Community Based Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Prevention Projects for African Americans; Notice of Availability of Funds

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[Program Announcement 99092]

Community Based Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Prevention

Projects for African Americans; Notice of Availability of Funds

A. Purpose

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

availability of fiscal year (FY) 1999 funds for a cooperative agreement

program to support community-based organizations (CBOs) to develop and

implement effective community-based HIV prevention programs for African

American populations. These CBOs should have evolved from and be

located within the communities they serve. This program addresses the

``Healthy People 2000'' priority areas of Educational and Community

Based Programs, HIV Infection, and Sexually Transmitted Diseases

(STDs).

The goals of this program are to:

1. Provide financial and technical assistance to CBOs so they can

provide HIV prevention services to African American populations for

which gaps in services are demonstrated;

2. Support HIV prevention programs that are consistent with the HIV

prevention priorities outlined in the jurisdiction's comprehensive HIV

prevention plan or adequately justify addressing other priorities;

3. Promote collaboration and coordination of HIV prevention efforts

among CBOs; HIV prevention community planning groups; and other local,

State, Federal, and privately funded programs.

B. Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants are CBOs that meet the following criteria (also

see Proof of Eligibility section):

1. Have been granted tax-exempt status under section 501(c)(3), as

evidenced by an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) determination letter.

2. Have a board or governing body composed of greater than 50

percent African Americans.

3. Be located and provide services for African Americans in any of

the following 20 high AIDS prevalence metropolitan statistical areas

(MSAs) 1 with more than 1000 estimated African Americans

living with AIDS at the end of 1997:2 (Please see Attachment

1 for a complete listing of counties included in each MSA)

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\1\ OMB Bulletin 98-06 available at http://www.census.gov/

population/www/estimates/metrodef.html.

\2\ HIV/AIDS Surveillance Supplemental Reports: Characteristics

of Persons Living with AIDS at the End of 1997. Volume 5, Number 1

available at http://www.cdc.gov/nchstp/hiv__aids/stats/hasrlink.htm.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

a. Atlanta, GA; Baltimore, MD; Boston-Worcester-Lawrence-Lowell-

Brockton, MA-NH; Chicago, IL; Dallas, TX; Detroit, MI; Fort Lauderdale,

FL; Houston, TX; Jacksonville, FL; Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA; Miami,

FL; Newark, NJ; New Haven-Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury-Waterbury, CT;

New Orleans, LA; New York City, NY; Oakland, CA; Philadelphia, PA-NJ;

San Francisco, CA; Washington, DC-MD-VA-WV; and West Palm Beach-Boca

Raton, FL.

OR

b. Be located or provide services for African Americans in any of

the following counties or independent city, not included in the list of

MSAs above, that had the most syphilis cases in 1997. The counties are:

Cumberland, NC; Cuyahoga, OH; Davidson, TN; Forsyth, NC; Franklin, OH;

Fresno, CA; Guilford, NC; Hinds, MS; Jefferson, AL; Jefferson, KY;

Maricopa, AZ; Marion, IN; Milwaukee, WI; Oklahoma, OK; Shelby, TN; and

Tuscaloosa, AL. The independent city is St. Louis, MO.

4. African Americans must serve in greater than 50 percent of key

positions, including management, supervisory, administrative, and

service provision positions (for example, executive director, program

director, fiscal director, outreach worker, prevention case manager,

counselor, group facilitator, or trainer).

5. Documentation of an established record of services to the target

population is required. An established record is defined as a minimum

of two years serving the target population.

6. African American CBOs currently funded under program

announcement 704 that meet criteria one through five above are eligible

to apply for funding under this program announcement. However, awards

to these currently funded CBOs will not exceed $100,000 and no more

than 10 such awards will be made.

7. Faith-based community organizations that meet criteria one

through six above are eligible to apply. For the purpose of this

program announcement, a faith-based community organization is an

organization which has a religious, faith, or spiritual focus or

constituency, and has access to local religious, faith, and spiritual

leaders. Examples of eligible organizations include individual

churches, mosques, or temples, or networks of same; or CBOs whose

primary constituency is faith, spiritual, or religious communities,

organizations, or leaders thereof.

8. Two or more CBOs may apply as a collaborative partnership. In a

collaborative contractual partnership, one CBO must be the legal

applicant and will function as the lead organization. The lead

organization must meet criteria one through five specified above.

Collaborating organizations must meet criteria 3.a. or 3.b. above.

Note: A CBO can only submit one application under this

announcement; that is, it may apply as an individual organization or

as part of a collaboration, but not both.

9. Local affiliates, chapters, or programs of national and regional

organizations are eligible to apply. The local affiliate, chapter, or

program applying must meet criteria one through eight above.

10. Governmental or municipal agencies, their affiliate

organizations or agencies (e.g., health departments, school boards,

public hospitals), and

[[Page 23077]]

private or public universities and colleges are not eligible for

funding under this announcement.

Note: Pub. L. 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

Approximately $9,000,000 is available in FY 1999 to fund

approximately 45 awards. It is expected that awards will begin on or

about September 30, 1999 and will be made for a 12-month budget period

within a project period of up to 4 years.

