Sexually Transmitted Diseases/Human Immunodeficiency Virus Prevention Training Centers; Notice of Availability of Funds

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[Program Announcement 00031]

Sexually Transmitted Diseases/Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Prevention Training Centers; Notice of Availability of Funds

A. Purpose

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announces the

availability of fiscal year (FY) 2000 funds for a cooperative agreement

program for the Sexually Transmitted Diseases/Human Immunodeficiency

Virus (STD/HIV) Prevention Training Centers (PTCs). This program

addresses the ``DRAFT Healthy People 2010'' priority areas of Sexually

Transmitted Diseases and HIV Infection. The purpose of this cooperative

agreement is to provide innovative, high-quality training that enhances

STD and HIV prevention services across the United States. The PTCs will

function as a national training network which, in collaboration with

CDC and public and private partners, will design, deliver, and evaluate

training that is responsive to national, regional, and local needs for

STD/HIV training. Such training targets health care providers and

prevention specialists who serve individuals most in need of STD/HIV

services, including ethnic and racial minorities, women, youth,

incarcerated individuals, homeless individuals, and substance users.

Special efforts must be made to recruit and train providers from

settings that serve large numbers of individuals at risk for STD/HIV,

such as STD and HIV clinics, HIV counseling and testing sites, family

planning clinics, antenatal clinics, adolescent health clinics,

community and migrant health centers, substance abuse clinics,

correction and detention centers, health care for the homeless

programs, and managed care plans.

The PTCs will provide training in support of the Essential

Functions and Areas of Special Emphasis (discussed in the Addendum to

this announcement) through three distinct, but related parts:

Part I: Up to 10 centers to provide training that enhances

essential STD medical and laboratory services.

Part II: Up to four centers to provide training on

behavioral and social interventions that have shown evidence of

effectiveness in reducing risky behaviors associated with transmission

of STD/HIV infection.

Part III: Up to four centers to provide training on STD/

HIV partner services in accordance with the HIV PCRS Guidance and the

``STD Program Operations Guidelines (POG)'', and support services

defined as program management, surveillance and data management,

outbreak response planning, and evaluation.

Although the three Parts have different training objectives, they

are expected to function synergistically to realize the goal of

maintaining a national training network in support of STD/HIV Essential

Functions and Areas of Special Emphasis. To facilitate this goal, the

geographic model depicted in the Addendum section of the announcement

will be employed. Please review this section.

Under this announcement, high-quality STD/HIV training for health

care providers and prevention specialists is that which translates

cutting edge research findings into training courses with specific

application to STD/HIV prevention programs. To achieve this high-

quality training, each PTC must be structured and function as a

partnership between an academic institution and a state or local public

health department.

The PTCs are intended to be dynamic and flexible and to work with

one another and with CDC to be responsive to changes in STD/HIV

morbidity, advances in STD/HIV prevention, detection and treatment, and

changes in Areas of Special Emphasis.

Specific information about each training Part is provided below.

Part I: STD Medical and Laboratory Services Training

Health care professionals must possess the requisite skills to

effectively detect, treat, and manage individuals with STDs, and to

provide effective STD/HIV prevention messages to their patients. Part I

PTCs will provide state-of-the-art STD medical and laboratory services

clinical training to practicing health care providers in a geographic

region that corresponds to a designated HHS region. To help ensure

regional coverage, each Part I PTC will provide at least 200 hours of

clinical training each year, 50 percent of which must consist of

experiential training in at least two model STD clinics located in

geographically dispersed locations within the HHS region, preferably in

separate states. Because private practitioners diagnose and treat the

vast majority of individuals with STDs, they are a primary audience for

Part I clinical training, as are practitioners who serve individuals at

high risk for STDs. Practitioners in managed care plans are a specific

target audience for Part I PTC training. Health professions students

and medical residents receive STD/HIV training as part of their

professional training program, and, therefore, are a secondary rather

than a primary audience for PTC training. Students and residents should

not account for more than 20 percent of the total number of trainees in

any given year. To ensure high-quality training, Part I PTCs must

demonstrate close collaboration with health professions training

programs in the region (e.g., schools of medicine, nursing, physician

assistant programs), utilizing expert STD faculty from such programs as

PTC consultants or trainers.

Part II: Behavioral and Social Interventions Training

Prevention of STDs, including HIV, typically requires individuals

to change behaviors that place them at risk for STD/HIV infection. In

recent years, behavioral and social intervention research has

documented effective individual, group, and community-level

interventions that help promote and maintain such behavior change.

