[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 92 (Wednesday, May 13, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26610-26614]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-12644]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
[Program Announcement 98054]
Programs for the Prevention of Fire Related Injuries; Notice of
Availability of Funds for Fiscal Year 1998
Introduction
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), announces the
availability of fiscal year (FY) 1998 funds for cooperative agreements
for programs to prevent fire related injuries.
CDC is committed to achieving the health promotion and disease
prevention objectives of ``Healthy People 2000,'' a 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 391A (42 U.S.C. 241, 247b, and 280b-280b-3) of the Public Health
Service Act as amended.
Smoke-Free Workplace
CDC 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
Eligible applicants are the official State public health agencies
or their bona fide agents. This includes the District of Columbia,
American Samoa, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands,
the Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands,
the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau.
Applicants funded under Program Announcement 780 are eligible to
apply under this Announcement. The proposed target areas for this
Announcement must be different than those currently being funded by
CDC.
Note: Effective January 1, 1996, Public Law 104-65 states that
an organization described in section 501(c)(4) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 which engages in lobbying activities shall not
be eligible to receive Federal funds constituting an award, grant
(cooperative agreement), contract, loan, or any other form.
Availability of Funds
Approximately $2,000,000 is available in FY 1998 to fund 11 to 13
awards, ranging from $150,000 to $170,000. It is expected that the
award will begin on or about September 30, 1998, and will be made for a
12-month budget period within a project period of up to 3 years.
Funding estimates may vary and are subject to change.
Continuation awards within the project period will be made on the
basis of satisfactory progress and the availability of funds.
Restrictions on Lobbying
Applicants should be aware of restrictions on the use of HHS funds
for lobbying of Federal or State legislative bodies. Under the
provisions of 31 U.S.C. Section 1352 (which has been in effect since
December 23, 1989), recipients (and their subtier contractors) are
prohibited from using appropriated Federal funds (other than profits
from a Federal contract) for lobbying Congress or any Federal agency in
connection with the award of a particular contract, grant, cooperative
agreement, or loan. This includes grants/cooperative agreements that,
in whole or in part, involve conferences for which Federal funds cannot
be used directly or indirectly to encourage participants to lobby or to
instruct participants on how to lobby.
In addition, the FY 1998 Department of Labor, Health and Human
Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act
(Public Law 105-78) states in Section 503 (a) and (b) that no part of
any appropriation contained in this Act shall be used, other than for
normal and recognized executive-legislative relations, for publicity or
propaganda purposes, for the preparation, distribution, or use of any
kit, pamphlet, booklet, publication, radio, television, or video
presentation designed to support or defeat legislation pending before
the Congress or any State legislature, except in presentation to the
Congress or any State legislature itself. No part of any appropriation
contained in this Act shall be used to pay the salary or expenses of
any grant or contract recipient, or agent acting for such recipient,
related to any activity designed to influence legislation or
appropriations pending before the Congress or any State legislature.
[[Page 26611]]
Prohibition on Use of CDC Funds for Certain Gun Control Activities
The Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education,
and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1998 specifies that: ``None of
the funds made available for injury prevention and control at the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) may be used to
advocate or promote gun control.
Anti-Lobbying Act requirements prohibit lobbying Congress with
appropriated Federal monies. Specifically, this Act prohibits the use
of Federal funds for direct or indirect communications intended or
designed to influence a Member of Congress with regard to specific
Federal legislation. This prohibition includes the funding and
assistance of public grassroots campaigns intended or designed to
influence Members of Congress with regard to specific legislation or
appropriation by Congress.
In addition to the restrictions in the Anti-Lobbying Act, CDC
interprets the new language in the CDC's 1998 Appropriations Act to
mean that CDC's funds may not be spent on political action or other
activities designed to affect the passage of specific Federal, State,
or local legislation intended to restrict or control the purchase or
use of firearms.
Background
In 1995, there were an estimated 414,000 home fires in the United
States, which killed 3,640 individuals (1.4/100,000) and injured an
additional 18,650 people. Accordingly, a Healthy People 2000 objective
is the reduction of residential fire deaths to no more than 1.2 per
100,000 people by the Year 2000. Direct property damage caused by these
fires exceeded $4.2 billion. In 1994, the monetary equivalent of all
fire deaths and injuries, including deaths and injuries to fire
fighters, was estimated at $14.8 billion.
