96-6073. Maternal and Child Health Services; Federal Set-Aside Program; Research and Training Grants

[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 51 (Thursday, March 14, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10586-10589]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-6073]



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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Health Resources and Services Administration


Maternal and Child Health Services; Federal Set-Aside Program; 
Research and Training Grants

AGENCY: Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), HHS.

ACTION: Notice of availability of funds.

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SUMMARY: The HRSA announces that applications will be accepted for 
fiscal year (FY) 1996 funds for Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Special 
Projects of Regional and National Significance (SPRANS) research and 
training grants. Awards will be made under the program authority of 
section 502(a) of the Social Security Act, the MCH Federal Set-Aside 
Program. A revised regulation

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implementing the Federal Set-Aside Program (42 CFR part 51a) was 
published in the July 19, 1994, issue of the Federal Register at 59 FR 
36703. Within the HRSA, SPRANS grants are administered by the Maternal 
and Child Health Bureau (MCHB). MCH research and training grants 
improve the health status of mothers and children through: development 
and dissemination of new knowledge; demonstration of new or improved 
ways of delivering care or otherwise enhancing Title V program capacity 
to provide or assure provision of appropriate services; and preparation 
of personnel for leadership in MCH-relevant specialties. Awards are 
made for grant periods which generally run from 1 up to 5 years in 
duration. Grants for SPRANS hemophilia programs, genetic services and 
special MCH improvement projects (MCHIP), which contribute to the 
health of mothers, children, and children with special health care 
needs (CSHCN), are being announced in a separate notice.
    This program announcement is subject to the appropriation of funds. 
Applicants are advised that this program announcement is a contingency 
action being taken to assure that should funds become available for 
this purpose, they can be awarded in a timely fashion consistent with 
the needs of the program as well as to provide for even distribution of 
funds throughout the fiscal year. At this time, given a continuing 
resolution and the absence of FY 1996 appropriations for the SPRANS 
program, the amount of available funding for this specific grant 
program cannot be estimated.
    The Public Health Service (PHS) is committed to achieving the 
health promotion and disease prevention objectives of Healthy People 
2000, a PHS-led national activity for setting priority areas. The MCH 
Block Grant Federal Set-Aside Program addresses issues related to the 
Healthy People 2000 objectives of improving maternal, infant, child and 
adolescent health and developing service systems for children with 
special health care needs. Potential applicants may obtain a copy of 
Healthy People 2000 (Full Report: Stock No. 017-001-00474-0) or Healthy 
People 2000 (Summary Report: Stock No. 017-001-00473-1) through the 
Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office Washington, DC 
20402-9325 (telephone: [phone]).
    The PHS strongly encourages all grant recipients to provide a 
smoke-free workplace and promote the non-use of all tobacco products. 
In addition, Public Law 103-227, the Pro-Children Act of 1994, 
prohibits smoking in certain facilities (or in some cases, any portion 
of a facility) in which regular or routine education, library, day 
care, health care or early childhood development services are provided 
to children.

ADDRESSES: Grant applications for MCH research and training grants must 
be obtained from and submitted to: Chief, Grants Management Branch, 
Office of Operations and Management, Maternal and Child Health Bureau, 
Health Resources and Services Administration, Room 18-12, Parklawn 
Building, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, Maryland 20857, [phone]. 
Applicants for research projects will use Form PHS 398, approved by the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under control number 0925-0001. 
Applicants for training projects will use Form PHS 6025-1, approved by 
OMB under control number 0915-0060. You must obtain application 
materials in the mail. Written requests should specify the category or 
categories of activities for which an application is requested so that 
the appropriate materials may be provided.
    Federal Register notices and application guidance for MCHB programs 
are available on the World Wide Web via the Internet at address: http:/
/www.os.dhhs.gov/hrsa/mchb. Click on the file name you want to download 
to your computer. It will be saved as a self-extracting (Macintosh or) 
Wordperfect 5.1 file. To decompress the file once it is downloaded, 
type in the file name followed by a . The file will expand to a 
Wordperfect 5.1 file. If you have difficulty accessing the MCHB Home 
Page via the Internet and need technical assistance, please contact 
Linda L. Schneider at 301-443-0767 or [e-mail]''.

