[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 92 (Friday, May 12, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25725-25727]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-11764]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
[Announcement 549]
Program for Playground Safety
Introduction
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), announces the
availability of fiscal year (FY) 1995 funds for a cooperative agreement
for the establishment of a Program for Playground Safety.
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 to reduce morbidity and mortality
and improve the quality of life. This announcement is related to the
priority area of Unintentional Injuries. (For ordering a copy of
``Healthy People 2000,'' see the section Where To Obtain Additional
Information.)
Authority
This program announcement is authorized under Sections 301, 317,
and 391-394 (42 U.S.C. 241, 247b, and 280b-280b-3) of the Public Health
Service Act as amended.
Smoke-Free Workplace
PHS strongly encourages all grant recipients to provide a smoke-
free workplace and to promote the nonuse of all tobacco products, and
Public Law 103-227, the Pro-Children Act of 1994, prohibits smoking in
certain facilities that receive Federal funds in which education,
library, day care, health care, and early childhood development
services are provided to children.
Eligible Applicants
Applications may be submitted by public and private, nonprofit and
for-profit organizations and governments and their agencies. Thus,
universities, colleges, research institutions, hospitals, other public
and private organizations, State and local health departments or their
bona fide agents or instrumentalities, federally recognized Indian
tribal governments, Indian tribes or Indian tribal organizations, and
small, minority- and/or women-owned businesses are eligible to apply.
Availability of Funds
Approximately $550,000 is available in FY 1995 to fund one award.
It is expected that the award will begin on or about September 30,
1995, and will be made for a 12-month budget period within a project
period of up to three years. Funding estimates may vary and are subject
to change.
A continuation award within the project period will be made on the
basis of satisfactory progress and the availability of funds.
Purpose
The purpose of this cooperative agreement is to establish a Program
for Playground Safety to assume a lead capacity for prevention and
control of playground injuries to children and the promotion of safer
playgrounds.
Program Requirements
In conducting activities to achieve the purpose of this program,
the recipient will be responsible for the activities under A.
(Recipient Activities), and CDC will be responsible for the activities
listed under B. (CDC Activities).
A. Recipient Activities
1. Develop a national agenda and plan for the prevention of
playground injuries. Steps involved in producing this plan shall
include:
a. Prepare a state of the art review of playground injuries and
known and effective strategies for their prevention. Production of this
review should involve key researchers and leaders in the field of
playground injury prevention, and include relevant disciplines such as
behavioral science, child development, engineering, leisure studies,
environmental sciences, and public health;
b. Convene one or more meetings of relevant parties, experts and
organizations to discuss the review, assess the current issues, set and
prioritize goals, and consider methods to achieve those goals;
c. Produce a draft national plan and circulate it for comment among
relevant parties and;
d. Finalize, publish and disseminate the plan.
Expected collaborators in the development, review, and endorsement
of the plan include researchers, injury control specialists (e.g., CDC-
funded Injury Control Research Center staff), playground operators
(e.g., Department of Parks and Recreation staff, Department of
Education staff, day care center operators), manufacturers of
playground equipment and surfaces, playground regulators, and
playground users. The plan should identify surveillance, research,
evaluation, training, and programmatic needs and activities to reduce
playground injuries. In particular, the plan should include a research
agenda that defines the priority research questions to be answered and
the methods to answer them, including the variables to be measured, the
methods for measuring those variables, the type of study design and
necessary size of the study, and the costs of such a study. (It is not
anticipated that the recipient will undertake all of the planned
research.) Data needs for all elements (e.g., surveillance, training)
should be identified. The plan should contain recommendations targeted
at playground operators, manufacturers, regulators, users, and other
relevant parties. The plan should include estimates of the necessary
resources for each aspect of the plan, as well as a timetable. The plan
should be completed within one year of funding to help guide future
activities.
Activities 2-5 below may be completed at any time during the three-
year project period.
2. Establish a clearinghouse for materials on the prevention of
playground injuries and safe playgrounds. This activity includes
identifying, collecting, and classifying existing materials on
playground design and safety and playground injury prevention. The
activity also includes identifying and cataloging nationwide activities
and intervention projects related to playground injury prevention and
safety. These materials should be made easily available to others. The
applicant should provide the public, schools, municipalities and others
with a forum, including research findings, for [[Page 25726]] answering
questions about playground injury prevention. A toll-free hotline
should be set up and advertised; electronic access to materials should
be provided; and the presence of the clearinghouse should be
advertised.
