Community Coalition Development Projects for African American Communities; Notice of Availability of Funds

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[Program Announcement 99094]

Community Coalition Development Projects for African American

Communities; Notice of Availability of Funds

A. Purpose

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

availability of fiscal year (FY) 1999 funds to support African American

community coalitions to plan and develop linked networks of HIV, STD,

TB, substance abuse and primary care services within their respective

communities. This program addresses the ``Healthy People 2000''

priority area(s) of Educational and Community-Based Programs, HIV

Infection, and Sexually Transmitted Diseases. The purpose of this

program is to improve the health status of African American communities

disproportionately affected by HIV, STDs, TB, and substance abuse.

Specific goals of the program are to increase access to health services

by: (1) Using community coalitions to develop linked networks of HIV,

STD, TB, and substance abuse prevention, treatment, and care services

for African American communities disproportionately affected by HIV/

AIDS for which gaps in services and funding exist; and (2)

strengthening existing linkages among local prevention, treatment, and

care providers to better serve these communities. (Please refer to

Appendix A for background information relevant to this program

announcement. Also, refer to Section J, Where to Obtain Additional

Information, for dates and times of audio-conferences.)

B. Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants (identified here as lead organizations) are

non-profit organizations that develop coalitions to design plans for

building and strengthening linkages among HIV, STD, TB, and substance

abuse prevention, treatment, care services and other health and social

service programs in specifically defined African American communities

at high risk for these conditions. For the purposes of this

announcement, the term ``community'' refers to a specific area within

which the lead organization and its partners will focus their efforts.

This area must be defined as one or more contiguous neighborhoods,

school districts, zip codes, or census tracts.

Lead organizations must meet the following criteria:

1. Must be a local, nonprofit health, social service, or voluntary

organization that has been granted tax-exempt status under section

501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, as evidenced by an Internal

Revenue Service (IRS) determination letter. Examples of these

organizations include, but are not limited to, neighborhood or

community health centers, community-based organizations, reproductive

health centers, and substance abuse treatment programs.

2. Must have or develop a board, governing body, or advisory group

in which greater than 50% of the members are of the African American

population(s) to be served. This body must also include, or demonstrate

ability to obtain input and representation from, community members at

high risk for HIV, STDs, TB, and substance abuse. (Examples of persons

at high risk include, men who have sex with men, youth at risk, women

at risk, transgender populations, injecting and other drug users).

3. Must have greater than 50% of key staff positions, including

management, supervisory, administrative, and service positions, filled

by African Americans.

4. Must have an established record of providing services to African

Americans. An established record is defined as a minimum of three years

serving the target community. Acceptable documentation includes letters

of support, client satisfaction surveys, and memoranda of agreement.

[[Page 28190]]

5. Applications under this announcement will be categorized into

two mutually exclusive groups: (a) Organizations that must be located

and provide services in the following high AIDS prevalence metropolitan

statistical areas (MSAs) \1\ with more than 1000 estimated African

Americans living with AIDS at the end of 1997 \2\ or (b) organizations

that are located or provide services in the following areas, with high

rates of syphilis in 1997.

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

\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/hasrsupp.htm.

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

a. Lead organizations in category (a) must be located and provide

services in one of the following high AIDS prevalence MSAs: 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. (Please

see Appendix B for a complete listing of counties included in each

MSA.)

b. Lead organizations in category (b) must be located or provide

services in the following high syphilis areas: 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.

Only organizations located in the aforementioned list of high HIV

prevalence MSAs or located or providing services in the high syphilis

areas are eligible to apply.

6. 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 five above.

7. Governmental or municipal agencies or their affiliate

organizations (for example, health departments, school boards, public

hospitals) are not eligible for funding as a lead organization.

However, local health departments must be part of the coalition.

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

The program will be conducted in two phases: During Phase 1 (years

1 and 2), approximately 20 lead organizations will be funded to

develop, coordinate, and participate in coalitions to plan and design

linked networks of services in their respective communities. During

Phase 2 (years 3 through 5) three to five of the Phase 1 grantees may

receive continuation awards to fully implement their plans.