1. Approximately $7,200,000 will be awarded to CBOs which are

located and provide services for African Americans in the 20 high AIDS

prevalence MSAs with more than 1000 estimated African Americans living

with AIDS at the end of 1997 (see Section B.3.a., above). It is

expected that the average award will be $200,000, ranging from $150,000

to $300,000. Applications requesting more than $300,000, including

indirect costs, will not be considered.

2. Approximately $1,800,000 will be awarded to CBOs located OR

providing services for African Americans in the counties and

independent city with the most syphilis cases in 1997 but not included

in the top 20 MSAs (See Section B.3.b., above). It is expected that the

average award will be $200,000, ranging from $150,000 to $250,000.

Applications for more than $250,000 will not be considered.

3. Approximately $900,000 of the funds in Sections C.1 and C.2

above (which total $9,000,000), may be awarded to CBOs currently funded

under Program Announcement 704 that (a) are located and provide

services for African Americans in any of the 20 high AIDS prevalence 20

MSAs listed in Section B.3.a., above; or (b) are located OR provide

services in the counties and one independent city listed in Section

B.3.b., above. Awards for CBOs currently funded under Program

Announcement 704 will not exceed $100,000. Applications for more than

$100,000 will not be considered. In addition, the total individual

awards including funds provided under Program Announcement 704 and this

announcement will not exceed a combined total of $300,000. Funds

awarded to currently funded CBOs must be used to enhance or expand

existing activities and not to supplant funds from other sources.

Funding estimates may change based on the availability of funds.

Continuation awards within an approved project period will be made

on the basis of availability of funds and the applicant's satisfactory

progress toward achieving objectives. Satisfactory progress toward

achieving objectives will be determined by progress reports and site

visits conducted by CDC representatives. Proof of continued eligibility

is required with noncompeting continuation applications.

Note: Funds to support CBOs to provide HIV prevention services

to African American communities are also available under Program

Announcement 99091--Community Based HIV Prevention Services and

Capacity Building Assistance to Organizations Serving Gay Men of

Color at Risk for HIV Infection, and Program Announcement 99096--

HIV Prevention Projects for African American Faith Based

Organizations. Eligible organizations may apply for and receive

funding under more than one of these announcements; however, the

total combined funding provided to any organization under these

three announcements will not exceed $300,000.

Use of Funds

Funds provided under this announcement must support activities

directly related to primary HIV prevention. However, intervention

activities which involve preventing other STDs or substance abuse as a

means of reducing or eliminating the risk of HIV transmission may also

be supported. No funds will be provided for direct patient medical care

(including substance abuse treatment, medical treatment, or

medications) or research.

Applicants may contract with other organizations under these

cooperative agreements; however, applicants must perform a substantial

portion of the activities (including program management and operations

and delivery of prevention services) for which funds are requested.

Applications requesting funds to support only administrative and

managerial functions will not be accepted.

Funding Priorities

In making awards, priority for funding will be given to:

Ensuring a distribution of CBO awards in terms of targeted risk

behaviors, based on AIDS morbidity in African Americans.

Interested persons are invited to comment on the proposed funding

priority. All comments received within 30 days after publication in the

Federal Register will be considered before the final funding priority

is established. If the funding priority changes because of comments

received, a revised announcement will be published in the Federal

Register, and revised applications will be accepted before the final

selections are made. Address comments to: Albertha Carey, Grants

Management Specialist, Grants Management Branch, Procurement and Grants

Office 2920 Brandywine Road, Room 3000, Mailstop E-15, Atlanta, Georgia

30341-4146.

Funding Preference

In making awards, preference for funding will be given to:

Ensuring a geographic distribution of CBO awards, based on AIDS

morbidity in African Americans.

D. Program Requirements

HIV prevention interventions are specific activities (or set of

related activities)using a common method of delivering the prevention

messages to reach persons at risk of becoming HIV-infected or, if

already infected, of transmitting the virus to others. The goal of HIV

prevention interventions is to bring about HIV risk reduction in a

particular population.

In order to maximize the effective use of CDC funds, each applicant

must conduct at least one of the following priority HIV prevention

interventions: (1) HIV Counseling, Testing, and Referral Services; (2)

Individual Level Interventions; (3) Group Level Interventions; (4)

Community Level Interventions; and (5) Street and Community Outreach. A

brief description of these priority interventions is provided in

Attachment 2. Also, please reference the materials included in the tool

kit for additional information about these interventions. The tool kit

will be sent with the application packet.

Although activities may overlap from one type of intervention to

another (e.g., individual or group level interventions may be a part of

a community-level intervention), each applicant must indicate which one

of the five interventions is the primary focus.

Because of the resources, special expertise, and organizational

capacities needed for success, applicants should carefully consider the

feasibility of undertaking more than two of the priority interventions

listed. Recipients proposing to conduct more than two of these priority

prevention interventions must demonstrate the capacity to implement

them effectively.

In conducting activities to achieve the purpose of this program,

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

(Recipient Activities) and CDC will be responsible for

[[Page 23078]]

activities under number 2. (CDC Activities) below.