3. Disseminate information regarding playground safety and the
prevention of injuries on the playground. The dissemination should be
active and regular and national in scope. It should help translate
scientific information into easily understandable terms. The
dissemination should reach both the public and those responsible for
playground design, purchase, construction, maintenance, oversight, and
use. The dissemination should include both the media (e.g., newspapers,
magazines) and relevant technical forums (e.g., journals, meetings).
4. Develop a training curriculum for playground safety inspections
and teachers in schools and day care centers. Prepare, produce, and
disseminate such materials widely, including an evaluation of the
effectiveness of the training. Evaluate the effectiveness of the
inspection process in reducing hazards on the playground. Define the
necessary competencies of those persons conducting playground
inspections and produce a test of those competencies.
5. Conduct research on the performance of playground surfaces. The
applicant should assemble all available surfaces (e.g., loose-fill
materials, grass, and proprietary materials) and conduct shock
absorbing tests of these materials according to the American Society
for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Number 1292 procedure. (For ordering a
copy of ASTM Number 1292, see the section Where To Obtain Additional
Information.) To help guide the choice of materials for protecting from
indoor falls from playground equipment, the surfaces to be tested
should include samples of play mats, wrestling mats and other mat
materials that may possess impact attenuating properties. Drop heights
should be increased in 1-foot increments and the attendant peak G and
HIC results reported. Heights should be increased until peak G exceeds
200 or HIC exceeds 1000. For loose fill materials, depths should be
varied at four, six, nine, and twelve inches. The effect of the 18''
x 18'' containment box should be ascertained by varying the box size.
The results of these tests should be widely disseminated.
6. Provide a full-time director/coordinator and staff who have
authority, responsibility, and expertise to carry out the undertaking.
B. CDC Activities
1. Provide consultation in the development of a national agenda and
plan for the prevention of playground injuries. This includes a review
of the draft national plan prior to circulation among relevant parties.
2. Provide assistance on the types of materials to be identified,
collected, and classified prior to inclusion in the clearinghouse
inventory.
3. Collaborate in the development of a strategic plan for
dissemination of information regarding playground safety and prevention
of injuries on the playground.
4. Provide advice and assistance in the development of a training
curriculum for playground safety inspections and teachers in schools
and day care centers.
Evaluation Criteria
Applications will be reviewed and evaluated according to the
following criteria:
1. Background and Need (15%)
The extent to which the applicant presents justification for each
projected activity in terms of magnitude of the problem, experience in
this area, and how the likely results of the activity will impact the
problem.
2. Goals and Objectives (15%)
The extent to which the goal(s) and objectives are relevant to the
purpose of the proposal, feasible for accomplishment during the project
period, measurable, and specific in terms of what is to be done and the
time involved. The extent to which the objectives address all
activities necessary to accomplish the purpose of the proposal.
3. Methods (40%)
The extent to which the applicant provides a detailed description
of all proposed activities which are likely to achieve each objective
and overall program goal(s) and which includes designation of
responsibility for each action undertaken. The extent to which the
applicant provides a reasonable and complete schedule for implementing
all activities. The extent to which position descriptions, lines of
command, and collaborations are appropriate to accomplishment of
program goal(s) and objectives.
4. Evaluation (10%)
The extent to which the proposed evaluation plan is detailed and
will document program process and outcome. The extent to which the
applicant demonstrates staff and/or collaborator availability,
expertise, and capacity to perform the evaluation.
5. Facilities, Staff, and Resources (20%)
The extent to which the applicant can provide adequate facilities,
staff and/or collaborators, and resources to accomplish the proposed
goal(s) and objectives during the project period. The extent to which
the applicant demonstrates staff and/or collaborator availability,
expertise, previous experience, and capacity to perform the undertaking
successfully.
6. Budget and Justification (Not Scored)
The extent to which the applicant provides a detailed budget and
narrative justification consistent with the stated objectives and
planned program activities.
7. Human Subjects (Not Scored)
The applicant must clearly state whether or not human subjects will
be used in research.