1. Phase 1 (Years 1 and 2): Approximately $3.6 million is available

in FY 1999 to fund approximately 20 projects for Phase 1 activities.

Phase 1 awards will be made for a 12-month budget period within a

project period of two years and will begin on or about September 30,

1999.

a. Approximately $2.8 million will be available to fund

approximately 15 projects in the high prevalence MSAs listed above. It

is estimated that the average award will be $186,667, ranging from

$80,000 to $300,000.

b. Approximately $800,000 will be available in FY 1999 to fund

approximately five projects in the high syphilis counties and city

listed above. It is estimated that the average award will be $160,000,

ranging from $50,000 to $200,000.

For Phase 1, applications for more than $400,000 (including

indirect costs) in the high AIDS prevalence MSAs or more than $200,000

(including indirect costs) in the high syphilis areas will be deemed

ineligible and will not be accepted by CDC.

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.

2. Phase 2 (Years 3 through 5): Approximately $3.6 million is

expected to be available to fund three to five of the Phase 1 grantees

for Phase 2. Phase 2 awards will be made for a 12-month budget period

within a project period of up to three years. Selection of Phase 2

grantees will be competitive and based on the extent and quality of

progress in the planning and development phase, including breadth of

inclusion of the target population and the soundness of the plan and

proposed mechanisms for implementation.

Funding estimates may change based on the availability of funds.

Note: Funds to support CBOs to provide HIV prevention services

to African American communities are also available under three other

CDC program announcements: Program Announcement 99091--Community-

Based HIV Prevention Services and Capacity-Building Assistance to

Organizations Serving Gay Men of Color at Risk for HIV Infection,

Program Announcement 99092--Community-Based Human Immunodeficiency

Virus (HIV) Prevention Projects for African Americans, and Program

Announcement 99096--HIV Prevention Projects for African-American

Faith-Based Organizations.

Use of Funds

Funds available under this announcement must support activities

directly related to primary HIV prevention and prevention of other

STDs, TB, and substance abuse. No funds will be provided for direct

patient medical care (including substance abuse treatment, medical

treatment, or medications or research).

These funds may not be used to supplant or duplicate existing

funding. In the absence of an indirect rate agreement, a maximum of 5%

will be awarded for the salary of the Executive Director. If the

organization has an indirect rate that includes the Executive

Director's salary, no additional funds will be provided. Funds will not

be provided for the salary of an Executive Director that is also a

member of the Organization's Board of Directors.

Note: If indirect costs are requested, you must provide a copy

of your organization's current negotiated Federal indirect cost rate

agreement.

Although applicants may contract with other organizations to

conduct activities under these cooperative agreements, applicants must

perform a substantial portion of the activities for which funds are

requested. Applications requesting funds to support only administrative

and managerial functions will not be accepted.

Funding Preferences

In making awards for Phase 1, priority will be given to assuring:

Geographic distribution across the eligible areas, consistent with

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

[[Page 28191]]

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 the Grants

Management Specialist identified in the ``Where to Obtain Additional

Information'' section of this announcement.

D. Program Requirements

In conducting activities to achieve the purpose of this program,

the recipient will be responsible for the activities under 1.

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

listed under 2. (CDC Activities).

