[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 63 (Friday, April 1, 1994)] [Unknown Section] [Page 0] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 94-7800] [[Page Unknown]] [Federal Register: April 1, 1994] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration RIN 0905-ZA32 Community Support Program: Mental Health Systems Improvement Demonstration Grants for Consumer and Family Networks AGENCY: Center for Mental Health Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), HHS. ACTION: Notice of availability of funds and request for applications. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) announces the availability of demonstration grants to State mental health authorities to foster the development of consumer and family networks. The purpose is to enhance the involvement of consumers and family members in the policies, programs, and quality assurance activities related to State mental health plans and the mental health components of health care reform. These grants are offered through the Community Support Program (CSP) Section, Adult Serious Mental Illness Branch, Division of Demonstration Programs, CMHS. This notice consists of three parts: Part I covers information on the legislative authority and the applicable regulations and policies related to the Community Support Program: Mental Health Systems Improvement Demonstration Grants for Consumer and Family Networks. Part II describes the programmatic goals and project requirements and activities and discusses eligibility, availability of funds, period of support and the receipt date for applications. Part III describes special requirements of the program, the application process, the review and award criteria and lists contacts for additional information. Part I--Legislative Authority and Other Applicable Regulations and Policies --Grants awarded under this RFA are authorized under section 520A of the Public Health Service Act [42 U.S.C. 290bb-32]. --Federal regulations at Title 45 CFR parts 74 and 92, generic requirements concerning the administration of grants, are applicable to these awards. --Grants must be administered in accordance with the PHS Grants Policy Statement (Rev. April 1, 1994). --The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number for this program is 93.125. --Interim and final progress reports and financial status reports will be required and specified to awardees in accordance with PHS Grants Policy requirements. --The Public Health Service (PHS) is committed to achieving the health promotion and disease prevention objectives of Healthy People 2000,1 a PHS-led national activity for setting priority areas. This RFA, Mental Health Systems Improvement Demonstration Grants for Consumer and Family Networks, is related to priority 6, Mental Health Disorders. Specific subsections include: 6.4, ``to reduce the prevalence of mental disorders among adults living in the community to less than 10.7 percent;'' 6.6, ``to increase to at least 30 percent the proportion of people aged 18 and older with severe, persistent mental disorders who use community support programs;'' and 6.7, ``to increase to at least 45 percent the proportion of people with major depressive disorders who obtain treatment.'' --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\Potential applicants may obtain a copy of Healthy People 2000 (Full Report: Stock No. 017-001-00474-0; or Summary Report: Stock No. 017-001-00473-1) through the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402-9325 (Telephone: 202-783-3238). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Part II--Programmatic Goals and Project Requirements and Activities, Eligibility and Application Receipt Date Program Goals: The goals for this round of CSP demonstration grants are to implement and evaluate strategies to: --Empower consumer and family networks and strengthen their ability to participate in State and local mental health service planning and health care reform policy activities related to improving community- based services for the target population; and --Foster the financial self-sufficiency of consumer and family organizations (transition from Federal CSP grant funding to other public and private resources) over the term of the Federal grant. The goals of this program address the HHS Secretary's themes of: fostering independence through empowering of the people served; preventing future problems; and improving services to customers through modern management approaches. Target Population: The target population for CSP grants includes individuals 18 years and older with severe mental illnesses (including, but not limited to, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorders, mood disorders, and severe personality disorders) that substantially interfere with their ability to carry out such primary aspects of daily living as self-care, household management, interpersonal relationships, and work or school. Project Requirements --States applying must actively involve representatives from the major State consumer and family organizations concerned with system reform in conceptualizing the approach, developing the application, and implementing the project. --The project must specify project goals and clear, measurable objectives that relate to the two program goals of this RFA. --It is expected that States will propose activities to support both consumer and family networking efforts. A State proposing to use grant funds to support activities for only families or only consumers must submit adequate justification for the proposal. --States applying must include an evaluation plan for monitoring project progress, refining strategies, and measuring attainment of project objectives. Project Activities: Proposed project activities to be implemented and evaluated must relate directly to the goals of this RFA. Suggested activities include, but are not limited to: (1) Supporting consumer and family networks; (2) providing training and educational opportunities for consumers and family members; (3) reaching out to members of racial/ethnic minority population groups to increase their participation; (4) using computer technology to build networks and link consumer and family member participants; (5) arranging for needed supports such as travel to key meetings; and (6) implementing procedures and policies to assure input from consumers and families