Behavioral interventions aim to change

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individuals' behaviors and tend to emphasize individual and small group

approaches, such as counseling and small group discussion with skills

demonstration. Social interventions aim to change social norms that

influence individuals' behaviors and may use small group or community-

level approaches, such as engaging key opinion leaders as educators and

community mobilization. Part II PTC training must be focused on

interventions that have been developed and tested through empirical

research. Collaboration with the individuals associated with the

original research is encouraged, whenever possible. At a minimum, Part

II PTCs must demonstrate that individuals with recognized expertise in

the field of behavioral or social interventions will serve the PTC in a

consulting or training capacity. Because a number of effective

behavioral and social intervention curricula currently exist,

curriculum development should not be a major activity of the Part II

PTCs. However, if existing curricula focus solely on HIV, they will

need modification so as to include emphasis on other STDs for training

under this announcement.

Each Part II PTC is expected to provide at least 120 hours of

training each year, with at least \1/3\ of each training course being

an experiential learning opportunity for trainees in model clinic- or

community-based behavioral or social intervention programs or classroom

settings, as appropriate. CDC, through the Behavioral and Social

Science Volunteer (BSSV) Project, enlists volunteer social scientists

to provide technical assistance to state and local HIV prevention

projects; Part II PTCs must collaborate with BSSV and other HIV

technical assistance personnel to ensure follow-up support for their

behavioral and social science intervention training (see definition of

BSSV Project in appendix 2 in the application package). The recipients

of part II training are public health care professionals, health

educators, counselors, prevention program managers, and others

responsible for designing or implementing STD and HIV prevention

interventions, especially with high-risk populations. The primary

coverage area is the quadrant within which the Part II PTC is located

(see appendix 3 for a description of HHS regions, quadrants, map and

accompanying text); however, Part II PTCs are expected to collaborate

with each other and with CDC to develop a national plan that may

require Part II PTCs to train outside of their quadrants.

Part III: Partner Services and Support Services Training

Identifying and appropriately intervening with partners of

individuals with STD/HIV infection is a critical activity for breaking

the cycle of infection and is an essential component of a national,

comprehensive STD/HIV prevention system. Partner services training will

focus on STD/HIV partner elicitation, notification, and referral, and

on STD counseling, and case management for federal, state, and local

STD/HIV personnel and others who work with STD/HIV infected individuals

and their partners.

Additionally, Part III PTCs will provide training that strengthens

STD/HIV prevention programs in state and local health departments. This

training will be composed of support services training that is defined

in this program announcement as program management, surveillance and

data management, outbreak response planning, and evaluation. This is a

new area of emphasis for Part III PTCs; examples of these courses

include, but are not limited to:

1. STD Program Management: courses on creating tailored materials

to support the development of effective prevention interventions (e.g.,

social marketing; health communication; media advocacy).

2. Surveillance and Data Management: courses that support the

timely and accurate collection of STD information; data analysis for

purposes of program planning.

3. Outbreak Response: courses on developing and implementing a plan

to efficiently respond to increases in STD incidence.

4. Program Evaluation: courses that develop skills to design and

implement effective evaluation strategies as integral components of STD

prevention programs.

Part III PTCs must provide at least 500 hours of training each

year, with at least \1/4\ of the hours devoted to experiential skills-

building sessions. Because much of the Part III training is intended to

support CDC-funded STD and HIV prevention programs, and the need for

training will vary by program, the PTCs will work closely with CDC to

ensure that cost-effective, appropriate training is delivered in areas

of greatest need. For example, the southern quadrant of the United

States, with high syphilis morbidity, will need increased partner

services and support services training to advance the national syphilis

elimination initiative. The western quadrant, with low syphilis

morbidity, will not have this same degree of need and will be able to

design their partner services and support services training programs to

address other identified needs. The required training hours will be

divided between partner services training and support services training

in collaboration with CDC to meet training needs in the quadrants and

nationally. The primary coverage area is the quadrant within which the

Part III PTC is located; however, Part III PTCs are expected to

collaborate with each other and with CDC to develop a national plan

that may require Part III PTCs to train outside of their quadrants.

B. Eligible Applicants

Assistance for Part I, Part II, and Part III awards will be

provided only to public or private colleges or universities, or health

departments of states or their bona fide agents, that are located in

the continental United States, including the District of Columbia.

Applications from a college or university must document substantial

collaboration with a state or local health department; applications

from state or local health departments must document substantive

collaboration with a college or university.

Competition is limited to the partnership described above because

college or university faculty members can bring cutting edge research

findings to PTC training courses, and health department staff members

can translate those findings in ways that enhance STD/HIV prevention

programs. Competition is geographically limited as described above to

accomplish cost-efficient training. Because PTCs are required to

provide training in large geographic areas, PTCs located long distances

from their coverage area and with limited air transportation would

incur excessive program or trainee travel costs.

A single applicant may apply for all of these training awards in a

single application with a separate section and budget for each Part.