1. Recipient Activities:

a. During Phase 1, the recipient (the lead organization) must:

(1) Commit to this project a full-time position with the

responsibility, authority, professional training, and experience needed

to lead and coordinate program activities of the coalition;

(2) Develop a coalition including representatives from local

service providers and affected community members to design and develop

a plan for a linked network of services. The coalition must include at

least four organizations and agencies and must include local health

departments that serve the target community;

(3) Identify key community leaders and opinion leaders and engage

them as part of the coalition process;

(4) Establish and clearly document linkages with local HIV

prevention community planning groups, Ryan White CARE Act planning

councils and the State and local health departments;

(5) Establish linkages with existing local and community-based

organizations that provide services to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS,

STDs, TB, and substance abuse. This must include close linkages with

local health departments. The applicant should also consider including

public hospitals, neighborhood health clinics, mental health clinics,

managed care entities that provide services to Medicaid beneficiaries,

WIC programs, maternal and child health programs, prenatal care

providers, family planning clinics and social service agencies;

(6) Develop a community needs assessment for the target area. This

should include (a) reviewing epidemiological and other data, (b)

reviewing the relevant State and local HIV prevention comprehensive

plans and other relevant planning documents, and (c) conducting an

analysis of community assets and service gaps;

(7) Develop a detailed plan for creating and maintaining a linked

network of services for the targeted community, based on the community

needs assessment. This network should include, but not be limited to,

HIV, STD, TB, and substance abuse prevention, treatment, and care

services; mental health services; primary care services; social

services; and family planning services. The plan must describe in

detail all linkages that will exist within the network. These linkages

should include development of formal memoranda of agreement, referral

tracking mechanisms, and mechanisms to ensure appropriate routine

sharing of data and programmatic information. The mechanisms must

specify the role and resources that each coalition member will bring to

the project, state the terms of the agreement, and state the duration

of the agreement as confirmed by agreements signed by the applicant and

each coalition member. The documents must be signed by individuals with

the authority to represent the organization (for example, president,

chief executive officer, or executive director). The strengthened

linkages should result in increasing and assuring access to and quality

of services for the targeted community; and

(8) Begin to implement the plan for the linked network of services.

b. During Phase 2, the recipient must:

(1) Coordinate and participate in full implementation of the plan;

(2) Serve as liaison among members of the coalition to provide

management oversight, facilitate program implementation and operations,

and maintain effective working relationships; and

(3) Conduct an evaluation of system outcomes using both

quantitative and qualitative data, for example, an assessment of

changes in access to care as a result of the coalition.

c. During both Phase 1 and Phase 2, the recipient must:

(1) Coordinate program activities with relevant national, regional,

State, and local HIV prevention programs in the target community to

prevent duplication of efforts;

(2) 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 the comprehensive

HIV prevention plan;

(3) Participate with CDC in monitoring and evaluating all

activities supported with CDC HIV prevention funds under this

cooperative agreement;

(4) Compile and facilitate the dissemination of lessons learned

from the project to share with other organizations, communities, and

CDC;

(5) Develop a plan for obtaining additional resources from non-

Federal sources to supplement the project conducted through this

cooperative agreement and to enhance the likelihood of its continuation

after the end of the project period;

(6) Participate in at least one CDC sponsored meeting of funded

agencies;

(7) Adhere to CDC policies for securing approval for CDC

sponsorship of conferences; and

(8) 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.

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:

CDC will conduct the following activities:

(1) Coordinate a national capacity building and technology transfer

network;

(2) Provide the recipients with consultation and technical

assistance in planning, developing, operating and evaluating activities

required by community coalitions to develop linked networks of

services. CDC may provide consultation and technical assistance both

directly from CDC and indirectly through prevention partners, such as

health departments, national and regional minority partners (NRMOs),

contractors, and other national or international organizations;

(3) Provide up-to-date scientific information on the risk factors

for HIV infection, prevention measures, and

[[Page 28192]]

program strategies for prevention of HIV infection;

(4) Assist recipients in collaborating with State and local health

departments, HIV prevention community planning groups, community based

organizations (CBOs) that receive direct funding from CDC, and other

federally-supported HIV/AIDS, STD, TB, and substance abuse prevention,

treatment and care recipients;

(5) Assist recipients in design and implementation of program

activities, including provision of evaluation forms, if appropriate;

(6) Monitor recipient performance of program activities, protection

of client confidentiality, and compliance with other requirements;

(7) 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; and

(8) Conduct an overall evaluation of the program to determine the

effectiveness of the collaborations in developing linked service

networks.