1. Recipient Activities

a. Use epidemiologic data, needs assessments, and prioritization of

groups and interventions to design program activities.

b. Develop program activities which are consistent with applicable

State and local comprehensive HIV prevention plans or adequately

justify addressing other priorities.

c. Provide--or assist high risk clients in gaining access to--HIV

counseling, testing, and referral for other needed services.

d. Conduct health education and risk reduction interventions for

persons at high risk of becoming infected or transmitting HIV to

others.

e. Assist HIV-positive persons in gaining access to appropriate HIV

treatment and other early medical care, substance abuse prevention

services, STD screening and treatment, reproductive and perinatal

health services, partner counseling and referral services, psychosocial

support, mental health services, TB prevention and treatment, primary

HIV prevention such as health education and risk reduction services,

and other supportive services. High-risk clients who test negative

should be referred to appropriate health education and risk reduction

services and other appropriate prevention and treatment services.

f. Ensure adequate protection of client confidentiality.

g. Coordinate and collaborate with health departments, community

planning groups, and other organizations and agencies involved in HIV

prevention activities, especially those serving the target population.

h. Participate in the HIV prevention community planning process.

Participation may include involvement in workshops; attending meetings;

if nominated and selected, serving as a member of the group; reporting

on program activities; or reviewing and commenting on plans.

i. Incorporate cultural competency and linguistic and developmental

appropriateness into all program activities and prevention messages.

j. Coordinate program activities with relevant national, regional,

State, and local HIV prevention programs to prevent duplication of

efforts.

k. Monitor and evaluate major program and intervention activities

and services supported with CDC HIV prevention funds under this

cooperative agreement. This should include assessing client

satisfaction periodically via quantitative (e.g., periodic surveys) and

qualitative methods (e.g., focus groups).

l. Compile ``lessons learned'' from the project and facilitate the

dissemination of ``lessons learned'' and successful prevention

interventions and program models to other organizations and CDC through

peer-to-peer interactions, meetings, workshops, conferences, internet,

communications with project officers, and other capacity-building and

technology transfer mechanisms.

m. Work with CDC-funded capacity-building assistance programs to

meet your and other organizations' capacity-building needs.

n. Develop and implement a plan for obtaining additional resources

from non-CDC sources to supplement the program conducted through this

cooperative agreement and to enhance the likelihood of its continuation

after the end of the project period.

o. Adhere to CDC policies for securing approval for CDC sponsorship

of conferences.

p. Before using funds awarded through this cooperative agreement to

develop HIV prevention materials, recipients must check with the CDC

National Prevention Information Network (NPIN) to determine if suitable

materials are already available. Also, materials developed by

recipients must be made available for dissemination through the CDC

NPIN.

CDC's National Prevention Information Network (NPIN) maintains a

collection of HIV, STD and TB resources for use by organizations and

the public. Successful applicants may be contacted by NPIN to obtain

information on program resources for use in referrals and resource

directories. Also, grantees should send three copies of all educational

materials and resources developed under this grant for inclusion in

NPIN's databases.

NPIN also makes available information and technical assistance

services for use in program planning and evaluation. For further

information on NPIN services and resources, contact NPIN at 1-800-458-

5231 (TTY users: 1-800-243-7012). NPIN's web site is www.cdcnpin.org;

the fax number is 1-888-282-7681.

2. CDC Activities

a. Coordinate a national capacity building and technology transfer

network.

b. Provide consultation and technical assistance in planning,

implementing, and evaluating prevention activities. CDC may provide

consultation and technical assistance both directly and indirectly

through prevention partners such as health departments, national and

regional minority organizations (NRMOs), contractors, and other

national organizations.

c. Provide up-to-date scientific information on risk factors for

HIV infection, prevention measures, and program strategies for

prevention of HIV infection.

d. Assist in the design and implementation of program evaluation

activities, including provision of evaluation forms, if appropriate.

e. Assist recipients in collaborating with State and local health

departments, community planning groups, and other federally supported

HIV/AIDS recipients.

f. Facilitate the transfer of successful prevention interventions,

program models, and ``lessons learned'' through convening meetings of

grantees, workshops, conferences, newsletters, use of the internet, and

communications with project officers. Also facilitate exchange of

program information and technical assistance among community

organizations, health departments, and national and regional

organizations.

g. Monitor the recipient's performance of program activities,

protection of client confidentiality, and compliance with other

requirements.

h. Conduct an overall evaluation of this cooperative agreement

program.

E. Application Content

Use the information in the Program Requirements, Other

Requirements, and Application Evaluation Criteria sections to develop

the application content. Your application will be evaluated on the

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

program plan. The narrative should be no more than 33 double-spaced

pages (not including the budget or attachments).

Number each page clearly, and provide a complete Table of Contents

to the application and its appendices. Please begin each separate

section of the application on a new page. The original and each copy of

the application set must be submitted unstapled and unbound. All

material must be typewritten, single spaced, with unreduced 12 point or

10 pitch font on 8\1/2\'' by 11'' paper, with at least 1'' margins,

headings and footers, and printed on one side only. Materials which

should be part of the basic narrative will not be accepted if placed in

the appendices.