Residential fire deaths occur disproportionately in the
southeastern States. They also occur disproportionately during the
winter months of December-February, a period during which more than
one-third of home fires occur, compared to one-sixth in the summer
months of June-August. Many subgroups within the population remain
highly vulnerable to fire morbidity and mortality. The rate of death
due to fire is higher among the poor, minorities, children under age 5,
adults over age 65, low-income communities in remote rural areas or in
poor urban communities, and among individuals living in manufactured
homes built before 1976, when the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development construction safety standards became effective. Other risk
factors for fire-related deaths include:
Inoperative smoke alarms,
Careless smoking,
Abuse of alcohol or other drugs,
Incorrect use of alternative heating sources including
usage of devices inappropriate or insufficient for the space to be
heated,
Inadequate supervision of children, and
Insufficient fire safety education.
The majority of fire-related fatalities occur in fires that start
at night while occupants are asleep, a time when effective detection
and alerting systems are of special importance. Operable smoke alarms
on every level provide the residents of a burning home with sufficient
advance warning for escape from nearly all types of fires. If a fire
occurs, homes with functional smoke alarms are half as likely to have a
death occur as homes without smoke alarms. As a result, operable
residential smoke alarms can be highly effective in preventing fire-
related deaths. It is important to understand that any smoke alarm--
whether ionization or photoelectric, AC or battery powered--will offer
adequate warning for escape, provided that the alarm is listed by an
independent testing laboratory and is properly installed and
maintained.
For Residential Fire Injury Prevention Programs the definition for
high-risk target populations is a community (an area with no more than
50,000 people) or geographic area known to have: (1) a high prevalence
of residential fire deaths, and (2) a composition of primarily low-
income residents.
Community organizations for project collaboration may include
churches, Salvation Army, Boy/Girl Scouts, Goodwill Industries, ethnic
organizations, Meals on Wheels, National Guard, International
Association of Black Fire Fighters, American Red Cross, SAFE KIDS
Coalitions, thrift stores/charitable organizations, Area Agency on
Aging, Senior Centers, private sector businesses, and Social clubs/
community centers serving the target populations. This list is not
exhaustive, as each community differs in their social make-up.
Purpose
The purpose of this cooperative agreement is to prevent fire-
related injuries through the distribution and installation of smoke
alarms in high-risk homes that do not have adequate smoke alarm
coverage.
Cooperative Activities
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. Identify a minimum of two different communities with fire
mortality and fire incidence rates above the State averages and mean
household income below the poverty line.
2. In Year 01 implement the project in the identified targeted
communities. Continue to run the project in all identified targeted
communities during Years 02 and 03.
3. Provide program management oversight in collaboration with the
local public health agencies in the identified targeted communities.
Identify coordinators at the State and local levels.
4. Mobilize a minimum of three community organizations which
already serve the target populations to provide education on fire
safety and to distribute smoke alarms appropriate to residents' needs,
(i.e. strobe-lighted for visually impaired persons, high-pitched for
hearing impaired persons, etc.).
5. Collaborate with fire departments, firefighter associations, and
fire safety coalitions at the local level.
6. Distribute appropriate alarms, as specific needs are identified,
in communities with the highest rates of residential fire injury and
death.
7. Facilitate installation of smoke alarms, as requested by
residents, through collaboration with fire safety personnel and/or
community workers who are trained in fire safety education, proper
installation and placement of smoke alarms, adequate number of alarms
for each home, smoke alarm maintenance and testing, fire escape
planning and practice, etc.
8. Develop an evaluation plan that includes a comparison of pre-and
post-intervention residential fire incidence, injuries, and deaths in
intervention communities. Evaluation plan should include, as a minimum,
follow-up assessment in each intervention community to determine the
continued presence and functionality of program-installed smoke alarms.
9. Establish a system to track smoke alarms distributed by the
program.
B. CDC Activities
1. Provide technical consultation on program planning,
implementation, and evaluation methods.
[[Page 26612]]
2. Establish communication mechanisms among participating States by
facilitating the transfer of technical and programmatic information and
delivery methodology.
3. Provide technical assistance for management of program
operations, including the application of continuous quality
improvement.
4. Conduct ongoing assessment of program activities to ensure the
use of effective and efficient implementation strategies.
5. Facilitate collaborative efforts to compile and disseminate
program results through presentations and publications.
Technical Reporting Requirements
An original and two copies of semiannual progress reports (and an
electronic copy submitted by electronic mail to the project officer)
are required of all awardees. Time lines for the reports will be
established at the time of award. Final financial status and
performance reports are required no later than 90 days after the end of
the project period. All reports will be submitted to the Grants
Management Branch, Procurement and Grants Office, CDC.
Semiannual progress reports should include:
A. A brief, updated program description, and a one-page summary of
bi-annual activities.
B. A status report on accomplishment of program goals and
objectives, accompanied by a comparison of the actual accomplishments
related to the goals and objectives established for the period. Include
target population, intervention activities, collaborations, and
progress on evaluation plan.