E. Application Content

Use the information in the Program Requirements, Other

Requirements, and Evaluation criteria sections to develop the

application content. Your application will be evaluated on the criteria

listed in Section G, ``Application Evaluation Criteria,'' so it is

important to follow the format provided below in laying out your

program proposal. The narrative should be no more than 40 pages single-

spaced pages (excluding budget and attachments), printed on one side

and no less than 12 point font. Applications that fail to completely

address Abstract requirements 1 a-c as listed in the instructions below

or applications exceeding 40 pages will not be reviewed.

Number each page clearly, and provide a complete index 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 type 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

application format will not be accepted if placed in the appendices.

In developing the application, follow the format and instructions

below.

Format

1. Abstract.

2. Assessment of Need and Justification for Proposed Activities.

3. Long-term Goals.

4. Existing Collaboration Activities of the Organization.

5. Organizational History and Capacity.

6. Program Proposal.

a. Objectives.

b. Plan of Operation.

c. Timeline.

d. Evaluation Plan.

7. Program Management and Staffing Plan.

8. Communications/Dissemination Plan.

9. Evidence of Support from the Target Community.

10. Plan for Acquiring Additional Resources.

11. Budget Breakdown and Justification.

12. Training and Technical Assistance Plan.

13. Attachments.

Instructions

1. Abstract (not to exceed 3 pages).

Summarize your proposed program activities. Each item must be

included as follows:

a. Brief, clear, concise summary that establishes the eligibility

of your organization as the ``lead'' organization by responding to each

criterion in the Eligible Applicant section;

b. A summary of the following:

(1) The proposed composition of the coalition;

(2) The applicant's capabilities;

(3) Characteristics of the target community and why the community

was selected;

(4) The HIV, STD, TB and substance abuse problems and gaps in

existing services;

(5) The preliminary goals and objectives of your project;

(6) Proposed roles and responsibilities of partner organizations;

and

(7) Proposed total cost of the program during the first year.

Include any other funding sources which will support this project.

c. Estimate the amount of time needed for the planning and

designing phase and include a brief summary of proposed future years.

2. Assessment of Need and Justification for Proposed Activities

(not to exceed 3 pages).

Describe the following:

a. The target community to be served including geographic

boundaries (for example, contiguous neighborhoods, zip codes, school

districts, census tracts, etc.) and the criteria and approach used in

identifying geographic boundaries. The description should also include

the social, economic, and demographic characteristics of the target

community;

b. Describe environmental, social, cultural, or linguistic

characteristics of the community that you have targeted;

c. Describe the impact of HIV, STD, TB and substance abuse in the

community;

d. Describe the HIV, STD, TB and substance abuse prevention,

treatment, and care services currently available in your community; and

e. Clearly identify how community members are being

disproportionately affected, the gap between the identified needs and

the resources available, and how needs will be addressed by your

proposed program.

3. Long-term Goals (not to exceed 1 page). Describe the goals your

proposed program plans to achieve over the 5-year project period.

4. Existing Collaboration Activities of the Organization (not to

exceed 3 pages).

a. Describe at least one existing coalition or collaborative

activity, not limited to HIV, in which your agency has led or

participated. Include a summary of the collaboration, its purpose,

activities and accomplishments. Attach memoranda of agreement from

current coalition members and/or collaborators that describe existing

relationships and specifies the length of their involvement and

contributions.

If there are no memoranda of agreement, list and describe the

organizations and entities that have participated in the coalition and/

or collaborative activities. Include a description of existing

relationships, length of involvement and contributions.

b. Describe your experience in collaborating with governmental and

non-governmental organizations, including national agencies or

organizations, State and local health departments, community planning

groups, and State and local non-governmental organizations that provide

HIV, TB, STD or substance abuse prevention, treatment and care

services.