In developing the application, you must follow the format and

instructions below:

Format

1. Abstract

[[Page 23079]]

2. Assessment of Need and Justification for Proposed Activities

3. Long-term Goals

4. Organizational History and Capacity

5. Program Plan

6. Program Evaluation Plan

7. Communications and Dissemination Plan

8. Plan for Acquiring Additional Resources

9. Budget and Staffing Breakdown and Justification

10. Training and Technical Assistance Plan

11. Attachments

Instructions

1. Abstract

(Not to exceed 2 pages): Summarize which intervention category of

the five priority HIV prevention interventions--(1) HIV Counseling,

Testing, and Referral Services; (2) Individual Level Interventions; (3)

Group Level Interventions; (4) Community Level Interventions; and (5)

Street and Community Outreach)--you intend to implement and your

proposed intervention activities. Include the following:

a. Brief summary of the need for the proposed activities;

b. Long-term goals;

c. Brief summary of proposed plan of operation, including the

population(s) to be served, activities to be undertaken, and services

to be provided; and

d. Brief summary of plans for evaluating the activities of this

project.

2. Assessment of Need and Justification for Proposed Activities

(Not to exceed 5 pages):

a. Describe the population(s) for which your proposed

intervention(s) will provide services.

b. Describe the impact of the AIDS epidemic on the priority

population and their community and any specific environmental, social,

cultural, or linguistic characteristics of the priority populations

which you have considered and addressed in developing prevention

strategies, such as:

(1) HIV prevalence and incidence (if available), reported AIDS

cases, and the proportion that engages in specific risk behaviors

(sexual behaviors, substance use, etc.) in the target population;

(2) HIV/AIDS-related baseline knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and

behaviors;

(3) Patterns of substance use and rates of STDs and tuberculosis

(TB); and

(4) Other relevant information. (Specify)

c. Identify the need that will be addressed by your proposed

intervention(s), and describe how you assessed the need. Include

epidemiologic and other data that were used to identify the need.

Include a description of existing HIV prevention and risk-reduction

efforts provided by other organizations to address the needs of the

target population(s), and an analysis of the gap between the identified

need and the resources currently available to address the need (i.e.,

How will the proposed intervention(s) address an important unmet HIV

prevention need?).

d. Describe the specific behaviors and practices that the proposed

intervention(s) is designed to promote and prevent (e.g., increases in

correct and consistent condom use, knowledge of serological status, not

sharing needles, and enrollment in drug treatment and other preventive

programs).

e. Describe how your proposed intervention(s) complements the HIV

prevention priority populations and interventions identified in the

applicable State or local comprehensive HIV prevention plan(s). If the

comprehensive HIV prevention plan does not prioritize the needs that

you have identified, justify the need and the priority of your proposed

intervention activities and summarize how the activities address

prevention gaps and complement ongoing prevention efforts. State why

the funds being applied for in this application are necessary to

address the need. A list of the names and telephone numbers of State

health department contacts from whom you may obtain a copy of the

jurisdiction's comprehensive HIV prevention plan is provided with the

application kit;

f. Explain any specific barriers to the implementation of your

proposed intervention(s) and how you will overcome these barriers.

3. Long-Term Goals

(Not to exceed 2 pages): Describe the broad HIV prevention goals

that your proposed intervention(s) aims to achieve by the end of the

project period (four years).

4. Organizational History and Capacity

(Not to exceed 4 pages) Describe the following:

a. Organizational structure, including the role, responsibilities,

and racial/ethnic composition of board of directors; committee

structure of board of directors; organizational management,

administrative and program components; constituent or affiliate

organizations or networks; how the organizational structure will

support the proposed intervention activities; and how the structure

offers the capacity to reach targeted populations. Describe how the

organizational structure includes, or has the ability to obtain

meaningful input and representation from, members of the target

population(s) (for example, men who have sex with men, youth at risk,

women at risk, transgender populations, HIV-positive individuals,

substance abusers).

b. Past and current experience in developing and implementing

effective HIV prevention strategies and activities, and in developing

and implementing interventions similar to the one(s) proposed in this

application.

c. The process in your organization for making major programmatic

decisions.

d. Mechanisms used by your organization to monitor program

implementation and quality assurance.

e. Experience in working or collaborating with governmental and

non-governmental organizations, including State and local health

departments, local and State non-governmental organizations, national

agencies or organizations, community planning groups, and other groups

that provide HIV prevention services.

f. Capacity to provide the proposed interventions in a manner that

is culturally competent and linguistically and developmentally

appropriate, and which responds effectively to the gender,

environmental, and social characteristics of the target populations.

g. For any of the above areas in which you do not have direct

experience or current capacity, describe how you will ensure that your

organization will gain capacity (e.g., through staff development,

collaboration with other organizations, or a contract).

