National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; National Center for the Prevention of Childhood Agricultural Injury; Availability of Funds for Fiscal Year 1997

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[Announcement 737]

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; National

Center for the Prevention of Childhood Agricultural Injury;

Availability of Funds for Fiscal Year 1997

Introduction

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the nation's

prevention agency, announces the availability of funds for fiscal year

(FY) 1997 for a cooperative agreement program to support a national

center to serve as a leader to facilitate activities and efforts toward

childhood agricultural injury prevention.

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 Occupational Safety and

Health. (For ordering a copy of Healthy People 2000, see the section

Where to Obtain Additional Information.)

Authority

This program is authorized under the Public Health Service Act, as

amended, Section 301(a) (42 USC 241(a)); the Occupational Safety and

Health Act of 1970, Sections 20(a)and 22 (29 USC 669(a) and 671.) The

applicable program regulation is 42 CFR Part 52.

Smoke-Free Workplace

CDC strongly encourages all grant recipients to provide a smoke-

free workplace and promote the non-use of all tobacco products, and

Public Law 103-227, the Pro-Children Act of 1994, prohibits smoking in

certain facilities that receive Federal funds in which education,

library, day care, health care, and early childhood development

services are provided to children.

Eligible Applicants

Applications may be submitted by public and private, nonprofit and

for-profit organizations and governments and their agencies. Thus,

universities, colleges, research institutions, hospitals, other public

and private organizations, State and local governments or their bona

fide agents, federally recognized Indian tribal governments, Indian

tribes or Indian tribal organizations, and small, minority- and/or

woman-owned businesses are eligible to apply.

Note: Public Law 104-65, dated December 19, 1995, prohibits an

organization described in section 501(c)(4) of the IRS Code of 1986,

that engages in lobbying activities to influence the Federal

Government, from receiving Federal funds.

Availability of Funds

Approximately $600,000 is available in FY 1997 to fund one award to

support a national center for the prevention of childhood agricultural

injury.

The amount of funding available may vary and is subject to change.

This award is expected to begin on or about August 1, 1997. The award

will be made for a 12-month budget period within a project period not

to exceed 5 years. Continuation awards within the project period will

be made on the basis of satisfactory progress and availability of

funds.

Use 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 USC 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 1997 HHS Appropriations Act, which became

effective October 1, 1996, expressly prohibits the use of 1997

appropriated funds for indirect or ``grass roots'' lobbying efforts

that are designed to support or defeat legislation pending before State

legislatures. This new law, Section 503 of Public Law 104-208, provides

as follows:

Sec. 503(a) No part of any appropriation contained in this Act

shall be used, other than for normal and recognized executive-

legislative relationships, 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, * * *

except in presentation to the Congress or any State legislative body

itself.

(b) 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.

Department of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and

Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1997, as enacted by the Omnibus

Consolidated Appropriations Act, 1997, Division A, Title I, Section

101(e), Public Law 104-208 (September 30, 1996).

Background

Agriculture has been consistently ranked among the most hazardous

industries in the United States. It is one of the few occupational

settings where children may actively participate in work typically

performed by adults, or be present at the work site while their parents

are working. In 1991, there were 923,000 children under the age of 15

years and 346,000 children 15-19 years of age residing on United States

farms and ranches. Another 800,000 children lived in households of

hired farm workers and may work on farms with their parents. In

addition, many children, whose parents are not farmers or farm workers,

will visit and work on farms.

It is estimated that 100,000 children each year will suffer a

preventable injury associated with production agriculture. This figure

includes children who are residents, visitors to a farm, and who work

on a farm. For the years 1992-1995, the Bureau of Labor Statistics

identified work-related injury deaths of children less than 18 years of

age in agriculture as being 8 times greater than their representation

in the workforce (40 percent of the work-

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related deaths of children during this period occurred in agriculture

compared to only 5 percent of working children less than 18 years of

age who worked in agriculture in 1990). These figures do not include

deaths of children who were not working at the time of injury, but were

killed by agricultural work hazards in their living environment. A

recent study indicates 104 fatalities per year were attributable to

childhood injuries which occur on farms. An emergency department-based

nonfatal occupational injury study indicated injuries incurred by

children attributable to the agricultural industry comprised about 7

percent of the total occupational injuries reported. Fractures and

dislocations were more than 3 times greater for the agricultural

industry, which could indicate that agricultural injuries for children

are more severe than for other industries.

