FEDERAL AGENCY:

HEALTH RESOURCES AND SERVICES ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

AUTHORIZATION:

Public Health Service Act, Section 1252, as amended, Public Law 104-166, 42 U.S.C. 300d-52.

OBJECTIVES:

To improve access to health and other services for individuals with TBI and their families.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:

Project Grants. Place Cursor Here for Definition

USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:

Project grants to States to improve access to health and other TBI-related services for people of all ages is established within HRSA. Any State seeking TBI grant funds is required to agree to establish or have an advisory board within the appropriate health department of the State or within another department as designated by the Chief Executive Officer of the State. The Board's composition as specified must include representatives of the involved State agencies; public and nonprofit private health related organizations; disability advisory or planning groups; members of an organization or foundation representing individuals with TBI; State and local injury control programs if they exist, and a substantial number of individuals with TBI and/or their family members. There are three categories of project grants: (1) State planning grants, (2) State implementation grants and (3) Post Demonstration grants. The State planning grants are intended to support the development of four core capacity components to provide State TBI infrastructure. State implementation grants are intended for States that have the four core capacity components in place. These grants support activities that represent the next logical step(s) in building a statewide system to assure access to comprehensive and coordinated TBI services. Implementation grants can address a wide range of activities and should reflect gaps or needed system change identified through the statewide TBI needs assessment. TBI Post Demonstration grants allow for new projects for activities previously begun in a State's Implementation grant.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:   Only State governments are eligible to apply for funding under the TBI grant program. The application for implementation funds may only come from the State agency designated as the lead for TBI services. While planning grant applications may emanate from an agency or office within the State responsible for planning and/or program coordination, Post Demonstration application may only come from State's that have completed a 3 year Implementation grant. The involvement of the State maternal and child health program in both grant categories is expected. Only one application from each State may enter the review process and be considered for an award under this program.

Beneficiary Eligibility:   State TBI organizations will benefit.

Credentials/Documentation:   The basis for determining the allowance and allocability of costs charged to Health Resources and Services Administration grants is set forth in DHHS Regulations 45 CFR 92, Subpart C, for State and local governments. Cost will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87 for State and local governments.

Pre-application Coordination:   This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.

Application Procedure:   Application is made by submitting the standard PHS application form, PHS-5161-1. The standard application forms, as furnished by PHS and required by 45 CFR, 92 must be used for this program. Application kits are obtained by writing to the HRSA Grants Application Center, 901 Russell Avenue, Suite 450, Gaithersburg, MD 20879. Contact: HRSA Grants Application Center. Telephone: 1-877-477-2123; FAX Number: 1-877-477-2345; E-mail address: HRSAGAC@hrsa.gov.

Award Procedure:   Applications are reviewed by a peer review committee of experts and persons with TBI or their family members who are generally nongovernmental. Applications are reviewed based on their merit, recommended for approval or disapproval, and ranked according to a point score. Final decisions are made by the Associate Administrator, Maternal and Child Health Bureau.

Deadlines:   Contact the HRSA Grants Application Center for application deadlines.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:   Final decisions are made approximately 2 to 3 months after receipt of applications.

Appeals:   Not applicable.

Renewals:   No renewals; grants are approved for 1 year.

ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:   States must make available nonfederal cash or in-kind matching funds in an amount that is not less than $1 for each $2 of Federal funds provided under the grant.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:   Awards are made annually in accordance with the project period method of awarding grants. Payments are made through a Letter of Credit or Cash Demand System. Project periods are for 1 year.

POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:   Annual program reports, financial status reports, program service reports, and special reports must be submitted as required.

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. In addition, 45 CFR 74.26 requires that for-profit recipients and subrecipients have an audit performed in accordance with Government Auditing Standards or Circular No. A-133.

Records:   Financial records must be kept available for 3 years after the submission of expenditure reports and 3 years after the final disposition of non-expendable property. If questions remain, such as those raised as a result of an audit, records must be retained until the problem is resolved.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

Account Identification:   75-0350-0-1-550.

Obligations:   (Grants) FY 01 $4,800,588; FY 02 est $7,500,000; and FY 03 est $7,500,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:  
$100,000 to $250,000; average $249,252.

In fiscal year 2001, 45 total projects were funded. It is estimated that between 28 and 45 total projects will be supported in fiscal years 2002 and 2003. The goal of the TBI State grant program is to assure all States and Territories have TBI infrastructure.

REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:

Pertinent information may be obtained by contacting the Maternal and Child Health Bureau, Grants Management Branch, Room 18-12, Parklawn Building, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857. Telephone: (301) 443-1440.

INFORMATION CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office:   None. Administration for Community Living - Independent Living Administration.

Headquarters Office:   Elizabeth Leef 330 C Street SW, Washington, District of Columbia 20201 Email: elizabeth.leef@acl.hhs.gov Phone: (202) 475-2482

Web Site Address:  
http://www.acl.gov

EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:

New York State Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Program for Culturally Competent TBI Services in NY City, Arizona KIDS with TBI, Oregon TBI Link Improving Access to Services for Individuals with TBI and Alabama an Interactive Community Based Model for Children with TBI.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:

Applications are reviewed by nonfederal consultants who make recommendations to the Secretary of the Department. The Secretary will approve projects which best promote the purposes of TBI demonstration grants. Review criteria: The following review criteria apply to the State planning grant: (1) The strength of the required statewide advisory board; (2) the adequacy of the State's proposed method for developing a statewide needs assessment; (3) the adequacy of the State's proposed method for linking its plan of action to the findings of the statewide needs assessment; (4) the extent to which the proposal reflects the involvement of necessary public/private organizations and agencies to assure a comprehensive approach; (5) the qualifications and experience established for the designated lead person for TBI within the State; (6) the reasonableness of the proposed budget, soundness of the arrangements for fiscal management, effectiveness of use of personnel and likelihood of project completion within the proposed grant period; and (7) the adequacy of proposed methodology to assure that full core capacity is developed during the grant period. The following review criteria apply to the State implementation grant: (1) the adequacy of the State's evidence that the four components for core capacity are in place; (2) the relevance of the goals and objectives to the identified needs described in the statewide needs assessment; (3) the soundness of the plan for evaluating progress in achieving project objectives and outcomes; (4) the adequacy of the plan for organizing and carrying out the project; (5) the extent to which the involvement and participation of TBI survivors, families, and organizations are considered in project implementation; (6) the extent to which the project involves a multi-disciplinary and multi-system approach to TBI development; and (7) the adequacy of the plan for sustaining the proposed project. An application for a Protection and Advocacy Grant will be evaluated by an objective review panel. Based on the quality of the responses, an application may receive up to 100 points on the following review criteria: (1) A plan to enable the P&A system to provide services for individuals with TBI and their families. The proposed services. The balance of individual TBI cases and systemic work. Recognition of the unique needs of the area. (2)A comprehensive approach to collaboration, partnership and outreach. Established relationships with the brain injury community. The evidence and breadth of collaboration demonstrated in the narrative and letters of support. Participation with the State TBI State grant project if one exists. (3) A demonstrated knowledge of the needs of individuals with TBI and their families. The State P&A have committed Financial and human resources towards improving the services for individuals for TBI and their families. The roles, responsibilities and skills of the project staff are sufficient to meet the goals and objectives of the project within the proposed time period. The project management plan is reasonable and will build State P&A capacity. (4) Project Evaluation: The methodology that will be used to achieve the goals and objectives of the project. The strength of the evaluation plan for the project.