DATES: Potential applicants are invited to request application packages 
for the specific program category in which they are interested, and to 
submit their applications for funding consideration. Deadlines for 
receipt of applications differ for the several categories of grants. 
The next deadline for receipt of Research Grant applications is August 
1, 1996. (Applications are also accepted each year on March 1, as 
well.) The deadline for receipt of Continuing Education and Development 
Grant applications is July 1, 1996.
    Applications will be considered to have met the deadline if they 
are either: (1) Received on or before the deadline date, or (2) 
postmarked on or before the deadline date and received in time for 
orderly processing. Applicants should request a legibly dated receipt 
from a commercial carrier or the U.S. Postal Service, or obtain a 
legibly dated U.S. Postal Service postmark. Private metered postmarks 
will not be accepted as proof of timely mailing. Late applications or 
those sent to an address other than specified in the ADDRESS section 
will be returned to the applicant.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for technical or programmatic 
information should be directed to the contact persons identified below 
for each category covered by this notice. Requests for information 
concerning business management issues should be directed to: Acting 
Grants Management Officer (GMO), MCHB, at the address specified in the 
ADDRESS section.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: To facilitate the use of this announcement, 
information in this section has been organized, as outlined in the 
Table of Contents below, into a discussion of: Program Background, 
Special Concerns, Evaluation Protocol, Project Review and Funding, 
SPRANS Project Grants, Public Comment, Eligible Applicants, and Public 
Health System Reporting Requirements. In addition, for each research 
and training funding category or subcategory, information is presented 
under the following headings:
     Application Deadline.
     Purpose.
     Priorities.
     Special Eligibility Considerations.
     Project Period
     Contact

Table of Contents

1. Program Background and Objectives
2. Special Concerns
3. Project Review and Funding
    3.1. Criteria for Review
    3.2. Funding of Approved Applications
4. Special Projects of Regional and National Significance
    4.1. Research Grants
    4.2. Training Grants: Continuing Education and Development
5. Public Comment
6. Eligible Applicants
7. Public Health System Reporting Requirements
8. Executive Order 12372

1. Program Background and Objectives

    Under Section 502 of the Social Security Act, 15 percent of the 
funds are to be set-aside by the Secretary to support (through grants, 
contracts, or otherwise) special projects of regional and national 
significance, including research, and training with respect to maternal 
and child health and children with special health care needs (including 
early intervention training and services development). The MCH SPRANS 
set-aside was established in 1981. Support for projects covered by this 
announcement will come from the

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SPRANS set-aside. Acceptance of applications for FY 1996 funds for MCH 
research and training grants is being announced separately from other 
SPRANS grants this year in order to reduce confusion to potential 
applicants from announcement of grants in very large numbers of SPRANS 
categories and subcategories. The research and training grants covered 
in this notice are intended to improve the health status of mothers and 
children.
    Research programs focus on the development of new knowledge for 
application in health care promotion and prevention efforts directed at 
pregnant women, women of childbearing age, infants, children, 
adolescents, and children with special health care needs and their 
families. Findings are expected to have potential for application in 
health care delivery programs for mothers and children.
    Continuing Education and Development (CED) training includes 
efforts conducted by an institution of higher learning such as short-
term, non-degree programs, courses, workshops, conferences, symposia, 
institutes, and distance learning strategies; and/or development or 
enhancement of curricula, guidelines, standards of practice, and 
educational tools/strategies. Continuing Education and Development 
focuses on increasing leadership skills of MCH professionals; 
facilitating timely transfer and application of new information, 
research findings, and technology related to MCH; and updating and 
improving the knowledge and skills of health and related professionals 
in programs serving mothers and children, including children with 
special health care needs (CSHCN). As a result of the CED, 
professionals are more adequately prepared to provide comprehensive 
services and to provide leadership in advancing the field to better 
serve mothers and children.