5. Organizational History and Capacity (not to exceed 3 pages).

a. Organizational Structure: Describe your existing organizational

structure, including constituent or affiliate organizations or

networks, how the organizational structure will support the proposed

program activities, and your ability to provide services for the

targeted community.

[[Page 28193]]

b. Cultural Competence: Describe your capacity to provide

culturally competent and appropriate services that respond effectively

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

character of the target populations, including any history of providing

such services.

6. Program Proposal (not to exceed 15 pages). Based on the

``Recipient Activities'' listed in Section D, ``Program Requirements,''

describe the following:

a. Objectives: Describe Phase 1 objectives that are specific,

measurable, time phased, realistic, and related to the proposed goals.

The objectives should cover the length of time necessary to plan and

design a linked network of services ( up to 2 years). Describe how

these objectives relate to the program's goals. Describe possible

barriers to or facilitators for reaching these objectives. The

Recipient Activities should be the basis for the objectives;

b. Plan of Operation: Describe in detail the methods (that is,

strategies and activities) you will use to achieve the proposed goals

and objectives and to meet the required recipient activities. Make

certain that your proposal addresses all required recipient activities.

If some activities will be done by subcontractors or collaborating

institutions or organizations (governmental or non-governmental),

describe the respective roles and responsibilities of your organization

and those of each collaborating entity in performing the proposed

activities. Describe how you will market and promote your program in

the community. Include, as attachments, memoranda of understanding or

agreement as evidence of these established or agreed-upon collaborative

relationships. Describe the respective roles and responsibilities of

each collaborating entity in developing and implementing the program.

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:

(1) Community groups and organizations, including churches and

religious groups;

(2) HIV/AIDS service organizations;

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

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

education agencies;

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

other drug treatment or detoxification programs;

(6) 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;

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

youth in shelters);

(8) State or local departments of mental health;

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

systems and programs;

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

(11) STD and TB clinics and programs; and

(12) Medicaid managed care providers.

c. Timeline: Provide a time line that indicates the approximate

dates by which activities will be accomplished.

d. Evaluation Plan: Provide an evaluation plan which describes how

progress in meeting objectives will be monitored.

7. Program Management and Staffing Plan (not to exceed 5 pages).

a. Describe how the proposed program will be managed and staffed,

including the location of the program within your organization.

Describe in detail each existing or proposed position by job title,

function, general duties, and activities. Include the level of effort

and allocation of time for each project activity by staff position, job

title, function, general duties and activities, and annual salary/rate

of pay.

b. If the identity of any key personnel who will fill a position is

known, provide their curriculum vitae (not to exceed two pages per

person) as an attachment. Note experience and training related to the

proposed project.

c. Provide an organizational chart that identifies lines of

communication, accountability, reporting, and authority.

8. Communication and Dissemination Plan: (not to exceed 1 page).

Describe how you will share successful approaches and ``lessons

learned'' with other organizations.

9. Evidence of Support from the Target Community (not to exceed 2

pages).

List and describe the organizations with which you propose to

collaborate and provide any other evidence of support for the proposed

coalition. Include as attachments, letters of support from community

members and agencies, including the county, city, and State health

departments that serve the targeted community. Form letters will not be

accepted as evidence of support.

10. Plan for Acquiring Additional Resources: (not to exceed 1

page). Describe your plan for obtaining additional resources from other

(non-Federal) 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.

11. Budget Breakdown and Justification: Provide a detailed budget

with accompanying justification of all operating expenses that is

consistent with the stated objectives and activities. Be precise about

the program purpose of each budget item and itemize calculations where

possible.

In the personnel section, specify the job title, annual salary/rate

of pay, and percentage of time spent on this program.

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 contract; the period of performance; the method of

selection; and method of monitoring the contract.

12. 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

how you will obtain this technical assistance. Describe anticipated

staff training needs related to the proposed program and how these

needs will be met. Describe areas in which you anticipate needing CDC's

technical assistance in your program.