C. If established goals and objectives were not accomplished or
were delayed, describe the reason for the deviation, the recommendation
for corrective action or deletion of the activity, and lessons learned.
D. Other pertinent information, including changes in staffing,
contractors, or partners.
Application Content
Each application, including appendices, should not exceed 70 pages
and the Proposal; Narrative section should not exceed 30 pages. Pages
should be clearly numbered and a complete index to the application and
any appendices included. The project narrative section must be double-
spaced. The original and each copy of the application must be submitted
unstapled and unbound. All materials must be typewritten, double-
spaced, with unreduced type (font size 10 point or greater) on 8-\1/
2\'' by 11'' paper, with at least 1'' margins, headers and footers, and
printed on one side only.
The applicant should provide a detailed description of first-year
activities and briefly describe future year objectives and activities.
The application must include:
A. Abstract
A one page abstract and summary of the proposed program.
B. Background and Need:
Describe and quantify the magnitude of the residential fire problem
within the State, providing background information that highlights the
need for a residential fire prevention (smoke alarm promotion) program.
Identify populations at risk based on analysis of residential fire
data, including demographics of the State compared to the targeted
communities.
C. Goals and Objectives:
Specify overall goals the applicant anticipates accomplishing by
the end of the three-year project period. Include specific time-framed,
measurable and achievable objectives which can be accomplished during
the first budget period. Objectives should relate directly to the
project goal to increasing the prevalence of functional smoke alarms in
targeted communities.
D. Methods:
Describe how the residential fire injury prevention program will be
implemented in the applicant's setting. Describe activities at the
State and local levels that are designed to achieve each of the program
objectives during the budget period. A time line should be included
which indicates when each activity will occur and the assigned staff
for each proposed activity. Include an organizational chart identifying
placement of the residential fire-related injury prevention program.
Describe how pre-and post-intervention residential fire incidence data
will be compared as well as plans for conducting analyses. Provide a
description of plans to educate residents in target communities on fire
safety and smoke alarm installation and testing. Describe how records
of smoke alarm distribution and promotional activities will be
maintained and provided to the State coordinator.
Women, Racial and Ethnic Minorities. A description of the proposed
plan for the inclusion of both sexes and racial and ethnic minority
populations for appropriate representation.
E. Evaluation:
Provide a detailed description of the methods and design to
evaluate program effectiveness, including what will be evaluated, data
to be used, and the time frame. Document staff availability, expertise,
and capacity to evaluate program activities and effectiveness, and
demonstrate evaluation data availability. Evaluation should include
progress in meeting the objectives and conducting activities on
residential smoke alarm programs (process evaluation measures), and
increasing residential smoke alarm prevalence and functionality
(outcome measures).
F. Capacity and Staffing:
Describe the roles and responsibilities of the State Project
Coordinator and each Local Program Coordinator. Provide letters of
support from partnering agencies, sub-contractors, and consultants,
documenting their concurrence and/or specific involvement in proposed
program activities. Describe how a coalition of appropriate
individuals, agencies, and grass root organizations will be organized
to generate community input and support for smoke alarm promotion
campaigns. Provide a description of the relationship between the
program and community organizations, agencies, and health department
units that are collaborating to implement the program. Specifically,
identify and describe the role of State and/or local coalitions and
their individual commitments. Letters of support from public safety
officials should also be included if related activities are undertaken.
Describe previous experience in implementing injury prevention
programs, demonstrating the capacity to conduct a residential fire
prevention program.
G. Budget and Accompanying Justification:
Provide a detailed budget with accompanying narrative justifying
all individual budget items, which make up the total amount of funds
requested. The budget should be consistent with stated objectives and
planned activities. The budget should include funds for two trips to
Atlanta by the State Project Coordinator and one trip for 2 Local
Program Coordinators for skill building.
H. Human Subjects:
This section must describe the degree to which human subjects may
be at risk and the assurance that the project will be subject to
initial and continuing review by the appropriate institutional review
committees.
[[Page 26613]]
Evaluation Criteria
Applications will be reviewed and evaluated according to the
following criteria:
1. Background and Need (30 Percent)
The extent to which the applicant describes the magnitude of the
residential fire injury problem in the State, and the extent to which
low-income communities within the State are affected. Describe how the
likely results of proposed activities will impact the problem.