5. Program Plan

(Not to exceed 10 pages): Use this section to describe the specific

characteristics of your proposed intervention(s).

a. Involvement of the target population: Describe how the target

population is, or will be, involved in planning, implementing, and

evaluating activities and services throughout the project period.

b. Intervention Objectives: Develop process objectives that are

specific, measurable, appropriate, realistic, and time-based. Process

objectives focus on the projected amount, frequency, and duration of

the intervention activities and the number and characteristics of the

target population to be served. If applicable, describe how the

objectives are related to the prevention priorities outlined in the

jurisdiction's comprehensive HIV prevention plan. Describe potential

barriers to or facilitators for reaching these objectives.

c. Plan of Operation:

[[Page 23080]]

(1) Describe the specific activities to be conducted or services to

be provided to accomplish the objectives and where these activities or

services will take place. Make certain that your proposal addresses all

required activities. The following four HERR interventions will be

funded: Individual level (including prevention case management (PCM)),

group level, community level interventions, and street and community

outreach. Each recipient must conduct at least one of these

interventions. Applicants should not apply for more interventions than

they can conduct effectively.

(2) Describe your mechanisms for soliciting clients into the

program and obtaining informed consent.

(3) Describe your staffing plan and the responsibilities each staff

position will have in conducting the proposed activities. Describe how

the proposed program will be managed, including the location of the

program within your organization.

(4) Describe the potential for volunteer involvement in your

program. If volunteers will be involved, describe plans to recruit,

train, place, and retain volunteers.

(5) Describe how you will market and promote your program in the

community.

(6) Describe how you will prioritize the program activities to

place emphasis on populations or communities that are at high risk for

HIV infection.

d. Appropriateness of Interventions:

Describe mechanisms that will be used to ensure client

satisfaction. Describe how you will ensure that the proposed

interventions and services are culturally competent; sensitive to

issues of sexual orientation; developmentally, educationally, and

linguistically appropriate; and targeted to the needs of the target

populations.

e. Scientific, Theoretical, Conceptual, or Program Experience

Foundation for Proposed Activities: Provide a detailed description of

the program experience or scientific, theoretical, or conceptual

foundation on which the proposed activities are based and which support

the potential effectiveness of these activities for addressing the

stated needs.

f. Collaborations, Linkages, and Coordination:

(1) Describe any formal collaborations with State or local health

departments, community planning groups, and other appropriate service

groups or organizations that will be used in the development and

implementation of your program. Describe the respective roles and

responsibilities of each collaborating entity in developing and

implementing the program.

(2) Specify any and all organizations and agencies with which you

will establish linkages and coordinate activities, and describe the

activities that will be coordinated with each listed organization.

These may include, as appropriate, the following:

(a) Community groups and organizations, including churches and

religious groups;

(b) HIV/AIDS service organizations;

(c) Ryan White CARE Title I and Title II planning bodies;

(d) Schools, boards of education, and other State or local

education agencies;

(e) State and local substance abuse agencies, community-based and

other drug treatment or detoxification programs;

(f) Federally funded community projects, such as those funded by

the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administrations'

(SAMSHA) Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) and Center for

Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP), the Health and Human Services'

Health Resource Services Administration (HRSA), Office of Minority

Health (OMH), and other Federal entities;

(g) Providers of services to youth in high risk situations (e.g.,

youth in shelters);

(h) State or local departments of mental health;

(i) Juvenile and adult criminal justice, correctional, or parole

systems and programs;

(j) Family planning and women's health agencies; and

(k) STD and TB clinics and programs.

(3) Describe how referrals to other service providers will be

initiated.

(4) Provide a timeline that identifies major implementation steps

and assigns approximate dates for the inception and completion of each.

6. Quality Assurance and Program Evaluation Plan

(Not to exceed 5 pages): The plan should describe when and how

evaluation activities will be implemented. At a minimum, the plan

should outline strategies for implementing process evaluation of

interventions to determine if the process objectives are being

achieved. Indicate which member(s) of the staff will be responsible for

implementing the evaluation plan.

Your process evaluation plan should include the following:

a. A list of resources available to the organization to carry out

process evaluation (e.g., provider staff, health department staff, data

experts to design a system for managing information about proposed

interventions, evaluation consultants, NRMOs, etc).

b. A list of who will be involved in implementing the evaluation

and identify their roles. Describe who will collect, report, enter, and

analyze data.

c. A description of the data that will be collected. To assure

valid data are collected, established instruments should be used when

feasible. Established instruments include those that have been either

science-based or previously administered in effective HIV prevention

interventions. In addition, data sources should be verifiable through

appropriate documentation (such as storing original data for the

duration of the cooperative agreement). Examples of data that could be

collected include:

(1) Detailed information on the specific intervention service(s).

(2) The number of persons who received the service(s) by (a) risk

categories (MSM, IDU, etc.) and (b) demographics, such as age, race and

ethnicity, gender, and if appropriate and available, sexual

orientation.

(3) When and how often the intervention service was provided.

(4) Where the intervention service was provided (e.g., CTRPN site,

STD clinic, street corner, housing project).

(5) Documents referral systems, including the number of persons

referred; how you intend to determine the success of referral systems

(e.g., the number actually receiving services by referral sites); and

how well the system functions in identifying referral services.