13. 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) A reference to your organization's listing in the Internal

Revenue Service's (IRS) most recent list of tax-exempt organizations

described in section 501 (c) (3) of the IRS Code, i.e., IRS

determination letter.

(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

[[Page 28194]]

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 is located or provides

services in one of the 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, governing or advisory groups,

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 three

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.

b. Other Attachments.

(1) Description of collaborating organizations or institutions and

original, signed letters from the chief executive officers of each such

organization or institution assuring their understanding of the intent

of this program announcement, the proposed program, their role in the

proposed program, and the responsibilities of recipients.

(2) 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: (a) 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; (b)

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

and (c) 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.

(3) Independent audit statements from a certified public accountant

for the previous 2 years.

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

indirect cost rate agreement, if applicable.

(5) Evidence of collaboration, or intent to collaborate, with State

and local chapters, affiliates, organizations, or venues.

F. Submission and Deadline

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

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

www.cdc.gov/. . . Forms, or in the application kit. On or before July

26, 1999, submit the application to the Grants Management Specialist

identified in the ``Where to Obtain Additional Information'' section of

this announcement.

Deadline: Applications shall be considered as meeting the deadline

if they are either:

a. Received on or before the deadline date; or

b. Sent on or before the deadline date and received in time for

submission to the independent review group. (Applicants must request a

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

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

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

Late Applications: Applications which do not meet the criteria in

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

considered, and will be returned to the applicant.

G. Application Evaluation Criteria

Each application will be evaluated individually against the

following criteria by an independent review group appointed by CDC.

Each organization may submit no more than one proposal under this

announcement. If an organization submits more than one proposal, all

proposals will be deemed ineligible and returned without comment.

Evaluation Criteria

1. Abstract not scored. If abstract is missing, the application

will be deemed ineligible and returned without comment.

2. Assessment of Need and Justification for Proposed Activities

(Total: 20 Points). The extent to which the applicant soundly and

convincingly documents the needs of the target community including the

rationale for the criteria and approach used for identifying the target

community.

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

stated long-term goals and the extent to which the goals are consistent

with the purpose of the cooperative agreement, as described in this

program announcement.

4. Existing Collaborative Activities of the Organization (Total 15

points).

a. Applicant's leadership capability as evidenced by history of

building and participating in coalitions or collaborations.

b. The extent that the agency has experience in collaborating with

governmental and non-governmental organizations, such as State and

local health departments, community planning groups, and State and

local non-governmental organizations that provide HIV, TB, STD or

substance abuse prevention, treatment and care services.

5. Organizational History and Capacity (Total 10 points).

a. Applicant's capacity to conduct the proposed activities based on

organizational structure and support and ability to provide services to

the targeted community.

b. Applicant's capacity to provide services that are culturally

competent and that respond effectively to the cultural, gender,

environmental, social and multilingual character of the target

audiences, including documentation of any history of providing such

services.

6. Program Proposal (Total 25 points).

a. Objectives. The extent to which the proposed objectives are

specific, realistic, time-phased, measurable, and consistent with the

program's long-term goals and proposed activities.

b. Plan of operation.

(1) Overall quality of the applicant's plan for conducting program

activities and the likelihood that the proposed methods will be

successful in achieving proposed goals and objectives;

(2) The extent to which the applicant's plans address all the

activities listed under Required Recipient Activities.

c. Timeline. The extent to which the applicant's proposed timeline

is specific and realistic.

d. Plan of evaluation. The quality of the applicant's evaluation

plan for monitoring the implementation of the proposed activities and

measuring the achievement of program goals and objectives.

7. Program Management and Staffing Plan (Total 10 points). The

extent to which the program management and staffing plan is appropriate

and will be able to support the proposed program activities.

[[Page 28195]]

8. Communication and Dissemination Plan (Total 5 points). The

quality of the applicant's plan for sharing lessons learned with other

organizations

9. Evidence of Support from the Target Community (Total 10 points).

The extent and appropriateness of the community, agencies and

organizations providing evidence of their support for the project.

