[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 250 (Wednesday, December 31, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68292-68293]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-34070]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Notice of a Cooperative Agreement With the Association of
Hispanic Colleges and Universities
The Office of Minority Health (OMH), Office of Public Health and
Science, announces that it will enter into an umbrella cooperative
agreement with the Association of Hispanic Colleges and Universities
(HACU). This cooperative agreement will establish the broad
programmatic framework in which specific projects can be funded as they
are identified during the project period.
The purpose of this cooperative agreement is to assist HACU to
expand and exchange its activities relevant to health issues affecting
the Hispanic community in areas such as development of member colleges
and universities, improving access to and the quality of postsecondary
educational opportunities for Hispanic students, and meeting the needs
of business, industry, health and government through linkages and
expertise. It is anticipated that future activities will focus on
programs and policies aimed at improving the overall educational and
health status of Hispanics in order to eliminate the educational gaps
which exist between Hispanics and others. OMH will provide
consultation, including administrative and technical assistance as
needed, for the execution and evaluation of all aspects of this
cooperative agreement. OMH will also participate and/or collaborate
with the awardee in any workshops or symposia to exchange current
information, opinions, and research findings during this agreement.
Authorizing Legislation
This cooperative agreement is authorized under Section 1707(d)(1)
of the Public Health Service Act.
Background
Recognizing the importance of the educational needs of our Nation's
Hispanic community, President Clinton signed Executive Order 12900,
Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans, on February 22, 1994.
This Executive Order set in motion a process for interagency
collaboration to identify and correct the shortcomings of the
educational system serving Hispanic Americans. In keeping with the
intent of the Executive Order, the Office of Minority Health will enter
into a cooperative agreement with HACU.
Assistance will be provided only to the Hispanic Association of
Colleges and Universities. HACU is the national association of
institutions of higher education representing 127 Hispanic-serving
institutions (HSI), specifically nonprofit, accredited colleges and
universities where Hispanic students constitute a minimum of 25% of the
total enrollment. No other applications are solicited. HACU is the only
organization capable of administering this cooperative agreement
because it:
1. Developed and established an infrastructure to coordinate and
implement various educational program initiatives to support activities
of HSIs of higher education;
2. Established the information sharing capability among the HSIs
and adapted for the development of policy recommendations for
legislators and policy makers in government, corporations, foundations,
and the media;
3. Provides technical assistance and other support to member
institutions to obtain grants, contracts, and other financial support;
4. Sponsors national workshops, seminars and conferences on topics
specific to the concerned institutions, targeting those activities
which enhance Hispanic students and aiding their successful graduation
rates;
5. Provides a specialized research capability in organizational
characteristics and factors which contribute to Hispanic educational
success;
6. Established memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with the
Department of Commerce, Interior, Transportation, Energy, and
Agriculture, as well as with the U.S. Coast Guard, the Federal Aviation
Administration, and Bureau of Land Management, thereby creating
partnerships with Federal agencies to diversify their work force;
7. Demonstrated experience in assisting Federal agencies to partner
with HSIs to operate a National Internship Program for Hispanic college
students; and
[[Page 68293]]
8. Has extensive experience in managing a Hispanic Education
Leadership Fund for Hispanic students.
This cooperative agreement will be awarded in FY 1998 for a 12-
month budget period within a project period of 5 years. Continuation
awards within the project period will be made on the basis of
satisfactory progress and the availability of funds.
Where To Obtain Additional Information
If you are interested in obtaining additional information regarding
this project, contact Guadalupe Pacheco, Office of Minority Health,
5515 Security Lane, Suite 1000, Rockville, Maryland 20852 or telephone
(301) 443-5084.
Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance Number. The CFDA number
is 93.004
Dated: December 17, 1997.
Clay E. Simpson, Jr.,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Minority Health.
[FR Doc. 97-34070 Filed 12-30-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-17-M
