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 establish Family Life Centers on the campuses of 24 minority institutions of higher education to: 1) Assess local community resources for violence prevention projects; 2) Coordinate activities with existing violence prevention projects; 3) Design and implement educational interventions addressing interpersonal family violence; and 4) Design and implement a project to identify students from dysfunctional families and support them with coping strategies.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:

Project Grants. Place Cursor Here for Definition

USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:

Funds will be used to support a cooperative agreement for a family and community violence program to prevent minority related violence and improve health and human services to minorities. 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 supplantation of ongoing project activities.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:   Eligible Applicants: An institute of higher education representing 4-year undergraduate institutions and a 2 year tribal college historically identified as providing education primarily to minority students, or having a majority enrollment of minority students.

Beneficiary Eligibility:   Minority families and communities will benefit.

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

Pre-application Coordination:   This program does not require any preapplication 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. When indicated in an individual program announcement, applications are subject to review in accordance with the national Planning and Resources Development Act, Public Law 93.641 as amended. For the technical assistance component of this program, when indicated in individual program announcements, applications are eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372.

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 deadline receipt information.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:   About 60 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:   The cooperative agreement will have a 4-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:   Semi-annual progress reports are required for the cooperative agreement with final performance report due 90 days after the end of the project period. Financial status report is due 90 days after the end of the budget period with a final financial status report due no later than 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 Nonprofit 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 note in Circular No. A-133. In addition, grants and cooperative agreements are subject to inspection and audits by DHHS and other Federal government officials.

Records:   Financial records, supporting documents, statistical records, and all other records pertinent to the grant shall be retained for a minimum of 3 years, or longer pending completion and resolution of any audit findings. Property records must be retained in accordance with Public Health Service Policy Statement requirements.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

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

Obligations:   (Grants) FY 01 $6,400,000; FY 02 est $7,150,000; and FY 03 est $7,400,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:  
$250,000 to $500,000.

In fiscal year 2001, one continuation award was issued to the same institute representing 24 participants. It is estimated that one continuation award 26 participants will be made in fiscal year 2002. In fiscal year 2003, it is anticipated that one continuation award will be issued with 27 participants.

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.

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:  
http://www.minorityhealth.hhs.gov

EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:

The following are examples of projects funded under the cooperative agreement: 1) A database and resource directory was developed on viable violence and substance abuse services and resources; 2) A variety of education experiences were provided to youth and families to assist them in making positive life style choices and facilitating their educational pursuits; and 3) Community outreach services were provided to neighborhoods.

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.