-8822.

Web Site Address:  
https://minorityhealth.hhs.gov

EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:

The following are examples of activities funded under this program; 1) Developing a program to prevent the incidence, increase the diagnosis and improve the management of childhood asthma through educational sessions, screenings, events, case management and ongoing support; 2) conducting vision assessment, eye health education and referral to eye doctors, disseminating health education materials in 7 languages, and providing diabetes screening, counseling and referral; and 3)developing outreach and education activities, complemented by efforts of faith-based organizations, to address HIV in the African American community.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:

Complete review criteria are published in the Federal Register Notice or can be obtained from the Program contact. Listed below are some criteria used to review applications: 1) consistency of project's goals and objectives with the Office of Minority Health's mission; 2) coherence and feasibility of methodology and activities selected to address the problem as evidence in the proposed implementation plan; 3) strength of proposed grant organization's management capability; 4) adequacy of qualifications, experience and cultural competence of proposed personnel; and 5) strength of analysis of potential impact or innovation the project proposes to generate.