In April 1996, the National Committee for Childhood Agricultural

Injury Prevention (NCCAIP) published a National Action Plan to maximize

the safety and health of all children and adolescents who may be

exposed to agricultural hazards. The National Action Plan includes 13

objectives and 43 recommended action steps that call for funding of

research and safety programs by the Federal government, foundations,

agribusiness, and other public and private sector groups and nonprofit

community-based organizations. The National Action Plan specifically

calls for developing linkages among researchers, public sector

agencies, and private sector foundations, corporations, associations,

nonprofit community-based organizations and other groups who can enact

change; conducting efforts to ensure the public is aware of childhood

agricultural safety and health issues; using consensus-building

processes which involve interdisciplinary experts and stakeholders to

arrive at guidelines and recommended standards for research and

practices; and using state-of-the-art information and materials which

are essential for achieving the objectives set forth in the plan.

Congress allocated FY 1997 funds to the National Institute for

Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to facilitate implementation of

the National Action Plan.

Purpose

The purpose of this cooperative agreement is:

A. To establish a national center which would serve as a leader to

facilitate childhood agricultural injury prevention efforts and

activities.

B. To provide or enhance efforts to prevent injuries and illnesses

occurring to children who visit, live or work on farms, or are

associated with other agricultural activities that pose a risk to

children.

C. To establish linkages and partnerships with the agricultural

community to facilitate the implementation of the National Action Plan.

D. Identify and facilitate the use of state-of-the-art information

and programs to prevent childhood agricultural injuries.

The goal of the national center will be to influence the knowledge,

attitudes, and practices of individuals and groups to protect children

and adolescents from agricultural injuries and illnesses.

Program Requirements

In conducting activities to achieve the purpose of this program,

the recipient will be responsible for activities under A. (Recipient

Activities), and CDC/NIOSH will be responsible for the activities

listed under B. (CDC/NIOSH Activities).

A. Recipient Activities

1. Establish a national center for research findings, programs, and

information which have been shown to be effective in preventing

childhood agricultural injuries.

2. Establish and maintain contacts with organizations, groups and

individuals which supply childhood agricultural injury prevention

information and data.

3. Facilitate awareness and utilization of the center through

appropriate activities, including but not limited to involving

minority-serving groups, organizations, etc.

4. Coordinate and collaborate with established and ongoing health

communication efforts, such as the National Safety Council's ``Farm

Safety and Health Week,'' ``Farm Safety 4 Just Kids,'' etc.

5. Organize and manage multi-perspective work groups which use

consensus-building processes to arrive at recommended standards/

guidelines for agricultural youth work and the protection of bystander

children; and standards for data collection and program evaluation.

6. Collaborate and facilitate the involvement of the private sector

into childhood agricultural injury prevention activities.

7. Collaborate with researchers and public and private sector

agencies, organizations, and other groups who can enact change through

prevention efforts and activities.

B. CDC/NIOSH Activities

1. Provide technical assistance with program development,

implementation, maintenance, priority setting, evaluation efforts, and

information and dissemination activities.

2. Facilitate linkages with researchers and public and private

sector agencies and organizations to plan, implement, and evaluate

childhood agricultural injury prevention efforts.

3. Collaborate with the recipient in joint safety and health

communication and dissemination efforts of prevention information.

Technical Reporting Requirements

An original and two copies of semi-annual progress reports are

required. Timelines for the semi-annual 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 are submitted to the Grants Management Branch, Procurement and

Grants Office, CDC.

Semi-annual progress report should include:

A. A brief program description.

B. A listing of program goals and objectives accompanied by a

comparison of the actual accomplishments related to the goals and

objectives established for the period.

C. If established goals and objectives to be accomplished were

delayed, describe both the reason for the deviation and anticipated

corrective action or deletion of the activity from the project.

D. Other pertinent information, including the status of

completeness, timeliness and quality of data.

Application Content

The entire application, including appendices, should not exceed 60

pages and the Proposal Narrative section contained therein should not

exceed 25 pages. Pages should be clearly numbered and a complete index

to the application and any appendices included. 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 12 point or greater) on 8\1/2\'' by 11'' paper, with at least 1''

margins, headers, and footers, and printed on one side only. Do not

include any spiral or bound materials or pamphlets.

The applicant should provide a detailed description of first-year

activities and briefly describe future-year objective and activities.