(6) Describe client satisfaction with HIV prevention intervention

services.

d. Discuss how data will be collected, managed, and monitored over

time. Address ways to collect, report, enter, and analyze data as well

as how you would use data for program improvement. Describe how often

data will be collected. Discuss how data security will be maintained

and client confidentiality assured.

e. Discuss how you will assess the performance of staff to ensure

that they are providing information and services accurately and

effectively.

Because of the additional cost and need for scientific support

beyond the scope of these cooperative agreements, you may not be able

to conduct outcome evaluations (i.e., long-term effects of the program

in terms of changes in behavior or health status, such as changes in

HIV incidence after the intervention) with funds provided through this

cooperative agreement. CDC will continue to support special projects to

evaluate the behavioral and other outcomes of

[[Page 23081]]

interventions commonly used by CBOs and other organizations, and

disseminate information and lessons learned from this research to CBOs,

health departments, community planning groups, and other organizations

and agencies involved in HIV prevention programs.

7. Communications and Dissemination Plan

(Not to exceed 2 pages): Describe how you will share successful

approaches and ``lessons learned'' with other organizations.

8. Plan for Acquiring Additional Resources

(Not to exceed 1 page): Describe how you will develop and implement

a plan for obtaining additional resources from other (non-CDC) sources

to supplement the program conducted through this cooperative agreement

and to increase the likelihood of its continuation after the end of the

project period.

9. Budget/Staffing Breakdown and Justification

a. Detailed Budget: Provide a detailed, separate budget for each

intervention proposed (i.e., CTR, individual level, group level,

community level, or street and community outreach), with accompanying

justification of all operating expenses that is consistent with the

stated objectives and planned priority activities. CDC may not approve

or fund all proposed activities. Be precise about the program purpose

of each budget item and itemize calculations wherever appropriate.

For contracts, applicants should name the contractor, if known;

describe the services to be performed which justifies the use of a

contractor; provide a breakdown of and justification for the estimated

costs of the contracts; the period of performance; the method of

selection; and method of monitoring the contract.

b. Staffing Plan: Provide a job description for each position

specifying job title; function, general duties, and activities; salary

range or rate of pay; and the level of effort and percentage of time

spent on activities funded through this cooperative agreement. If the

identity of any key personnel who will fill a position is known, her/

his name and resume should be attached. Experience and training related

to the proposed project should be noted. If the identity of staff is

not known, describe your recruitment plan. If volunteers are involved

in the project provide job descriptions.

10. Training and Technical Assistance Plan

(Not to exceed 2 pages): Describe areas in which you anticipate

needing technical assistance in designing, implementing, and evaluating

your program and discuss how you will obtain needed technical

assistance. Also, describe anticipated staff training needs related to

the proposed program and how these needs will be met. Describe your

plan for providing ongoing training to ensure that staff are

knowledgeable about HIV and STD risks and prevention measures. This

information will assist CDC to better address your needs and help you

to identify technical assistance and training providers.

11. Attachments

a. Proof of Eligibility

Each applicant must provide documentation that they comply with all

eligibility requirements specified under the ``Eligible Applicants''

section of this program announcement. Applicants should provide a

separate section within this Attachments section that is entitled Proof

of Eligibility to include the documents listed below. Failure to

provide the required documentation will result in disqualification.

(1) IRS determination letter of your organization's 501(c)(3) tax-

exempt status.

(2) A list of the members of your organization's governing body

along with their positions on the board, their expertise in working

with or providing services to the proposed target population, and their

racial/ethnic backgrounds. (Submission of information regarding the HIV

status or other confidential information regarding the board is

optional, and must not be linked to a specific individual.)

(3) Documentation that your organization is located and provides

services in one of the 20 eligible MSAs or eligible counties or

independent city. This documentation could include letters of support,

news articles, brochures or flyers, annual reports, memoranda of

agreement, or client surveys.

(4) A Table of Organization of existing and proposed staff,

including the board of directors, volunteer staff, and their racial/

ethnic backgrounds.

(5) Documentation that your organization has an established record

of providing services to the target population for at least two years,

and a description of the specific services that have been provided.

(6) Affiliates of national organizations must include with the

application an original, signed letter from the chief executive officer

of the national organization assuring their understanding of the intent

of this program announcement and the responsibilities of recipients.

(7) A separate sheet of paper stating if your organization is

currently funded under CDC Program Announcement 704, Community Based

HIV Prevention Projects.

b. Other Attachments

(1) A list of all collaborating or coordinating entities and

memoranda of understanding or agreement as evidence of these

established or agreed-upon collaborative or coordinating relationships.

Memoranda of agreement should specifically describe the proposed

collaborative activities. Evidence of continuing collaboration must be

submitted each year to ensure that the collaborative relationships are

still in place. Memoranda of agreement from health departments should

include a statement that they have reviewed your application for these

funds.

(2) A list of major community resources and health care providers

to which referrals will be made;

(3) Protocols to guide and document training, activities, services,

and referrals (e.g., applicants seeking funds for Street and Community

Outreach Interventions must provide a description of the policies and

procedures that will be followed to assure the safety of outreach

staff).