10. Plan for Acquiring Additional Resources (Not Scored). The

quality of the applicant plan for obtaining additional resources from

other (non-Federal) sources to supplement the proposed program.

11. Budget Breakdown and Justification (Not Scored). The extent to

which the budget is reasonable, itemized, clearly justified, and

consistent with the intended use of funds.

12. Training and Technical Assistance Plan (Not Scored). The

quality of the applicant's plan for obtaining needed technical

assistance and staff training to support the proposed project.

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

Technical Reporting Requirements

Provide CDC with original plus two copies of

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

of each quarter;

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

the budget period; and

3. Final financial and performance reports, no more than 90 days

after the end of the project period.

Send all reports to the Grants Management Specialist identified in

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

announcement.

The following additional requirements are applicable to this

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

application kit.

AR-4 HIV/AIDS Confidentiality Provisions

AR-5 HIV Program Review Panel Requirements

AR-7 Executive Order 12372 Review

AR-8 Public Health System Reporting Requirements

AR-9 Paperwork Reduction Act Requirements

AR-10 Smoke-Free Workplace Requirements

AR-11 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 section 317 (k)(2) of the Public

Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247b(k)(2)), 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 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: You will be asked to

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

Announcement number of interest (99094).

Pre-application Audio-conference Information.

May 27 (1:00--2:30 p.m. EDT)

June 1 (1:00--2:30 p.m. EDT)

The telephone number for all calls is: 800-713-1971 and the pass

code (when asked by the automated voice) is 407763 and the name of the

audio-conference (Coalition Development).

Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to participate in

one of the scheduled audio-conferences. These audio conferences will

include information on the application and business management

requirements, and how to access additional pre-application resources

relevant to application development. Prospective applicants are

strongly encouraged to read and become familiar with this program

announcement before participating in the audio-conferences.

If you have questions after reviewing the contents of all the

documents, business management technical assistance may be obtained

from: Kevin Moore or Sheri Disler, Grants Management Specialist, Grants

Management Branch, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease

Control and Prevention (CDC), 2920 Brandywine Road, Room 3000, Atlanta,

GA 30341-4146, Telephone (770) 488-2720;

E-mail [email protected]

E-Mail [email protected]

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

For program technical assistance, contact: Jessica Gardom, Dorothy

Gunter, or Craig Studer, 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) 639-5230.

Dated: May 19, 1999.

John L. Williams,

Director, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control

and Prevention (CDC).

Appendix A--Background

The HIV/AIDS epidemic constitutes a significant threat to the

public health of the United States. Through June 1998, 665,357 cases

of AIDS have been reported to CDC. The most recent estimate of HIV

prevalence indicates that between 650,000 and 900,000 Americans are

living with HIV. African Americans accounted for 47% of persons

diagnosed with AIDS in 1997, the highest proportion thus far in the

epidemic. They also accounted for a large proportion of HIV

infection cases. Through June 1998, African Americans accounted for

52% of the total number of HIV infection cases reported from 31

states with confidential HIV infection reporting. While there has

been a decline in incidence of AIDS as well as AIDS deaths in

general, HIV prevalence among racial and ethnic minorities has

remained at a high level.

Data suggest that other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs),

tuberculosis, and substance use are also disproportionately

impacting minority populations. The interconnectedness of these

epidemics with HIV is illustrated by the following:

1. In 1997, of the total 19,851 tuberculosis cases, 6,610 were

reported among African Americans. It is estimated that 10 to 15

percent of all TB cases and nearly 30 percent of cases among people

ages 25-44 are occurring in HIV-infected individuals.

2. Even though there has been a decline in gonorrhea across all

racial/ethnic groups, reported rates among African Americans remain

more than 30 times higher than rates among whites. The gonorrhea

rate among African Americans is 807.9 per 100,000, and among

Hispanics it is 69.4 per 100,000. The rate for whites is 26 per

100,000.

3. Primary and secondary syphilis rates are 44 times higher

among African Americans than among whites.