into planning activities. Eligibility Requirements: CMHS is limiting potential applicants for projects under this announcement to State mental health authorities. Multiple organizations are generally involved in implementing these initiatives; thus, centralized State assistance is needed to assure appropriate staff and organizations will be involved and that sufficient resources will be allocated to the project. The State mental health authorities are uniquely qualified to undertake this coordination function, since they work directly with the major consumer and family groups and oversee a wide range of mental health service providers. Because it is anticipated that the activities supported through these grants will continue beyond the life of the Federal grant support, it is probable that the main source of continuation funding will come from State mental health authorities. Previous program experience has shown that when States are involved in implementing and monitoring the projects, they are more likely to provide continuation funding when the Federal funding period ends. Because of funding limitations, it has been the policy of CSP to support only one CSP State Mental Health Systems Improvement Demonstration Grant in each State or territory for each round of multi- year grants. Therefore, only States and territories that do not have a current, active CSP Mental Health Systems Improvement grant, or those that have an active CSP grant with a project period that ends on or before August 31, 1994, excluding no-cost extensions, are eligible to apply for these grants. Each State and territory may submit only one application. Availability of Funds: An amount of $3 million will be available for approximately 20 awards under this RFA in FY 1994. Actual funding levels will depend upon appropriated funds. Pending availability of funds and program priorities, CMHS anticipates providing States with CSP Mental Health Systems Improvement Demonstration Grants ending in 1995 the opportunity to apply for grants for consumer and family networks in 1995 under a similar RFA. Because it is expected that projects will work towards attaining self-sufficiency during the term of the project, this program will offer declining support. Applicants may request budgets of approximately $150,000 for the first year of the project. Federal support for the projects will decrease over the remaining project period as follows: the budget request for the second year should be no more than 75 percent of the first year's budget; the budget request for the third year of the project should be no more than 50 percent of the first year's budget; the budget request for the fourth and final year of the project should be no more than 25 percent of the first's year's budget. Period of Support: Support may be requested for a period of up to four (4) years. Annual awards will be made subject to continued availability of funds and evidence of progress achieved. Application Receipt and Review Schedule: The schedule for receipt and review of applications under this announcement is: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Receipt date IRG review Council review Start date ------------------------------------------------------------------------ June 10, 1994.... July 1994........ September 1994.. September 1994. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Consequences of Late Submission: Applications received after the above receipt date will not be accepted and will be returned to the applicant without review. The DRG system requires that applications must be received by the published application receipt date. However, an application received after the deadline may be acceptable if it carries a legible proof-of-mailing date assigned by the carrier and the proof- of-mailing date is not later than one week prior to the deadline date. Private metered postmarks are not acceptable as proof of timely mailing. If the receipt date falls on a weekend, it will be extended to the following Monday; if the date falls on a national holiday, it will be extended to the following work day. Part III--Special Requirements, Review/Award Criteria and Contacts for Additional Information Coordination with Other Federal/Non-Federal Programs: Applicants seeking support under this announcement are encouraged to coordinate with other programs. Program coordination and integration help to better serve the multiple needs of the client population, to maximize the impact of available resources, and to eliminate duplication of services. Applicants should identify the coordinating organizations by name and address and describe the process to be used for coordinating efforts. Letters of commitment specifying the kind and level of support from organizations (both Federal and non-Federal) which have agreed to work with the applicant should be appended to an application. A listing of Federal programs with which applicants may find coordination productive is included in the application kit. Intergovernmental Review (E.O. 12372): Applications submitted in response to this announcement are subject to the intergovernmental review requirements of Executive Order 12372, as implemented through HHS regulations at 45 CFR part 100. Executive Order 12372 sets up a system for State and local government review of and comment on applications for Federal financial assistance. Applicants (other than federally recognized Indian tribal governments) should contact the State's Single Point of Contact (SPOC) as early as possible to alert them to the prospective application(s) and to receive any necessary instruction on the State applicable procedures. A current SPOC listing is included in the application kit. The SPOC should send any State process recommendations to the following address: Barbara J. Silver, Ph.D., Acting Director, Office of Evaluation, Extramural Policy & Review, Center for Mental Health Services, 5600 Fishers Lane, room 18C- 07, Rockville, Maryland 20857, ATTN: SPOC. The due date for State process recommendations is no later than 60 days after the deadline date for the receipt of applications. The CMHS does not guarantee to accommodate or explain SPOC comments that are received after the 60-day cut-off. Public Health System Reporting Requirements: This program is not subject to the Public Health System Reporting Requirements. Evaluation: The applicant must include