[[Page 23465]]

A. Title Page

The heading should include the title of grant program, project

title, organization, name and address, project director, and telephone

number.

B. Abstract

A one page, singled-spaced, typed abstract must be submitted with

the application. The heading should include the title of grant program,

project title, organization, the project director's name, address and

telephone number. This abstract should include a detailed work plan

identifying specific activities to be developed, specific activities to

be completed, and a time-line for completion of these activities.

C. Proposal Narrative

The narrative of each application must:

1. Briefly state the applicant's understanding of the need or

problem to be addressed, the purpose, and goals over the five year

period of the cooperative agreement.

2. Describe in detail the objectives and the methods to be used to

achieve the objectives of the project. The objectives should be

specific, time-phased, measurable, and achievable during each budget

period. The objectives should directly relate to the program goals.

Identify the steps to be taken in planning and implementing the

objectives and the responsibilities of the applicant for carrying out

the steps.

3. Provide the name, qualifications, and proposed time allocation

of the Project Director who will be responsible for administering the

project. Describe staff, experience, facilities, equipment available

for performance of this project, and other resources that define the

applicant's capacity or potential to accomplish the requirements stated

above. List the names (if known), qualifications, and time allocations

of the existing professional staff to be assigned to (or recruited for)

this project, the support staff available for performance of this

project, and the available facilities including space.

4. Document the applicant's expertise and extent of involvement in

the area of childhood agricultural injury prevention.

5. Provide letters of support or other documentation demonstrating

collaboration of the applicant's ability to work with diverse groups,

establish linkages, and facilitate awareness information.

6. Human Subjects: State whether or not Humans are subjects in this

proposal. (See Human Subjects in the Evaluation Criteria and Other

Requirements sections.)

7. Inclusion of women, ethnic, and racial groups:

Describe how the CDC policy requirements will be met regarding the

inclusion of women, ethnic, and racial groups in the proposed research.

D. Budget

Provide a detailed budget which indicates anticipated costs for

personnel, equipment, travel, communications, supplies, postage, and

the sources of funds to meet these needs. The applicant should be

precise about the program purpose of each budget item. For contracts

described within the application budget, applicants should name the

contractor, if known; describe the services to be performed; and

provide an itemized breakdown and justification for the estimated costs

of the contract; the kinds of organizations or parties to be selected;

the period of performance; and the method of selection. Place the

budget narrative pages showing, in detail, how funds in each object

class will be spent, directly behind form 424A. Do not put these pages

in the body of the application. CDC may not approve or fund all

proposed activities.

Evaluation Criteria

The application will be reviewed and evaluated according to the

following criteria:

A. Background and Need (10%)

Understanding of the problem and need for activities in the

proposal.

B. Experience (25%)

The extent to which the applicant's prior work and experience in

childhood agricultural injury issues is documented, including length of

time committed to childhood agricultural injury prevention; linkages

developed; collaboration with other individuals or groups; strength of

leadership.

C. Goals, Objectives and Methods (15%)

1. The extent to which the proposed goals and objectives are

clearly stated, time-phased, and measurable. The extent to which the

methods are sufficiently detailed to allow assessment of whether the

objectives can be achieved for the budget period. The extent to which a

qualified plan is proposed that will help achieve the goals stated in

the proposal.

2. 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 plan

for recruitment and outreach for study participants include the process

of establishing partnerships with community(ies) and recognition of

mutual benefits.

D. Facilities and Resources (15%)

The adequacy of the applicant's facilities, equipment, and other

resources available for performance of this project.

E. Project Management and Staffing Plan (15%)

The extent to which the management staff and their working partners

are clearly described, appropriately assigned, and have pertinent

skills and experiences. The extent to which the applicant proposes to

involve appropriate personnel who have the needed qualifications to

implement the proposed plan. The extent to which the applicant has the

capacity to design, implement, and evaluate the proposed intervention

program.

F. Evaluation (15%)

The extent to which goals and objectives encompass both process and

outcome evaluation for the activities listed. The extent to which an

evaluation plan describes the method and design for evaluating the

program's effectiveness. Evaluation should include progress in meeting

the objectives and conducting activities during the project and budget

periods, and the impact of the activities implemented on childhood

injury.

G. Collaboration (5%)

The extent to which all 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.

Evidence or a statement should be provided that these funds do not

duplicate already funded components of ongoing projects.