4. While there has been an increase in herpes infection among

all racial/ethnic groups, herpes disproportionately affects African

Americans (more than 45% of cases).

[[Page 28196]]

5. Biological and epidemiological evidence suggests that persons

with STDs are more likely to acquire HIV; additionally, if a person

is HIV infected and has an STD, the likelihood of transmission of

HIV increases.

6. Racial and ethnic minority populations in the United States

bear the heaviest burden of HIV disease related to drug injection.

In 1997, IDU-associated AIDS cases made up 38% of all cases among

African Americans, compared with 22% of all cases among whites.

Several factors may be influencing the disproportionate

morbidity among minority populations, including: (1) Insufficient

access to services by the population at risk; (2) a lack of

culturally appropriate prevention services; (3) a lack of access

among providers to the population at risk; (4) inadequate linkages

among the services; and (5) insufficient follow-up of referral

services provided by various agencies. The community coalition

approach to health promotion and risk reduction, with its increased

awareness and access to acceptable health care, can be effective in

empowering grassroots leadership and organizations to decrease or

eliminate many health disparities within the target population.

CDC, through this announcement, is seeking to promote the

utilization of community coalitions to foster strong linkages

between HIV, STD, TB, and substance abuse prevention, treatment and

care and other health and social services in minority communities.

It is hypothesized that the linkages fostered by these coalitions

will also empower the community to address health problems in the

context of related socio-economic issues.

Appendix B--Listing of Counties in each Eligible MSA--DEPARTMENT OF

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Program Announcement No.

99094

Community Coalition Development Projects for African American

Communities

Atlanta, GA

Counties--Barrow, Bartow, Carroll, Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb,

Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry,

Newton, Paulding, Pickens, Rockdale, Spalding, Walton.

Baltimore, MD

Counties and city--Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford,

Howard, Queen Anne's, Baltimore City.

Boston-Worcester-Lawrence-Lowell-Brockton, MA-NH

Massachusetts counties--Bristol, Essex, Middlesex, Norfolk,

Plymouth, Suffolk, Worcester.

New Hampshire counties--Rockingham, Hillsborough, Strafford.

Chicago, IL

Counties--Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kendall, Lake,

McHenry, Will.

Dallas, TX

Counties--Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Henderson, Hunt,

Kaufman, Rockwall.

Detroit, MI

Counties--Lapeer, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, St. Clair, Wayne.

Fort Lauderdale, FL

County--Broward.

Houston, TX

Counties--Chambers, Fort Bend, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery,

Waller.

Jacksonville, FL

Counties--Clay, Duval, Nassau, St. John's.

Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA

Counties--Los Angeles.

Miami, FL

County--Dade.

Newark, NJ

Counties--Essex, Morris, Sussex, Union, Warren.

New Haven-Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury-Waterbury, CT

Counties--Fairfield, New Haven.

New Orleans, LA

Parishes--Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St.

Charles, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Tammany.

New York City, NY

Counties--Bronx, Kings, New York, Putnam, Queens, Richmond,

Rockland, Westchester.

Oakland, CA

Counties--Alemeda, Contra Costa.

Philadelphia, PA-NJ

New Jersey counties--Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, Salem.

Pennsylvania counties--Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery,

Philadelphia.

San Francisco, CA

Counties--Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo.

Washington, DC-MD-VA-WV

District of Columbia.

Maryland counties and cities--Calvert, Charles, Frederick,

Montgomery, Prince George's.

Virginia counties and cities--Arlington, Clarke, Culpeper,

Fairfax, Fauquier, King George, Loudoun, Prince William,

Spotsylvania, Stafford, Warren, Alexandria city, Fairfax city, Falls

Church city, Fredericksburg city, Manassas city, Manassas Park city.

West Virginia counties--Berkeley, Jefferson.

West Palm Beach-Boca Raton, FL

County--Palm Beach.

[FR Doc. 99-13139 Filed 5-24-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4163-18-P