(4) Samples of data collection tools that will be used in

performing, monitoring, or evaluating program activities, if available.

(5) A description of funds received from any source to conduct HIV/

AIDS programs and other similar programs targeting the population

proposed in the program plan. This summary must include: (1) The name

of the sponsoring organization/source of income, amount of funding, a

description of how the funds have been used, and the budget period; (2)

a summary of the objectives and activities of the funded program(s);

and (3) an assurance that the funds being requested will not duplicate

or supplant funds received from any other Federal or non-Federal

source. CDC awarded funds can be used to expand or enhance services

supported with other Federal or non-Federal funds. In addition,

identify proposed personnel devoted to this project who are supported

by other funding sources and the activities they are supporting.

[[Page 23082]]

(6) Independent audit statements from a certified public accountant

for the previous 2 years.

(7) A copy of your organization's current negotiated Federal

indirect cost rate agreement, if applicable.

Note: Materials submitted as attachments should be printed on

one side of 8\1/2\ x 11 paper. Please do not attach bound materials

such as booklets or pamphlets. Rather, submit copies of the

materials printed on one side of 8\1/2\ x 11 paper. Bound materials

may not be reviewed.

F. Submission and Deadline

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

0189). Forms are in the application kit. On or before June 28, 1999,

submit the application to: Albertha Carey, Grants Management

Specialist, Grants Management Branch, Procurement and Grants Office,

Program Announcement (99092), Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention, 2920 Brandywine Road, Room 3000, Mailstop E-15, Atlanta,

Georgia 30314-4146.

Applicants should simultaneously submit a copy of the application

to their State HIV/AIDS Directors.

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

orderly processing. (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.

Evaluation Criteria

1. Abstract (not scored)

2. Assessment of Need and Justification for the Proposed Activities (15

points)

a. The extent to which the applicant soundly and convincingly

documents a substantial need for the proposed program and activities;

and the degree to which the proposed activities are consistent with the

Recipient Activities described in the Program Requirements Section. (5

points)

b. The degree to which the applicant describes the specific

behaviors and practices that the interventions are designed to promote

and prevent (i.e., increases in correct and consistent condom use,

knowledge of serological status, not sharing needles, and enrollment in

drug treatment and other preventive programs). (5 points)

c. The quality of the applicant's plan to ensure consistency with

the State and local comprehensive HIV prevention plans and, if

applicable, the adequacy with which the applicant demonstrates the

rational for deviating from the jurisdiction's comprehensive HIV

prevention plan. (5 points)

3. Long-term Goals (5 points) The quality of the applicant's stated

goals and the extent to which they are consistent with the purpose of

this cooperative agreement, as described in this program announcement.

4. Organizational History and Capacity. (15 points) The extent of

the applicant's documented experience, capacity, and ability to address

the identified needs and implement the proposed activities, including:

a. How the applicant's organizational structure and planned

collaborations (including constituent or affiliated organizations or

networks) will support the proposed program activities, and how the

proposed program will have the capacity to reach targeted populations;

(3 points)

b. Applicant's past and current experience in developing and

implementing effective HIV prevention strategies and activities, and in

developing and implementing programs similar to those proposed in this

application; (3 points)

c. Applicant's experience and ability in collaborating with

governmental and non-governmental organizations, including other

national agencies or organizations, State and local health departments,

community planning groups, and State and local non-governmental

organizations that provide HIV prevention services; (3 points)

d. Applicant's capacity to obtain meaningful input and

representation from members of the target population(s) and to provide

culturally competent and appropriate services which respond effectively

to the cultural, gender, environmental, social, and multilingual

character of the target audiences, including documentation of any

history of providing such services; (3 points) and

e. Plans to ensure capacity to implement proposed program where no

direct experience or capacity currently exists within the applicant

organization. (3 points)

5. Program Plan (45 total points)

a. Involvement of the target population (5 points) The degree to

which the applicant describes the involvement of the target population

in planning, implementing, and evaluating activities and services

throughout the project period.

b. Intervention Objectives. (5 points) Degree to which the proposed

process objectives are specific, measurable, appropriate, realistic,

and time-based, related to the proposed activities, and consistent with

the program's long-term goals; and the extent to which the applicant

identifies possible barriers to or facilitators for reaching these

objectives.

c. Plan of Operation (15 points) The quality of the applicant's

plan for conducting program activities, and the potential effectiveness

of the proposed activities in meeting objectives.

d. Appropriateness of Interventions: (5 points) The degree to which

the applicant describes how the proposed priority interventions and

services are culturally competent, sensitive to issues of sexual

orientation, developmentally appropriate, linguistically-specific, and

educationally appropriate.

e. Scientific, Theoretical, Conceptual, or Program Experience

Foundation for Proposed Activities (5 points) The degree to which the

applicant provides a detailed description of the scientific,

theoretical, conceptual, or program experience foundation on which the

proposed activities are based and which support the potential

effectiveness of these activities for addressing the stated need.

f. Collaborations, Linkages, and Coordination (5 points)

Appropriateness of collaboration and coordination with other

organizations serving the same priority population(s). At minimum, the

applicant provides a description of the collaboration or coordination

and a signed memoranda of agreement for each agency with which

collaborative activities are proposed, and other evidence of

collaboration that describe previous, current, as well as future areas

of collaboration.

g. Timeline: (5 points) The extent to which the applicant's

proposed timeline is specific and realistic.