Note: Public Law 104-65 states that an organization described in

section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 that engages

in lobbying activities is not eligible to receive Federal funds

constituting an award, grant, cooperative agreement, contract, loan,

or any other form.

C. Availability of Funds

1. Approximately $4 million is available in FY 2000 to fund

approximately ten Part I awards. It is expected that the average base-

level award will be $400,000, ranging from $300,000 to $450,000.

2. Approximately $1 million is available in FY 2000 to fund

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approximately four Part II awards. It is expected that the average

base-level award will be $250,000, ranging from $200,000 to $275,000.

3. Approximately $1.45 million is available in FY 2000 to fund

approximately four Part III awards. It is expected that the average

base-level award will be $362,500, ranging from $300,000 to $425,000.

Awards for each Part will be made independently. It is expected

that the awards will begin on or about April 1, 2000, and will be made

for a 12-month budget period within a project period of up to 5 years.

Funding estimates may change.

Over the project period, it is anticipated that supplemental funds

for highly focused, time-limited projects within the scope of this

announcement may become available to develop, implement, and evaluate

training related to national STD/HIV priorities.

Continuation awards within an approved project period will be made

on the basis of satisfactory progress as demonstrated by required

reports and the availability of funds.

Use of Funds

Cooperative agreement funds may be used to support personnel,

equipment, and supplies necessary for professional training, including

distance learning activities. Funds may not be used to lease space;

maintain central registries; provide diagnostic and treatment

facilities or services; provide behavior intervention programs or

services; develop literature for the general public; provide disease

intervention services or HIV counseling and testing; or to pay other

expenses normally supported by the applicant. Unless specifically

approved, funds may not be used for renovation of facilities. Federal

funds may supplement but not supplant existing training support.

Any materials developed in whole or in part with CDC funds shall be

subject to a nonexclusive, irrevocable, royalty-free license to the

government to reproduce, translate, publish, or otherwise use and

authorize others to use for government purposes.

Include funding for two persons per part to attend (1) a three-day,

post-award meeting in Atlanta, and (2) a three-day meeting in a city to

be determined later.

Recipient Financial Participation

Program income in the form of participant registration fees may be

collected to offset the costs of conducting training as specified in

this announcement. Registration fees are not intended to produce income

for the PTC, but they may help defray the cost of training materials,

training facility expenses, audiovisual equipment rental, or speakers'

fees. Registration fees should be established at the most reasonable

rate to encourage the greatest participation. Program income may

support the costs of designing and delivering additional training

courses directly related to PTC objectives and as determined by the

assessment of training needs.

Funding Preference

Geographic preference for funding will be given to applications in

each Part to achieve the goal of establishing a comprehensive, national

STD/HIV training network based on the concept of broad geographic

quadrants as described in the addendum.

D. Program Requirements

In conducting activities to achieve the purpose of this program,

the recipient will be responsible for the activities listed under 1.

(Recipient Activities), and CDC will be responsible for the activities

listed under 2. (CDC Activities). Unless otherwise stated, recipient

activities and CDC activities pertain to each of the three parts.

1. Recipient Activities

a. Administration:

(1) Applicants that receive funding for more than one Part should

designate one coordinator to serve as a single point of contact and to

be responsible for the administrative duties related to all training

activities funded under this announcement;

(2) Organize and maintain a PTC Advisory Committee to provide

feedback about training needs of target populations, the

appropriateness of educational content, and to ensure that PTC staff

members are qualified and work together without duplicating

administrative expense. If funded for more than one part, the PTC may

maintain one Advisory Committee, with a membership whose collective

expertise qualifies them to advise on all parts.

(3) Develop and implement a protocol for collaboration with the

other PTCs within the geographic quadrant for the purpose of on-going

needs assessments, sharing resources, co-sponsorship of training

courses, and other activities that ensure that STD/HIV prevention

training provided by each part is available and well-coordinated in

each HHS region within a quadrant.

(4) Collaborate with CDC in developing and maintaining a National

Network of Prevention Training Centers (NNPTC) Steering Committee

composed of one representative and one alternate each from Part I, Part

II, and Part III.

(5) Participate in NNPTC, quadrant-specific, and Part-specific

(e.g., Part I, Part II, Part III) conferences, meetings, and conference

calls.

b. STD/HIV Program-related Issues:

(1) Maintain liaisons with national, regional, state, or local STD/

HIV prevention programs (e.g., state and local health departments, HIV

Community Planning Groups, national STD/HIV organizations or

associations) to help determine emerging training needs and to help

design and deliver training programs that avoid overlap and provide

training that is most relevant to the greatest needs of STD/HIV

prevention programs.

(2) Based on need in the coverage area, provide training that

addresses the Areas of Special Emphasis as stated in the addendum.

