Public Health Conference Support Grant Program

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry

[Announcement Number 423]

Public Health Conference Support Grant Program

Introduction

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR),

announces the availability of fiscal year (FY) 1994 funds for a grant

program for Public Health Conference Support.

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 Environmental Health. (For ordering a copy of

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

Information.)

Authority: This program is authorized under sections 104(i) (14)

and (15) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation,

and Liability Act (CERCLA) of 1980, as amended, [42 U.S.C. 9604(i)

(14) and (15)].

Smoke-Free Workplace

The 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

Eligible applicants are the official public health agencies of the

States 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, the Republic of Palau,

and federally recognized Indian tribal governments. State

organizations, including State universities, State colleges, and State

research institutions, must establish that they meet their respective

State legislature's definition of a State entity or political

subdivision to be considered an eligible applicant.

Availability of Funds

Approximately $250,000 is available in FY 1994 to fund

approximately 10 awards. It is expected that the average award will be

$25,000, ranging from $10,000 to $50,000. The awards will be made for a

12-month budget and project period. Funding estimates may vary and are

subject to change.

1. Grant funds may be used for direct cost expenditures: salaries,

speaker fees, rental of necessary equipment, registration fees,

transportation costs (not to exceed economy class fare) for non-federal

employees.

2. Funds may not be used for the purchase of equipment, payments

of honoraria, alterations or renovations, organizational dues,

entertainment/personal expenses, cost of travel and payment of a

Federal employee, for per diem or expenses other than local mileage for

local participants, or reimbursement of indirect costs. Although the

practice of handing out novelty items at meetings is often employed in

the private sector to provide participants with souvenirs, Federal

funds cannot be used for this purpose.

Recipient Financial Participation

Because this program provides partial funding only, it is necessary

that organizations seeking these grant funds be able to show additional

support in the form of finances, services, etc. For each organization

contributing funding, a letter must be included documenting that

support.

Purpose

This program will provide partial support for non-federal

conferences on disease prevention, health promotion, and information/

education projects related to hazardous substances in the environment.

Applications are being solicited for conferences on: (1) Health effects

of toxic substances; (2) Disease and exposure registries; (3) Hazardous

substance removal and remediation; (4) Emergency response to toxic and

environmental disasters; (5) Risk communication; (6) Disease

surveillance; and (7) Investigation and research. Because conference

support by ATSDR creates the appearance of ATSDR co-sponsorship, there

will be active participation by ATSDR in the development and approval

of those portions of the agenda supported by ATSDR funds. In addition,

the ATSDR will reserve the right to approve or reject the content of

the full agenda, speaker selection, and site selection. ATSDR funds

will not be expended for non-approved portions of meetings. Contingency

awards will be made allowing usage of only 10% of the total amount to

be awarded until a final full agenda is approved by ATSDR. This will

provide funds for costs associated with preparation of the agenda. The

remainder of funds will be released only upon approval of the final

full agenda. ATSDR reserves the right to terminate co-sponsorship if it

does not concur with the final agenda.

Program Requirements

Grantees must meet the following requirements:

1. Manage all activities related to program content (e.g.,

objectives, topics, attendees, session design, workshops, special

exhibits, speakers, fees, agenda composition and printing). Many of

these items may be developed in conjunction with assigned ATSDR project

personnel.

2. Provide draft copies of the agenda and proposed activities to

ATSDR for approval. Submit copy of final agenda and proposed activities

to ATSDR for approval.

3. Determine and manage all promotional activities (e.g., title,

logo, announcements, mailers, press, etc.). ATSDR must review and

approve of any materials with reference to ATSDR involvement or

support.

4. Manage all registrants (e.g., travel, reservations,

correspondence, conference materials and hand-outs, badges,

registration procedures, etc.).

5. Plan, negotiate, and manage conference site arrangements,

including all audio-visual needs.

6. Develop and conduct education and training programs on

prevention.

7. Participate in the analysis of data from conference activities

that pertain to the impact on prevention.

8. Collaborate with ATSDR staff in reporting and disseminating

results and relevant prevention education and training information to

appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies, and the general public.

Evaluation Criteria

Applications for support of the types of conferences listed in the

Purpose section above will be reviewed and evaluated according to the

following criteria:

1. Proposed Program and Technical Approach--50%

The description of (a) the public health significance of the

proposed conference including the degree to which the conference can be

expected to influence public health practices; (b) the feasibility of

the conference in terms of an operational plan; (c) clearly stated

conference objectives and the potential for accomplishing those

objectives; and (d) the method of evaluating the conference.

2. The Qualification of Program Personnel--30%

Evaluation will be based on the extent to which the proposal has

described (a) the qualifications, experience, and commitment of the

principal staff person, and his/her ability to devote adequate time and

effort to provide effective leadership, and (b) the competence of

associate staff persons, discussion leaders, speakers, and presenters

to accomplish the proposed conference.

3. Applicant Capability--20%

Evaluation will be based on the description of (a) the adequacy and

commitment of institutional resources to administer the program, and

(b) the adequacy of the facilities to be used for the conference.

4. Budget Justification and Adequacy of Facilities (Not Scored)

The proposed budget will be evaluated on the basis of its

reasonableness, concise and clear justification, and consistency with

the intended use of grant funds. The application will also be reviewed

as to the adequacy of existing and proposed facilities and resources

for conducting conference activities.

Executive Order 12372 Review

This program is not subject to the Executive Order 12372 review.

Public Health System Reporting Requirements

This program is not subject to the Public Health System Reporting

Requirements.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number is 93.161.

Other Requirements

Paperwork Reduction Act

Projects that involve the collection of information from 10 or more

individuals and funded by the grant 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 Form PHS 5161-1

shall be submitted in accordance with the schedule below:

Application Deadline

May 1, 1994

July 15, 1994

Applications must be submitted on or before the deadline date to:

Mr. 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, Atlanta,

Georgia 30305. By formal agreement, the CDC Procurement and Grants

Office will act on behalf of and for ATSDR on this matter.

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 review committee. (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 that do not meet the criteria in 1.a. or 1.b. above

are considered late applications and will be returned to the applicant.

Where To Obtain Additional Information

A complete program description and information on application

procedures are contained in the application package. Business

management technical assistance may be obtained from Margaret A. Slay,

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, Atlanta, Georgia 30305, telephone

(404) 842-6799. Programmatic technical assistance may be obtained from

Jim Carpenter, Project Officer, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease

Registry, Division of Health Studies, 1600 Clifton Road, NE., Mailstop

E-33, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, telephone (404) 639-6206.

Please Refer to Announcement Number 423 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) 783-3238.

Dated: March 28, 1994.

Walter R. Dowdle, Ph.D.,

Deputy Administrator, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.

[FR Doc. 94-7789 Filed 3-31-94; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4163-70-P