6. Quality Assurance and Program Evaluation Plan (10 points) The

potential of the evaluation plan to describe when and how evaluation

activities will be implemented by the applicant; the extent to which

the evaluation plan is realistic and feasible, taking into account the

applicant's unique needs, resources, capabilities, and priorities; and

the extent to which a plan has been created that will guide

[[Page 23083]]

the collection of data for improving HIV prevention efforts and

informing stakeholders of the progress made in HIV prevention.

7. Communication and Dissemination Plan (5 points) The degree to

which the applicant describes how successful approaches and ``lessons

learned'' will be documented and shared with other organizations.

8. Plan for Acquiring Additional Resources (5 points) The degree to

which the applicant describes plans to develop and implement a plan for

obtaining additional resources from other (non-CDC) sources to

supplement the program conducted through this cooperative agreement and

to increase the likelihood of its continuation after the end of the

project period.

9. Budget and Staffing Breakdown and Justification (not scored)

a. Budget Appropriateness of the budget for the proposed project.

b. Personnel Appropriateness of the staffing pattern for the

proposed project.

10. Training and Technical Assistance Plan (not scored)

The extent to which the applicant describes areas in which

technical assistance is anticipated in designing, implementing, and

evaluating the proposed program and how the applicant will obtain this

technical assistance. The extent to which the applicant describes

anticipated staff training needs related to the proposed program and

how these needs will be met. The extent to which the applicant

describes a plan for providing ongoing training to staff.

Before final award decisions are made, CDC will either make

predecisional site visits to CBOs whose applications are highly ranked

or review the items below with the local or State health department and

applicant's board of directors.

a. The organizational and financial capability of the applicant to

implement the proposed program.

b. The special programmatic conditions and technical assistance

requirements of the applicant.

A business management and fiscal recipient capability assessment

may be required of some applicants prior to the award of funds.

H. Other Requirements

1. Technical Reporting Requirements.

Provide CDC with the original plus two copies of:

a. Progress reports quarterly, no more than 30 days after the end

of each 3 month period;

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

each budget period; and

c. Final financial report and performance report, no more than 90

days after the end of the project period.

2. Send all reports to: Ron Van Duyne, Grants Management Officer,

Grants Management Branch, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for

Disease Control and Prevention 2920 Brandywine Road, Room 3000,

Mailstop E-15, Atlanta, GA 30341-4146.

3. The following additional requirements are applicable to this

program. For a complete description of each, see Attachment 3 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 Healthy People 2000

AR-12 Lobbying Restrictions

AR-14 Accounting System Requirements

I. Authority and Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number

This program is authorized under sections 301(a) and 317 of the

Public Health Service Act, 42 U.S.C. 241(a) and 247b as amended. The

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number is 93.939, HIV Prevention

Activities--Nongovernmental Organization Based.

J. Where To Obtain Additional Information

To receive additional written information and to request an

application and tool kit, call NPIN at 1-800-458-5231 (TTY users: 1-

800-243-7012); visit their web site: www.cdcnpin.org/program; send

requests by fax to 1-888-282-7681 or send requests by e-mail:

[email protected]. This information is also posted on

Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention (DHAP) website at http://www.cdc.gov/

nchstp/hiv__aids/funding/toolkit/.

CDC maintains a Listserv (HIV-PREV) related to this program

announcement. By subscribing to the HIV-PREV Listserv, members can

submit questions and will receive information via e-mail with the

latest news regarding the program announcement. Frequently asked

questions on the Listserv will be posted to the Web site. You can

subscribe to the Listserv on-line or via e-mail by sending a message

to: [email protected] and writing the following in the body of

the message: subscribe hiv-prev first name last name.

If you have questions after reviewing the contents of all the

documents, business management technical assistance may be obtained

from: Albertha Carey, Grants Management Specialist, Grants Management

Branch, Procurement and Grants, Office Program Announcement [99092],

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2920 Brandywine Road,

Room 3000, Atlanta, GA 30341-4146, Telephone (770) 488-2735, E-mail

[email protected].

For program technical assistance, contact: Tomas Rodriguez,

Community Assistance, Planning, and National Partnerships Branch,

National Center for HIV, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease

Control and Prevention (CDC), 1600 Clifton Road, M/S E-58, Atlanta, GA

30333, Telephone number (404) 639-5240, Email address: [email protected]

(``0'' is the number, not the letter ``o'').

See also the CDC home page on the Internet: http://www.cdc.gov.

Dated: April 23, 1999.

John L. Williams,

Director, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control

and Prevention (CDC).

[FR Doc. 99-10700 Filed 4-28-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4163-18-P