(3) Serve as a resource for STD information to health care

providers or prevention specialists in public and private settings,

especially those in managed care organizations, health departments, and

community-based organizations (CBOs) and non-governmental organizations

(NGOs). Collaborate with existing HIV information and technical

assistance resources such as the National Prevention Information

Network (NPIN)and other CDC-funded programs that support HIV

prevention.

c. Collaborations:

(1) Collaborate with experts in the community and in graduate

schools, as necessary, to design or write training needs assessments,

educational objectives, curriculum content, instructional design,

state-of-the-art delivery methods, and course evaluations.

(2) Establish innovative arrangements with universities for student

academic involvement in PTC activities (e.g., graduate assistantships

or internships).

(3) Collaborate with other STD/HIV training programs (e.g., AETCs,

RTCs)to share training curricula and resources for needs assessments,

program planning, and joint training presentations.

d. Model Clinic-and Community-based Services:

(1) Training provided by all Parts must include experiential

components designed to build trainees' skills in specific areas.

Depending on the objectives and design of a specific training course,

the experiential training may take place in model STD clinics or

community-based prevention or intervention programs, or the classroom.

Additionally, it is expected that the PTCs will collaborate with CDC

and

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other NNPTC members to provide regional or national training programs

utilizing distance education methods.

(2) For Part I and Part III experiential training requirements,

utilize model STD clinics, which are those that follow CDC guidelines

for integrated STD and HIV client management, clinic operation, client-

centered counseling, and partner counseling, including elicitation,

notification, and referral.

(3) For Part II experiential training requirements, utilize model

STD clinics (as described above) or community-based STD/HIV behavioral

or social intervention programs that have evidence of reducing sex-and

drug-risk behavior and STD/HIV infections.

e. Distance Learning: As needed, utilize distance learning

strategies or products that are regional or national in scope and

usable by other PTCs and training agencies. Distance learning can

include off-site programs, satellite broadcasts, remote video

instruction, self-study modules, train-the-trainer, computer-based

training, CD ROM, and web-based instruction.

f. Continuing Education and Course Management:

(1) Acquire and award continuing medical education (CME) credit and

continuing education units (CEU) that meet the needs of most course

participants.

(2) Maintain a course registration database, including required CME

and CEU documentation.

g. Evaluation:

(1) Conduct on-going evaluation of all courses, both independently

and in conjunction with the CDC, NNPTC, or both.

(2) Determine and measure appropriate process indicators (e.g.,

trainee demographics, quality of presentations), immediate training

impact (e.g., changes in knowledge, attitudes and skills), and long-

range outcomes (e.g., changes in provider practice behavior, changes in

client health status, changes in STD/HIV service delivery), especially

for high-risk populations.

(3) Establish, maintain, and support Internet connection and other

information or communications systems and hardware and software that

will allow for gathering, entering, and transmitting data to the CDC

for inclusion in a NNPTC national database.

2. CDC Activities

a. Technical Assistance: Provide STD/HIV subject matter, education,

and technology experts to advise and assist in curriculum development;

to advise on course objectives, instructional design, and delivery; to

ensure that evaluation is consistent with desired training outcomes; to

be a source of up-to-date information on STD and HIV epidemiology and

national STD/HIV prevention programs and priorities; and to advise on

budget issues.

b. Distance Learning Assistance: Provide information on the Public

Health Training Network (PHTN) in support of distance learning training

activities.

c. Program Reviews: Conduct site visits to:

(1) Review training capabilities to ensure adequate facilities,

procedures, and staff

(2) Advise on instructional design and curriculum content

(3) Provide technical assistance in defining and resolving problems

(4) Monitor program implementation, project management, and

evaluation activities

(5) Advise on the availability of guidelines, curricula, training

aids, and software developed by CDC, the PTCs, or other agencies that

can help PTCs meet their training objectives.

d. Within three months of funding (notice of grant award), CDC will

convene a meeting of all funded Part I, II, and III PTCs to outline a

collaborative training plan within and between quadrants, as

appropriate, and to begin developing the NNPTC.

e. Facilitate collaboration between the PTCs in a geographic

quadrant to ensure that each HHS region within the quadrant receives

well-coordinated training offered by each of the three Parts.

f. Support the NNPTC: Through NNPTC meetings, facilitate networking

between NNPTC members and support the development and maintenance of

committees to maximize the expertise of NNPTC members for all Parts.

There will be two NNPTC meetings per year in each of the first two

years of funding, and at least one per year in each of the remaining

three years.

g. Collaborate with Part II and Part III PTCs to guide the

development of training programs and training schedules that meet

national needs for behavioral and social intervention training and

partner services and support services training.

h. Communication: Through publications, correspondence, narrative

reports, and electronic communication, keep PTC staff members informed

of national issues that affect training and program management.

i. Monitoring and Evaluation: Monitor and evaluate program

activities by coordinating and supporting a national course

registration database, providing technical assistance for staff

database training, and analyzing and publishing cumulative data on

NNPTC training effectiveness using training program and trainee

evaluation information submitted quarterly by awardees to CDC using a

standardized format.