in the application an evaluation design to document the results of the project in terms of achievement of the stated program goals (empowering and strengthening consumer and family networks and fostering their financial self- sufficiency) and specific objectives of the project. The evaluation will be used for monitoring progress, refining strategies, and measuring success. The evaluation will also be used to document the experience of the project such that it will add to the understanding of how to develop and expand consumer and family networks and involve them in State and local mental health service planning and health care reform activities. Promoting Non-use of Tobacco: Studies have clearly established that the use of tobacco products increases mortality and morbidity, not only for the primary users of these products but for those in close proximity to the user. Statistics published by the National Cancer Institute indicate that cigarette smoking and chewing of tobacco are responsible for as many as 1,500 deaths per day in the United States. Recent studies conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency indicate that prolonged exposure to second-hand smoke significantly increases the probability of developing heart and lung disease. Therefore, the Public Health Service (PHS) strongly encourages all grant recipients to provide a smoke-free workplace and promote the non- use of all tobacco products. This is consistent with the PHS mission to protect and advance the physical and mental health of the American people. Application Procedures: All applicants must use application form PHS 5161-1 (Rev. 7/92), which contains Standard Form 424 (face page). The following information should be typed in Item 10 on the face page of the application form: Consumer and Family Networks; No. SM 94-03. Grant application kits (including form PHS 5161-1 with Standard Form 424, complete application procedures, and accompanying guidance materials for the narrative approved under OMB No. 0937-0189) may be obtained from: Ms. Carole Edison, Grants Management Officer, Center for Mental Health Services, 5600 Fishers Lane, room 15-81, Rockville, Maryland 20857, (301) 443-4456. Applicants must submit: (1) An original copy signed by the authorized official of the applicant organization, with the appropriate appendices; and (2) two additional, legible copies of the application and all appendices to the following address: Center for Mental Health Services Programs, Division of Research Grants, NIH, Westwood Building, room 240, 5333 Westbard Avenue, Bethesda, Maryland 20892*. *If an overnight carrier or express mail is used, the Zip Code is 20816. Review Process: Applications submitted in response to this RFA will be reviewed for technical merit in accordance with established PHS/ SAMHSA peer review procedures for grants. Review Criteria: The points noted in the parentheses for each criterion indicate the maximum number of points the reviewers may assign to that criterion. These points will be used to calculate a raw score for each application. The raw score will be converted to the official priority score. Technical Merit 1. Significance of the Project (30 points)Potential significance of the proposed project. Appropriateness of the proposed project to the goals of the announcement. Degree of consumer and family participation in project development and proposed implementation. 2. Adequacy and Appropriateness of Project Plans (30 points) Rationale provided to show that the proposed approach is likely to work. Adequacy and feasibility of the overall plan of action for the entire project. Comprehensiveness and feasibility of the first year detailed project implementation plan. Adequacy and appropriateness in terms of the proposed staffing and resources. Evidence of commitment of the State to provide ongoing financial support for the project. 3. Adequacy and Appropriateness of Evaluation Plans (20 points) Appropriateness of the proposed evaluation design, including specification of goals and measurable objectives. Adequacy of the proposed plan to implement the evaluation. Degree of commitment of the State to assuring a quality evaluation of the proposed project. 4. Appropriateness of Staffing, Project Organization, and Resources (20 points) Qualifications and experience of the project director and other key personnel. Adequacy of available resources (e.g., facilities, equipment). Capability and experience of the applicant organization with similar projects. Adequacy of support for the project from other relevant organizations. Appropriateness of proposed budget for each of the requested years. (The committee may recommend either increases or decreases in the budget based on their review of the application or on the adequacy of the budget justification.) Award Decision Criteria: Applications recommended for approval by the IRG and the appropriate advisory council will be considered for funding on the basis of overall technical merit as determined through the review process. Other award criteria will include: --Availability of funds. --Need for support. --Rural distribution (15 percent of appropriated funds will be made available to projects in rural areas). --Geographical distribution throughout the United States. Administrative Costs: Section 520A(d) of the Public Health Service Act specifies that a grant may not be made unless the applicant agrees that not more than 10 percent of the grant will be expended for administrative expenses. This is separate from indirect costs and generally includes expenses such as accounting and other grant administration costs. Contacts for Additional Information Questions concerning program issues may be directed to: Ms. Peggy Clark, Ms. Risa Fox, or Mr. Buddy Ruiz, Project Officers, or Ms. Jacqueline Parrish, Acting CSP Section Chief: Community Support Program Section, Division of Demonstration Programs, Center for Mental Health Services, 5600 Fishers Lane, room 11C-22, Rockville, MD 20857, (301) 443-3653. Questions regarding grants management issues may be directed to: Ms. Carole Edison, Grants Management Officer, Center for Mental Health Services, 5600 Fishers Lane, room 15-81, Rockville, Maryland 20857, (301) 443-4456. Dated: March 27, 1994. Richard Kopanda, Acting Executive Officer, SAMHSA. [FR Doc. 94-7800 Filed 3-31-94; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4162-20-P