Executive Order 12372
Applications are subject to Intergovernmental Review of Federal
Programs as governed by Executive Order (E.O.) 12372. E.O. 12372 sets
up a system for State and local government review of proposed Federal
assistance applications. Applicants (other than federally recognized
Indian tribal governments) should contact their State Single Point of
Contact (SPOC) as early as possible to alert them to the prospective
applications and receive any necessary instructions on the State
process. For proposed projects serving more than one State, the
applicant is advised to contact the SPOC of each affected State. A
current list of SPOCs is included in the application kit. If SPOCs have
any State process recommendations on applications submitted to CDC,
they should forward them to Henry S. Cassell, III, Grants Management
Officer, Grants Management Branch, Procurement and Grants Office,
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 255 East Paces Ferry
Road, NE., Room 300, Mailstop E13, Atlanta, GA 30305, no later than 60
days after the application deadline. The granting agency does not
guarantee to ``accommodate or explain'' for State process
recommendations it receives after that date.
Indian tribes are strongly encouraged to request tribal government
review of the proposed application. If tribal governments have any
tribal process recommendations on applications [[Page 25727]] submitted
to CDC, they should forward them to Henry S. Cassell, III, Grants
Management Officer, Grants Management Branch, Procurement and Grants
Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 255 East
Paces Ferry Road, NE., Room 300, Mailstop E13, Atlanta, GA 30305, no
later than 60 days after the application deadline. The granting agency
does not guarantee to ``accommodate or explain'' for State process
recommendations it receives after that date.
Public Health System Reporting Requirements
This program is not subject to the Public Health System Reporting
Requirements.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number
The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number is 94.136.
Other Requirements
Paperwork Reduction Act
Projects that involve the collection of information from 10 or more
individuals and funded by the cooperative agreement will be subject to
review by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the Paperwork
Reduction Act.
Human Subjects
If the proposed project involves research on human subjects, the
applicant must comply with the Department of Health and Human Services
Regulations, 45 CFR part 46, regarding the protection of human
subjects. Assurance must be provided to demonstrate that the project
will be subject to initial and continuing review by the appropriate
institutional review committees. In addition to other applicable
committees, Indian Health Service (IHS) institutional review committees
also must review the project if any component of IHS will be involved
or will support the research. If any American Indian community is
involved, its tribal government must also approve that portion of the
project applicable to it. The applicant will be responsible for
providing assurance in accordance with the appropriate guidelines and
form provided in the application kit.
Application Submission and Deadline
The original and two copies of the application PHS Form 5161-1 (OMB
Number 0937-0189) must be submitted to Henry S. Cassell, III, Grants
Management Officer, Grants Management Branch, Procurement and Grants
Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 255 East
Paces Ferry Road, NE., Room 300, Mailstop E13, Atlanta, GA 30305, on or
before July 14, 1995.
1. Deadline: Applications shall be considered as meeting the
deadline if they are either:
a. Received on or before the deadline date; or
b. Sent on or before the deadline date and received in time for
submission to the independent review committee. For proof of timely
mailing, applicant must request a legibly dated U.S. Postal Service
postmark or obtain a legibly dated receipt from a commercial carrier or
the U.S. Postal Service. Private metered postmarks will not be
acceptable as proof of timely mailing.
2. Late Applications: Applications that do not meet the criteria in
1.a. or 1.b. above are considered late. Late applications will not be
considered in the current competition and will be returned to the
applicant.
Where To Obtain Additional Information
To receive additional written information call (404) 332-4561. You
will be asked to leave your name, address, and phone number and will
need to refer to Announcement 549. You will receive a complete program
description, information on application procedures, and application
forms.
If you have questions after reviewing the contents of all the
documents, business management technical assistance may be obtained
from Adrienne Brown, Grants Management Specialist, Grants Management
Branch, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC), 255 East Paces Ferry Road, NE., Mailstop E13,
Atlanta, GA 30305, telephone (404) 842-6634. Programmatic assistance
may be obtained from Tim W. Groza, M.P.A., National Center for Injury
Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC), 4770 Buford Highway, NE., Mailstop K63, Atlanta, GA 30341-3724,
telephone (404) 488-4652.
Please refer to Announcement 549 when requesting information and
submitting an application.
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) referenced in the
``Introduction'' through the Superintendent of Documents, Government
Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402-9325, telephone (202) 512-1800.
A copy of American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Number
1292 may be obtained from ASTM, Customer Services, 1916 Race Street,
Philadelphia, PA 19103-1187, telephone (215) 299-5585.
Dated: May 8, 1995.
Joseph R. Carter,
Acting Associate Director for Management and Operations, Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
[FR Doc. 95-11764 Filed 5-11-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P