2. Special Concerns

    In keeping with the goals of advancing the development of human 
potential, strengthening the Nation's capacity to provide high quality 
education by broadening participation in MCHB programs of institutions 
that may have perspectives uniquely reflecting the Nation's cultural 
and linguistic diversity, and increasing opportunities for all 
Americans to participate in and benefit from Federal public health 
programs, a funding priority will be placed on projects from 
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) or Hispanic Serving 
Institutions (HSI) in all categories and subcategories in this notice 
for which applications from academic institutions are encouraged. An 
approved proposal from a HBCU or HSI will receive a 0.5 point favorable 
adjustment of the priority score in a 5 point range before funding 
decisions are made.

3. Project Review and Funding

    Within the limit of funds determined by the Secretary to be 
available for the activities described in this announcement, the 
Secretary will review applications for funds under the specific project 
categories in Section 4, below, as competing applications and may award 
Federal funding for projects which will, in her judgment, best promote 
the purpose of title V of the Social Security Act, with special 
emphasis on improving service delivery to women and children from 
culturally distinct populations; best address achievement of Healthy 
Children 2000 objectives related to maternal, infant, child and 
adolescent health and service systems for children at risk of chronic 
and disabling conditions; and otherwise best promote improvements in 
maternal and child health.

3.1  Criteria for Review

    The criteria which follow are used, as pertinent, to review and 
evaluate applications for awards under all SPRANS grants and 
cooperative agreement project categories announced in this notice. 
Further guidance in this regard is supplied in application guidance 
materials, which may specify other criteria.

--The quality of the project plan or methodology
--The need for the research or training
--The extent to which the project will contribute to the advancement of 
maternal and child health and/or improvement of the health of children 
with special health care needs;
--The extent to which the project is responsive to policy concerns 
applicable to MCH grants and to program objectives, requirements, 
priorities and/or review criteria for specific project categories, as 
published in program announcements or guidance materials
--The extent to which the estimated cost to the Government of the 
project is reasonable, considering the anticipated results
--The extent to which the project personnel are well qualified by 
training and experience for their roles in the project and the 
applicant organization has adequate facilities and personnel
--The extent to which, insofar as practicable, the proposed activities, 
if well executed, are capable of attaining project objectives.
--The strength of the project's plans for evaluation
--The extent to which the project will be integrated with the 
administration of the MCH Block Grant, State primary care plans, public 
health, and prevention programs, and other related programs in the 
respective State(s)
--The extent to which the application is responsive to the special 
concerns and program priorities specified in this notice

3.2  Funding of Approved Applications

    Final funding decisions for SPRANS research and training grants are 
the responsibility of the Director, MCHB. In considering scores for the 
ranking of approved applications for funding, preferences may be 
exercised for groups of applications; for example, new projects may be 
funded ahead of competing continuations, or vice versa. Within any 
category of approved projects, the score of an individual project may 
be favorably adjusted, as noted in the notice or guidance for that 
category, if the project addresses specific priorities identified in 
this notice. In addition, special consideration in assigning scores may 
be given by reviewers to individual applications that address areas 
identified in this notice as special concerns.

4. Special Projects of Regional and National Significance

    Two categories of SPRANS grants are discussed below--Research, and 
Continuing Education and Development:

4.1. Research Grants

     Application Deadline: August 1, 1996. For Research Grants, 
approximately one-half of the available funds are allocated annually to 
each cycle (March 1 and August 1). Applications approved but not funded 
in one cycle are automatically carried forward to the next.
     Purpose: To encourage research in maternal and child 
health which has the potential for ready transfer of findings to health 
care delivery programs. Research grants may be made only to public or 
nonprofit institutions of higher learning and public or nonprofit 
private agencies and organizations engaged in research or in maternal 
and child health or programs for CSHCN.
    Special consideration will be given to projects which address the 
factors and processes that lead to disparities in health status and use 
of services among

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minority and other disadvantaged groups as well as health promoting 
behaviors, quality outcome measures, and systems integration/reform.
     Project Period: Generally 3 years but may be up to 5 
years.
     Contact: For programmatic or technical information, 
contact Gontran Lamberty, Dr.P.H., telephone: [phone].

