Regional Poison Control Center Demonstration Project; Notice of Availability of Funds for Fiscal Year 1994

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

[Announcement Number 482]

Regional Poison Control Center Demonstration Project; Notice of

Availability of Funds for Fiscal Year 1994

Introduction

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

availability of funds in fiscal year (FY) 1994 for a cooperative

agreement for a comprehensive cost-effectiveness analysis of a regional

Poison Control Center.

The Public Health service (PHS) is committed to achieving the

health promotion and disease prevention objectives described in

``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 Reducing the Incidence

of Unintentional Injuries and Poisonings. (For ordering a copy of

``Healthy People 2000,'' see the Section ``Where to Obtain Additional

Information.'')

Authority

This program is authorized under Sections 301 and 391 of the Public

Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 241 and 280b), as amended. Applicable

program regulations are set forth in Title 42 CFR part 52.

Smoke-Free Workplace

The Public Health Service (PHS) strongly encourages all grant

recipients to provide a smoke-free workplace and promote the non-use of

all tobacco products. This is consistent with the PHS mission to

protect and advance the physical and mental health of the American

people.

Eligible Applicants

Assistance will be provided only to a regional Poison Control

Center which provides services in a single State, multi-state area or a

portion of a State. The center must be certified by the American

Association of Poison Control Centers. Poison Control Centers are the

only eligible applicants because no other organization can perform the

project activities.

Availability of Funds

Approximately $188,000 is available in FY 1994 to fund one Regional

Poison Control Center. It is expected that the award will begin on or

about September 30, 1994, and will be made for a 12-month budget

period, with a project period of up to 3 years. Funding estimates may

vary and are subject to change. Continuation of funding for future

years will be made on the basis of satisfactory progress, including the

achievement of milestones, and the availability of Federal funds.

Use of Funds

These awards may be used for personnel services, supplies,

equipment, travel, subcontracts and services directly related to

project activities. Project funds may not be used to supplant existing

State or local funds for poison control programs.

Purpose

The purpose of this cooperative agreement is to support a

demonstration project at a regional Poison Control Center. This project

will evaluate the costs and effectiveness of the regionalized approach

to poison control. For a comprehensive evaluation, alternative methods

for providing poison control services in the region served by the

center also need to be analyzed.

Program Requirements

The applicant must be a certified member of the American

Association of Poison Control Centers. In conducting activities to

achieve the purpose of this program, the recipient shall be responsible

for the activities under A. (Recipient Activities), and CDC shall be

responsible for activities under B. (CDC Activities).

A. Recipient Activities

1. Create the necessary data collection instruments and procedures,

and provide coordination and standardization of data collection

activities among multiple sites, if necessary.

2. Analyze and interpret the data.

3. Evaluate the cost-effectiveness of alternative poison control

strategies including the regional control center. This includes

incremental cost-effectiveness results, information on economies of

scale (if such exist), distribution effects of the alternative

strategies in terms of clients served and distribution of costs.

4. Publicize the outcome of the demonstration project.

B. CDC Activities

1. Provide up-to-date scientific information about cost-

effectiveness study methodology.

2. Provide consultation and technical assistance in protocol

development and design of data collection instruments and procedures.

3. Monitor data collection and analysis and provide consultation in

establishing standardized data collection and reporting, if necessary.

4. Provide statistical support for appropriate data analysis and

interpretation.

5. Assist in the transfer of information and methods developed in

this project to other programs.

Evaluation Criteria

Applications will be reviewed and evaluated according to the

following criteria:

1. Background and Need (10%)

The extent to which the applicant demonstrates understanding of the

need for a cost-effectiveness analysis of a regional Poison Control

Center. The extent to which the applicant presents data describing the

magnitude and type of human poisoning exposures and poisonings in the

region served by the applicant, identifies alternative sources of

poison control services, and demonstrates capacity through related work

to conduct the proposed project.

2. Goals and Objectives (10%)

The extent to which the applicant has included goals that are

specific, measurable, and relevant to the purpose of the proposal. The

extent to which the applicant has included objectives that are

specific, time-framed, measurable, feasible, and addressed all

activities necessary to accomplish the purpose of the proposal.

3. Methods (40%)

The extent to which the applicant provides a detailed description

of proposed activities that are likely to achieve each objective for

the budget period. The extent to which the applicant provides a

reasonable schedule for implementation of the activities and the extent

to which coordination and supervision of staff and organizations

involved in activities is apparent. The extent to which data

collection, data processing, and management activities are described.

The extent to which relationships between the applicant and necessary

partners are clearly described and their qualifications and intentions

to participate explicitly stated. The extent to which the applicant

provides proof of support (e.g., letters of support and/or memoranda of

understanding) for proposed activities.

4. Evaluation (30%)

The extent to which the proposed evaluation plan and research

protocol are detailed and will document the cost-effectiveness of a

regional Poison Control Center. The extent to which the evaluation plan

is appropriate for the region served, data collection opportunities,

and the proposed project period. The extent to which the various

threats to the validity of the study are recognized and addressed.

5. Project Management and Staffing (10%)

The extent to which management and staff are clearly described,

appropriately assigned, and have pertinent skills and experiences.

Descriptions should include the position titles, education and

experience required, and the percentage of time each will devote to the

project. Curriculum vitae for existing staff should be included.

6. Budget Justification (not weighted)

The extent to which the applicant provides a detailed budget

justification consistent with stated objectives, planned program

activities and intended use of cooperative agreement funds.

Executive Order 12372 Review

Applications are subject to Intergovernmental Review of Federal

Programs as governed by Executive Order (EO) 12372. EO 12372 sets up a

system for State and local government review of proposed Federal

assistance applications. Applicants should contact their State Single

Point of Contact (SPOC) as early as possible to alert them to the

prospective applications and to 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 send 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., Atlanta, GA 30305, no later than 60 days after the

application deadline. The Program Announcement Number and Program Title

should be referenced on the document. The granting agency does not

guarantee to ``accommodate or explain'' 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 93.136.

Other Requirements

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 an appropriate

institutional review committee. The applicant will be responsible for

providing assurance in accordance with the appropriate guidelines and

forms provided in the application kit.

Application Submission and Deadline

The original and five copies of the application PHS Form 398 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 321, Mailstop E-13, Atlanta, GA 30305, on or before July 29, 1994.

1. Deadlines

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 objective review group. (Applicants 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 shall not be acceptable as proof of timely mailing.)

2. Late Applications

Applications which do no 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

A complete program description, information on application

procedures, business management technical assistance, and an

application package may be obtained from Georgia Jang, Grants

Management Specialist, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for

Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 255 East Paces Ferry Road, NE.,

room 321, Mailstop E-13, Atlanta, GA 30305, telephone (404) 842-6634.

Scientific or technical assistance may be obtained from Daniel A.

Pollock, M.D., and Paul Burlack, National Center for Injury Prevention

and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1600

Clifton Road, NE., Mailstop F-41, Atlanta, GA 30333, telephone (404)

488-4031.

Programmatic technical assistance may be obtained from Paul

Burlack, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for

Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1600 Clifton Road, NE., Mailstop

F-41, Atlanta, GA 30333, telephone (404) 488-4031.

Please refer to Announcement Number 482 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) through the Superintendent

of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402-9325,

telephone (202) 783-3238.

Dated: May 25, 1994.

Ladene H. Newton,

Acting Associate Director for Management and Operations, Centers for

Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

[FR Doc. 94-13229 Filed 5-31-94; 8:45 am]

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