E. Application Content

Use the information in the Program Requirements, Other

Requirements, and Evaluation Criteria sections to develop the

application content. Applications will be evaluated on the requirements

listed, so it is important to follow them in laying out your program

plan. If you cannot currently meet one or more of the requirements,

describe your plan to do so, including a time line. Provide brief,

specific examples (1-2 pages) of each requirement rather than a lengthy

narrative. The narrative section of each Part should be no more than 45

pages (8\1/2\'' x 11''), excluding budget. Each section must use no

less than 1.5 spacing and be printed on one side, with one inch

margins, and 12-point font. Letters of support, organizational charts,

biosketches, position descriptions, lists of training equipment,

inventories of computer hardware and software, and examples of existing

program materials should be included in an appendix.

You must submit a single application that has a separate section

and budget for each Part for which you are applying. Pages should be

numbered sequentially throughout the entire application, regardless of

the number of Parts for which funding is sought. If applying for more

than one Part, you may refer to information in a previous section, as

appropriate.

F. Submission and Deadline

Letter of Intent

In order to assist CDC in planning for and executing the evaluation

of applications submitted under this program announcement, all parties

intending to submit an application are requested to submit a letter of

intent regarding their intention to do so by January 30, 2000.

Notification should include name and address of the institution and

name, address, and telephone number of the contact person, as well as

the Part(s) for which funding will be sought; no detailed description

of the proposed training program is sought. The letter of intent should

be submitted on or before January 30, 2000 to the Grants Management

Specialist identified in the ``Where to Obtain Additional Information''

section of this announcement.

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Application

Submit the original and two copies of PHS 5161-1 (OMB Number 0937-

0189). Forms are available at the following Internet address:

www.cdc.gov/* * * Forms, or in the application kit.

On or before March 7, 2000, submit the application to the Grants

Management Specialist identified in the ``Where to Obtain Additional

Information'' section of this announcement.

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 group. (Applicants must request a

legibly-dated U.S. Postal Service postmark or obtain a legibly-dated

receipt from a commercial carrier or U.S. Postal Service. Private

metered postmarks shall not be acceptable as proof of timely mailing.)

Late Applications: Applications which do not meet the criteria in

(a) or (b) above are considered late applications, will not be

considered, and will be returned to the applicant.

G. Evaluation Criteria

Each application will be evaluated individually against the

following criteria by an independent review group appointed by CDC.

Only information in the application will be considered. Applications

for each Part will be evaluated separately according to the following

criteria (maximum 200 points).

1. Abstract (Not Scored)

A summary (1 page) of the program, indicating the Part, the

coverage area, the name of the person with authority over the PTC, the

academic and public health collaborators, other key collaborators, the

training objectives, the training audiences, and the training

evaluation plan.

2. Introduction/Program Description (Total 35 Points)

The extent to which the applicant provides:

a. A brief history of your training experience related to the Part

for which funding is sought; (5 points)

b. An organization chart showing linkages between universities/

colleges and state or local health departments and related PTC

positions, indicating lines of authority; (5 points)

c. Position descriptions for proposed PTC staff, including

credentials and appropriate experience (e.g., training experience,

management experience, STD or HIV prevention program experience); (5

points)

d. A description of the PTC Advisory Committee, including function,

meeting schedule, and individual members and their affiliation; (5

points)

e. A proposed protocol for collaborating with other PTCs in the

geographic quadrant (i.e., time schedule for conference calls or

meetings; proposed joint activities); (5 points)

f. A plan or descriptive outline of proposed cost-efficient

arrangements with health professional training programs and graduate

schools for obtaining faculty, fellows, and graduate students to

participate in PTC activities (e.g., educational research, needs

assessment, formative evaluation, preparing training materials);(5

points)

g. A letter from each university/college or health department

partner of intent to participate in the PTC, specifying the training-

related activities that will be provided (e.g., program coordination,

serving as a clinical training site, providing faculty to develop or

teach courses, evaluation activities). (5 points)