2. Goals and Objectives (15 Percent)
The extent to which the goals 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 (30 Percent)
The extent to which the applicant provides a detailed description
of proposed activities, which are likely to achieve program goals and
objectives, including individuals responsible for each action. The
extent to which the applicant provides a reasonable and complete
schedule for implementing activities. The extent to which position
descriptions, lines of command, and collaborations are appropriate to
accomplish program goals and objectives. The degree to which the
applicant has met the CDC Policy requirements regarding the inclusion
of women, ethnic, and racial groups in the proposed project. This
includes: (a) The proposed plan for the inclusion of both sexes and
racial and ethnic minority populations for appropriate representation;
(b) The proposed justification when representation is limited or
absent; (c) A statement as to whether the design of the study is
adequate to measure differences when warranted; and (d) A statement as
to whether the plans for recruitment and outreach for study
participants include the process of establishing partnerships with
community(ies) and recognition of mutual benefits will be documented.
4. Evaluation (15 Percent)
The extent to which the proposed evaluation plan is detailed and
will document program implementation strategies and results (i.e.
process and outcome objectives). The extent to which the applicant
demonstrates staff and/or collaborator availability, expertise, and
capacity to perform the evaluation.
5. Capacity and Staffing (10 Percent)
The extent to which the applicant can provide adequate facilities,
staff and/or collaborators, and resources to accomplish the proposed
goals and objectives during the project period. The extent to which the
applicant demonstrates staff and/or collaborator availability,
expertise, previous experience, and capacity to conduct the program
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 extent to which the applicant complies with the Department of
Health and Human Services Regulations (45 CFR Part 46)
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 Ron Van Duyne, III, Grants Management
Officer, ATTN: Joanne Wojcik, Grants Management Branch, Procurement and
Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 255
East Paces Ferry Road, NE., Room 300, Mailstop E-13, 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 (CFDA) number for this
project is 93.136.
Other Requirements
Human Subjects Requirements
If a project involves research on human subjects, assurance (in
accordance with Department of Health and Human Services Regulations, 45
CFR Part 46) of the protection of human subjects is required. 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 with 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. Unless the
grantee holds a Multiple Project Assurance, a Single Project Assurance
is required, as well as an assurance for each subcontractor or
cooperating institution that has immediate responsibility for human
subjects.
The Office for Protection from Research Risks (OPRR) at the
National Institutes of Health (NIH) negotiates assurances for all
activities involving human subjects that are supported by the
Department of Health and Human Services.
Requirements for Inclusion of Women and Racial and Ethnic
Minorities in Research
It is the policy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)
to ensure that individuals of both sexes and the various racial and
ethnic groups will be included in CDC/ATSDR-supported research projects
involving human subjects, whenever feasible and appropriate. Racial and
ethnic groups are those defined in OMB Directive No. 15 and include
American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Black or African American,
Hispanic or Latino, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander.
Applicants shall ensure that women, racial and ethnic minority
populations are appropriately represented in applications for research
involving human subjects. Where clear and compelling rationale exist
that inclusion is inappropriate or not feasible, this situation must be
explained as part of the application. This policy does not apply to
research studies when the investigator cannot control the race,
ethnicity, and/or sex of subjects. Further
[[Page 26614]]
guidance to this policy is contained in the Federal Register, Vol. 60,
No. 179, pages 47947-47951, and dated Friday, September 15, 1995.
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.
Application Submission and Deadline
The original and two copies of the application PHS Form 5161-1
(Revised 7/92, OMB Control number 0937-0189) must be submitted to
Joanne Wojcik, Grants Management Specialist, Grants Management Branch,
Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC), 255 East Paces Ferry Road, NE., Room 300, Mailstop E-
13, Atlanta, GA 30305, on or before July 14, 1998.
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 applications. Late applications
will not be considered in the current competition and will be returned
to the applicant.
Where To Obtain Additional Information
The program announcement and application forms may be downloaded
from internet: www.cdc.gov (look under funding). You may also receive a
complete application kit by calling 1-888-GRANTS4. You will be asked to
identify the program announcement number and provide your name and
mailing address. A complete announcement kit will be mailed to you.
If you have questions after reviewing the forms, for business
management technical assistance contact Joanne Wojcik, Grants
Management Specialist, Grants Management Branch, Procurement and Grants
Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 255 East
Paces Ferry Road, NE., Mailstop E-13, Atlanta, GA 30305, Internet:
jcw6@cdc.gov, telephone (404) 842-6535.
Programmatic assistance may be obtained from Mark Jackson, R.S.,
National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC), 4770 Buford Highway, NE., Mailstop K-63,
Atlanta, GA 30341-3724, telephone (770) 488-4652.
Please refer to Announcement 98054 when requesting information and
submitting an application.
The potential applicant 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 7, 1998.
Joseph R. Carter,
Acting Associate Director for Management and Operations Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
[FR Doc. 98-12644 Filed 5-12-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P