4.2. Training Grants: Continuing Education and Development

     Application Deadline: July 1, 1996.
     Purpose: To support and strengthen MCH programs and 
improve MCH systems of care through short term, non-degree related 
training of health professionals and others providing health and 
related services for mothers and children--workshops, seminars, 
institutes, distance learning, etc.--and/or to conduct other related 
activities that develop or enhance standards, practices, curricula, 
etc., to improve health care for the MCH population. Continuing 
Education and Development grants may be made only to public or 
nonprofit private institutions of higher learning.
     Priorities: Priority for funding in this category will be 
given to Continuing Education and Development projects in the following 
areas:

--Emergency Medical Services for Children
--Collaborative Office Rounds (Joint Pediatrics-Child Psychology 
Continuing Education)
--Core Public Health
--Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Resources

     Project Period: Range from 1 to 3 years.
     Contact: For programmatic or technical information, 
contact Elizabeth Brannon, M.S., R.D., telephone: [phone].

5. Public Comment

    The categories, priorities, special considerations and preferences 
described above are not being proposed for public comment this year. In 
July 1993, following publication of the Department's Notice of Proposed 
Rulemaking to revise the MCH special project grant regulations at 42 
CFR 51a, the public was invited for a 60-day period to submit comments 
regarding all aspects of the SPRANS application and review process. In 
responding to those comments, the Department noted the practical limits 
on Secretarial discretion in establishing SPRANS categories and 
priorities owing to the extensive prescription in both the statute and 
annual Congressional directives.
    Comments on this SPRANS notice which members of the public wish to 
make are welcome at any time and may be submitted to: Director, MCHB, 
at the address listed in the ADDRESS section. Suggestions will be 
considered when priorities are developed for the next solicitation.

6. Eligible Applicants

    MCH training grants may be made only to public or nonprofit private 
institutions of higher learning. Research grants may be made only to 
public or nonprofit private institutions of higher learning and public 
or nonprofit private agencies and organizations engaged in research in 
maternal and child health or programs for CSHCN. As noted above, 
applicants for certain grant categories or subcategories are expected 
to have additional qualifications.

7. Public Health System Reporting Requirements

    This program is subject to the Public Health System Reporting 
Requirements (approved under OMB No. 0937-0195). Under these 
requirements, the community-based nongovernmental applicant must 
prepare and submit a Public Health System Impact Statement (PHSIS). The 
PHSIS is intended to provide information to State and local health 
officials to keep them apprised of proposed health services grant 
applications submitted by community-based nongovernmental organizations 
within their jurisdictions.
    Community-based nongovernmental applicants are required to submit 
the following information to the head of the appropriate State and 
local health agencies in the area(s) to be impacted no later than the 
Federal application receipt due date:
    (a) A copy of the face page of the application (PHS-398, for 
Research; PHS-6025-1, for Training).
    (b) A summary of the project (PHSIS), not to exceed one page, which 
provides:
    (1) A description of the population to be served.
    (2) A summary of the services to be provided.
    (3) A description of the coordination planned with the appropriate 
State and local health agencies.
    The project abstract may be used in lieu of the one-page PHSIS, if 
the applicant is required to submit a PHSIS.

8. Executive Order 12372

    The MCH Federal set-aside program has been determined to be a 
program which is not subject to the provisions of Executive Order 12372 
concerning intergovernmental review of Federal programs.

    The OMB Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number is 93.110.

    Dated: March 8, 1996.
Ciro V. Sumaya,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 96-6073 Filed 3-13-96; 8:45 am]
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