3. Training Capability (Total 40 Points)

The extent to which the applicant provides:

a. A description of training faculty, noting credentials and

previous training experience including a one-page biosketch for each

faculty member; (5 points)

b. A plan, with anticipated costs, for acquiring CME and CEU

appropriate for most trainees; (5 points)

c. A description of proposed training site(s), including location,

number of students that can be accommodated, and any costs to

participants for attending training at the proposed site(s) (e.g.,

lodging, per diem, travel); (5 points)

d. A list of available training equipment, such as overhead

projector, carousel projector, flip chart, melamine or chalk board,

projection screen, podium, video recorder/player, and additional

equipment used in training (e.g., light and dark-field microscopes;

equipment available to support any proposed distance learning

activities); (5 points)

e. Inventory of available office computers capable of supporting

computer-based training and data processing, including software,

printers, modem; (5 points)

f. A plan for keeping training faculty and staff current on content

area and educational methodology (e.g., through graduate school

contacts, libraries, and Internet); (5 points)

g. A plan to reproduce volumes of print-based course materials

quickly and economically; (5 points)

h. A design for providing resources to trainees (e.g., books,

newsletters, journals, videotapes, literature files, and guidelines).

(5 points)

4. Training Needs Assessment (Total 30 Points)

Given the Part's training focus and coverage area the extent to

which the applicant provides:

a. A description of activities conducted to determine the training

needs of health care providers and prevention specialists in the

coverage area. The extent to which the applicant provides the source of

the data and the time period to which the data correspond (e.g., CDC or

state or local STD/HIV surveillance data; data from training surveys

conducted by applicant or others; HIV Community Planning Group plans;

state, regional, or national documents that identify STD/HIV training

needs). It should describe the training needs in the coverage area

related to the Areas of Special Emphasis (see addendum). It should also

note STD/HIV prevention training in the coverage area that is provided

by other programs and how that affects the training plan; (10 points)

b. A summary, in narrative or chart format, of target audiences,

training locations, educational content, training methods, and

collaborations with other STD/HIV training programs. These should

reflect priorities determined by the needs assessment described in 4.a

above; (10 points)

c. A process to keep the PTC updated on the training needs of

target audiences in their coverage area. (10 Points)

5. Training Objectives (Total 20 Points)

The extent to which the applicant provides specific, measurable,

time-phased, realistic educational objectives that reflect the didactic

and experiential STD/HIV prevention training needs in their coverage

area.

6. Plan of Operation (Total 50 Points)

The extent to which the applicant provides information on the

program components and activities listed below that are specific to the

training Part for which they are applying. If applying for more than

one Part, describe any linkages between Parts.

Part I: STD Medical and Laboratory Services Training

a. Clinical Capability (Total 20 Points)

For each of the two model STD clinics that will serve as clinical

training sites,

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the extent to which the applicant provides:

(1) Current STD morbidity statistical tables (one year) by disease,

sex, age, and race or ethnicity, that demonstrate a client volume and

profile that reflects regional disease trends and allows for diverse

clinical training opportunities; (4 points)

(2) A current list of the type and number of the state laboratory

tests performed over the past year and those sent to reference

laboratories; (2 points)

(3) A list of diseases for which testing, diagnosis, and treatment

procedures in the clinic follow CDC guidelines; (2 points)

(4) A clinic and fee schedule that demonstrates accessibility for

communities at risk (e.g., daily, evening, and weekend hours, continual

services, and free or low-cost services); (2 points)

(5) An STD clinic floor plan indicating (by arrows) the route that

clients take and the stops they must make to receive integrated

services, and showing a traffic pattern that minimizes movement for

clients and preserves confidentiality; (2 points)

(6) An outline of clinic management protocols, such as elements of

the registration procedure and appointment, triage, and priority

systems; (2 points)

(7) The numbers and types of clinic staff members and the time

devoted to their main client responsibilities; (2 points)

(8) A copy of the clinic record; (2 points)

(9) A description of the quality assurance plan and committee, and

of the clinic's management structure. (2 points).

b. Training Activities (Total 20 Points)

The extent to which the applicant:

(1) Outlines a model one-year training plan, based on the training

capabilities and the needs assessment, that consists of at least 200

course hours, with at least 50% of the course hours devoted to

experiential training activities that allow participants the

opportunity to interact with clients under the direction of qualified

preceptors. For each proposed course in the training plan, the extent

to which the applicant notes the name of the course, length of the

course, training dates, locations (facility, city, and state), training

audiences, training faculty, course objectives, brief content outline,

and evaluation plan; (10 points)

(2) Describes how the training plan addresses the Areas of Special

Emphasis as described in the addendum; (5 points)

(3) Describes plans to conduct one or more courses through distance

learning technologies in the coverage area within one year (including

production, marketing, and delivery). (5 points)

c. Training Marketing Plan (Total 10 Points)

The extent to which the applicant describes a plan to market

training courses to target audiences in the coverage area.