H. Human Subjects (Not scored)

Whether or not exempt from the Department of Health and Human

Services (DHHS) regulations, are procedures adequate for the protection

of human subjects? Recommendations on the adequacy of protections

include: (1) Protections appear adequate, and

[[Page 23466]]

there are no comments to make or concerns to raise, (2) protections

appear adequate, but there are comments regarding the protocol, (3)

protections appear inadequate and the Objective Review Group has

concerns related to human subjects or (4) disapproval of the

application is recommended because the research risks are sufficiently

serious and protection against the risks are inadequate as to make the

entire application unacceptable.

I. Budget Justification (Not scored)

The budget will be evaluated to the extent that it is reasonable,

clearly justified, and consistent with the intended use of funds.

Executive Order 12372 Review

Applications are not subject to the review requirements of

Executive Order 12372.

Public Health System Reporting Requirements

The applicant is not subject to review under the Public Health

System Reporting Requirements.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number

The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number is 93.262.

Other Requirements

Human Subjects

If the proposed project involves research on human subjects, the

applicant must comply with the DHHS Regulations, 45 CFR Part 46,

regarding the protection of human subjects. Assurance must be provided

to demonstrate 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 form provided in the application kit.

In addition to other applicable committees, Indian Health Service

(IHS) institutional review committees also must review the project if

any component of IHS will be involved or will support the research. If

any American Indian community is involved, its tribal government must

also approve that portion of the project applicable to it.

Women, Racial and Ethnic Minorities

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, Alaskan Native, Asian, Pacific Islander, Black and

Hispanic. 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 guidance to this policy

is contained in the Federal Register, Vol. 60, No. 179, pages 47947-

47951, and dated Friday, September 15, 1995.

Application Submission and Deadlines

A. Preapplication Letter of Intent

Although not a prerequisite of application, a non-binding letter of

intent-to-apply is requested from potential applicants. The letter

should be submitted to Victoria F. Sepe, Grants Management Specialist,

Grants Management Branch, CDC at the address listed in this section. It

should be postmarked no later than June 1, 1997. The letter should

identify program announcement number 737, and name of the principal

investigator. The letter of intent does not influence review or funding

decisions, but it will enable CDC to plan the review more efficiently

and will ensure that each applicant receives timely and relevant

information prior to application submission.

B. Application

The original and two copies of the application PHS Form 5161-1

(Revised 7/92, OMB Number 0937-0189) must be submitted to Victoria

Sepe, Grants Management Specialist, Grants Management Branch,

Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention (CDC), 255 East Paces Ferry Road, NE, Room 321, Atlanta, GA

30305, on or before June 30, 1997.

1. Deadline: Applications will 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. (The applicants must request

a legibly dated U.S. Postal Service postmark or obtain a 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 Applicants: 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 applicants.

Where To Obtain Additional Information

To receive additional written information call 1-888 GRANTS4. You

will be asked to leave your name, address, and telephone number and

will need to refer to Announcement 737. You will receive a complete

program description, information on application procedures, and

application forms. CDC will not send application kits by facsimile or

express mail. Please refer to Announcement Number 737 when requesting

information and submitting an application.

If you have questions after reviewing the contents of all the

documents, business management technical assistance may be obtained

from Victoria Sepe, Grants Management Specialist, Grants Management

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

Prevention (CDC), Mailstop E-13, Room 321, 255 East Paces Ferry Road,

NE., Atlanta, GA 30305, telephone (404) 842-6804, Internet:

[email protected].

Programmatic technical assistance may be obtained from David L.

Hard, Ph.D., Division of Safety Research, National Institute for

Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention (CDC), 1095 Willowdale Road, Morgantown, WV 26505, telephone

(304) 285-6068, or Internet address: [email protected]

This and other CDC announcements are available through the CDC

homepage on the Internet. The address for the CDC homepage is: http://

www.cdc.gov.

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) 512-1800.

Useful References

The following documents may also provide useful information:

National Committee for Childhood Agricultural Injury Prevention.

Children and Agriculture: Opportunities for Safety and Health.

Marshfield, WI: Marshfield Clinic, 1996. For access to the document,

the WEB address to that

[[Page 23467]]

section is: ``http://www.marshmed.org/nfmc/actionplan/title.htm''.

Dated: April 24, 1997.

Diane D. Porter,

Acting Director, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health,

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

[FR Doc. 97-11195 Filed 4-29-97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4163-19-P