Part II: Behavioral and Social Interventions Training

a. Clinic- and Community-based Training Capability (Total 20 points)

The extent to which the applicant provides:

(1) A description of proposed clinic-or community-based training

sites that provide behavioral or social intervention programs targeting

people whose behaviors place them at risk for acquiring or transmitting

STDs, including HIV (e.g., in STD and HIV clinics, storefronts,

recreation centers, public sex environments, street settings). The

behavioral or social interventions should focus on increasing early,

effective health care seeking behaviors, as well as reducing STD/HIV

risk behaviors. For each of the proposed training sites, the applicant

should provide:

(a) A brief description of the behavioral or social intervention;

(5 points)

(b) A Profile of persons reached in the previous year (numbers,

demographics, networks, risk behaviors); (5 points)

(c) Numbers and titles of behavioral or social intervention staff

and their primary responsibilities; (5 points)

(d) A quality assurance plan for the behavioral or social

intervention program(s). (5 points)

b. Training Activities (Total 20 Points)

(1) The extent to which the applicant outlines a one-year training

plan, based on training capabilities and the needs assessment, that

consists of at least 120 hours of behavioral or social intervention

courses, including two comprehensive training courses per year and at

least one specific-topic training course per quarter (described below).

At least one third of each course must include an experiential training

component (e.g., practice with peers, colleagues, or instructors;

prevention counseling; group facilitation; community outreach;

prevention material development) aimed at developing participants'

skills in prevention activities. For each proposed course in the

training plan, note the name of the course, length of the course,

training dates, locations (program/facility, city, and state), training

audiences, training faculty, course objectives, brief content outline,

and evaluation plan. For each comprehensive course, describe the

effective, science-based behavior change theories or models upon which

it is based (e.g., Diffusion of Innovations, Protection Motivation

Theory, Social Cognitive Theory, Social Learning Theory, Theory of

Reasoned Action, Health Belief Model, Problem Solving Therapy Model,

Transtheoretical Model of Behavior Change).(10 points)

(a) Comprehensive courses are typically three to five days long and

may include such topics as introduction to behavioral and social

science theories and models, and application of theories and models to

effective individual, group, and community-level STD/HIV prevention

interventions.

(b) Specific-topic Courses: Specific-topic courses are typically

one to two days in length. They include such courses as communicating

how STDs and HIV are transmitted and how health risks are reduced

(e.g., client-centered counseling, peer networks, therapeutic trainers,

group counselor-educators, street outreach), creating tailored

materials to support effective prevention interventions, and recruiting

and maintaining prevention partners with affected communities. The

number, type, and delivery of topic-specific courses will be determined

in collaboration with CDC and other Part II PTCs.

(2) The extent to which the applicant describes how the training

plan addresses the Areas of Special Emphasis (as described in the

addendum). (5 points)

(3) The extent to which the applicant describes how training

addresses cultural norms, values, and traditions; is sensitive to

issues of sexual identity; is developmentally appropriate; and is

linguistically specific and educationally appropriate. (5 points)

c. Training Marketing Plan (Total 10 Points)

The extent to which the applicant describes a plan to market

training courses to target audiences in the coverage area.

Part III: Partner Services Training

a. Partner Services Capability (Total 20 Points)

The extent to which the applicant provides:

(1) A current activity table (1 year) of types and numbers of

clients and partner services intervention outcomes. Intervention

outcomes include numbers

[[Page 1905]]

of clients eligible for interview; percentage interviewed; numbers of

sex and needle-sharing partners per client interviewed; percentage of

partners located; and percentage tested or treated for syphilis, HIV

infection, and other STDs addressed with partner services. (5 points)

(2) A list of the numbers and types of STD/HIV prevention program

staff members and their main client responsibilities, noting the number

of staff members available to serve as preceptors for Part III

training. (5 points)

(3) A quality assurance plan for partner services. (5 points)

(4) Copies of interview forms. (5 points)

b. Training Activities (Total 20 Points)

The extent to which the applicant:

(1) Outlines a training plan for the first year that is based on

training capabilities and the needs assessment and includes at least

500 course hours, with at least 25 percent of the course hours devoted

to experiential training for federal, state, and local STD/HIV program

personnel and others who engage in STD/HIV prevention activities in the

coverage area. For each proposed course in the training plan, note the

name of the course, length of the course, training dates, locations

(facility, city, and state), training audiences, training faculty,

course objectives, brief content outline, and evaluation plan. The

training plan should include the following courses: (15 points)

(a) Partner Services Courses: These are standardized courses, each

with required hours. Fundamentals of Disease Intervention (40 hours),

Introduction to STD Intervention (80 hours), and HIV Partner Counseling

and Referral Services (24 hours).

(b) Proposed support service courses as described in Section A.

(2) Describes how the training plan addresses the Areas of Special

Emphasis in the addendum. (5 points)

c. Training Marketing Plan (Total 10 Points)

The extent to which the applicant describes a plan to market

training courses to target audiences in the coverage area.

7. Evaluation (Total 25 Points)

Each Part must participate in and conduct ad hoc and on-going

evaluation of all courses, both independently and in conjunction with

the CDC, NNPTC, or both. Each Part must address the evaluation

requirements below.

The extent to which the applicant provides:

a. A one-page biosketch (or position description) of the individual

designated to oversee the PTC evaluation activities. (3 points)

b. A one-page biosketch (or position description) of the individual

designated to serve as data administrator to manage and coordinate data

gathering, entry, submission, and analysis. (2 points)

c. A plan for utilizing program evaluation data to provide

continuous quality improvement of the PTC (e.g., quality of program and

presentations, reaching target audiences, geographic distribution of

courses and trainees, usefulness of educational content). (10 points)

d. A plan for conducting evaluation activities that determine: (10

points)

(1) Impact of training (e.g., changes in knowledge, attitudes, and

skills); and

(2) Outcome of training (e.g., changes in provider practice

behavior; changes in client health status; changes in HIV/STD service

delivery).

8. Budget (Not Scored)

CDC will establish a separate funding base for each training award

(Part I, Part II, Part III).

a. Provide separate budgets for each Part with appropriate

justifications. The total funding request is the sum of the separate

budgets. List each Part in a separate column on the 424A form, section

B.

b. List and justify the cost of any additional training or computer

equipment necessary to carry out the training plan.

H. Other Requirements

Technical Reporting Requirements

Provide CDC with the original plus two copies of:

1. Quarterly narrative progress reports which include training

program and trainee evaluation information in a standardized format

provided by CDC. In years 02-05 of the project period, the narrative

progress report should be submitted semi-annually. Progress reports

must highlight major program accomplishments, document program progress

and problems encountered in meeting program objectives, and report on

tangential activities that influence PTC operations. The progress

report informs CDC of progress by cooperative agreement recipients and

is also a tool for documenting and disseminating information on

successful training strategies that can be used by other PTCs.

2. Financial status report, no more than 90 days after the end of

the budget period.

3. Final financial status and performance report, no more than 90

days after the end of the project period.

Send all reports to the Grants Management Specialist identified in

the ``Where to Obtain Additional Information'' section of this

announcement.

The following additional requirements are applicable to this

program. For a complete description of each, see Attachment I in the

application kit.

AR-4: HIV/AIDS Confidentiality Provisions

AR-5: HIV Program Review Panel Requirements

AR-7: Executive Order 12372 Review

AR-8: Public Health System Reporting Requirements

AR-9: Paperwork Reduction Act Requirements

AR-10: Smoke-Free Workplace Requirements

AR-11: DRAFT Healthy People 2010

AR-12: Lobbying Restrictions

AR-14: Accounting System Requirements

AR-15: Proof of Non-Profit Status

I. Authority and Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number

This program is authorized under section 318 (42 U.S.C. 247c),

section 301 (42 U.S.C. 241), section 311 (42 U.S.C. 243), and section

317 (42 U.S.C. 247b), of the Public Health Service Act, as amended.

Regulations governing Grants for STD Research Demonstrations and Public

and Professional Education are codified in Part 51b, Subparts A and F

of Title 42, Code of Federal Regulations. The Catalog of Federal

Domestic Assistance Number is 93.978, Sexually Transmitted Disease

Research, Demonstrations, and Public Information and Education Grants,

and 93.941, HIV Demonstration, Research, Public and Professional

Education Projects.

J. Where To Obtain Additional Information

To receive additional written information and to request an

application kit, call 1-888-GRANTS4 (1-888-472-6874). You will be asked

to leave your name and address and will be instructed to identify the

Announcement number of interest.

If you have questions after reviewing the contents of all the

documents, business management technical assistance may be obtained

from: Brenda Hayes, Grants Management Specialist, Grants Management

Branch, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention, Room 3000, 2920 Brandywine Road, Atlanta, GA 30341-4146,

Telephone number (770) 488-2725, Email address [email protected]

[[Page 1906]]

See also the CDC home page on the Internet for other funding,

application forms, etc: http://www.cdc.gov

For program technical assistance, contact: Donna Anderson, Chief,

Training and Health Communications Branch, Division of STD Prevention,

NCHSTP, CDC, 1600 Clifton Road, N.E., MS E-02, Atlanta, GA 30333,

Telephone number: (404) 639-8360, E-mail: [email protected]

Potential applicants may obtain a copy of ``DRAFT Healthy People

2010'' (Full Report: Stock No. 017-001-00474-0) or ``DRAFT Healthy

People 2010'' (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)

783-3238.

John L. Williams,

Director, Procurement and Grants office.

[FR Doc. 00-680 Filed 1-11-00; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4163-18-P