[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 65 (Tuesday, April 5, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-8058]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: April 5, 1994]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
[Announcement 427]
Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance
Introduction
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announces the
availability of fiscal year (FY) 1994 funds for cooperative agreements
to: (1) Continue monitoring the prevalence of major behavioral risks
associated with the leading causes of premature death through the
Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS); and (2) Improve the
State capacity to analyze program data collected through the BRFSS and
ensure the use of analyzed data in program planning, monitoring,
evaluation, determining program priorities, policy development,
assessing trends, and targeting relevant population groups. Survey data
collection will continue to be encouraged and supported, but the
emphasis of this announcement is the analysis and routine use of
collected data and information to actively direct successful program
development.
This announcement addresses two distinct levels of support. The
first is a Core Capacity Program, which consists of using BRFSS data
for planning, developing, integrating, coordinating and evaluating
chronic disease(s) prevention and control programs, and monitoring the
prevalence of major behavioral risks associated with leading causes of
premature death. The second is an Enhanced Program, which is intended
to increase State capacity to analyze BRFSS data and institutionalize
routine use of BRFSS data to develop meaningful interventions and
direct program development. Applicants may apply for a Core Capacity
Program or for both a Core Capacity Program and an Enhanced Program.
Enhanced Program awards will only be considered for those applicants
which successfully compete and are funded for Core Capacity Program
awards.
The Public Health Service (PHS) is committed to achieving the
health promotion and disease prevention objectives of ``Healthy People
2000,'' a PHS-led national activity to reduce morbidity and mortality
and improve the quality of life. This announcement is related to the
priority area, Surveillance Data Systems. (For ordering a copy of
``Healthy People 2000,'' see the section Where to Obtain Additional
Information.)
Authority
This program is authorized under section 317(k)(3) (42 U.S.C.
247b(k)(3)) of the Public Health Service Act, as amended.
Smoke-Free Workplace
The Public Health Service strongly encourages all cooperative
agreement recipients to provide a smoke-free workplace and promote the
non-use of all tobacco products. This is consistent with the PHS
mission to protect and advance the physical and mental health of the
American people.
Eligible Applicants
Assistance will be provided only to the official health departments
of States or their bona fide agents or instrumentalities. This includes
the District of Columbia, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of Puerto
Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, the
Northern Mariana Islands, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the
Republic of Palau.
Funding priority consideration for the Core Capacity Program will
be given to States currently funded for BRFSS.
Eligible applicants have been restricted to official health
departments of States or their bona fide agents or instrumentalities
because:
1. The conduct of statewide health promotion, health education and
risk reduction programs directed towards reducing the prevalence of
these behavioral risks in the population lie solely with State health
departments.
2. The methodology for the conduct of this program has been
structured to support the national goals/objectives put forth in
``Healthy People 2000.'' In many instances, State health departments
have already embraced or established their own goals/objectives which
match or are synonymous with those outlined in ``Healthy People 2000.''
The information gathered under the BRFSS is expected to be of use
to State health departments to support risk reduction and disease
prevention activities. Because comparable methods are used from State
to State and from year to year, States can compare risk factor
prevalence with other States and monitor the effects of interventions
over time. Also, the use of consistent methods in a large group of
States permits the assessment of geographic patterns of risk factor
prevalence. These telephone survey techniques can also be applied at
the community level to guide local efforts in reducing risk factor
prevalence. Combined, the behavioral risk factor survey and
surveillance data provide a new resource to guide State and local
disease prevention efforts.
Availability of Funds
Approximately $2,250,000 is available in FY 1994 to fund
approximately 50 awards in the following two categories:
A. Core Capacity Program
Approximately $2,000,000 is available to fund approximately 50
awards. It is expected that the average award will be $39,000 ranging
from $24,000 to $54,000.
B. Enhanced Program
Approximately $250,000 is available to fund approximately 10
awards. It is expected that the average award will be $25,000 ranging
from $10,000 to $40,000. Enhanced Program awards will only be
considered for those applicants which successfully compete and are
funded for Core Capacity Program awards.
It is expected that the awards will begin on or about September 1,
1994, and will be made for a 12-month budget period within a project
period of up to 5 years. Funding estimates may vary and are subject to
change.
Continuation awards within the project period will be made on the
basis of satisfactory progress and the availability of funds.
Purpose
The purpose of this program is to provide financial and
programmatic assistance to State health departments to maintain and
expand State specific BRFSS activities and permanently establish the
analysis and routine use of BRFSS data and information in directing
program planning, evaluating programs, determining program priorities,
developing policy, assessing trends, and targeting relevant population
groups.
Potential enhancement options envisioned by CDC would include the
following:
1. Expansion of State data analytic capacity and capabilities to
produce information necessary to support chronic disease prevention and
control activities at the State and local level through collaboration
with State health department programs, universities, CDC supported
Prevention Centers, and other relevant organizations.
2. Expansion of present interviewing capacity to provide pilot or
validity testing of surveillance questions or questionnaires.
3. Expansion of data collection and sampling frames to include
point-in-time surveys or over sampling of minority or other targeted
high-risk populations.
4. Expansion of data management, collection, and analysis
activities by acquisition of hardware and software compatible with CDC
systems.
5. Participation in testing of newly designed sampling procedures
to increase efficiency, reduce costs, and strengthen statistical power.
6. Expanded or innovative proposals by the State designed to meet
an identified program need, enhance State data analysis capability, and
promote the routine use and dissemination of analyzed data in the
development of chronic disease program interventions and in directing
chronic disease program management decisions.
Program Requirements
In conducting activities to achieve the purpose of this program,
the recipient shall be responsible for the activities under A., below,
and CDC shall be responsible for conducting activities under B., below:
A. Recipient Activities
1. Formulate a plan for the development, implementation, and
conduct of a BRFSS mechanism which conforms to recommended standards,
or continue current BRFSS data collection activities in conformance
with the BRFSS Operations Manual. (For ordering a copy of the BRFSS
Operations Manual, see the section Where to Obtain Additional
Information.)
2. Develop and implement plans and written procedures for ongoing
analysis of behavioral risk factor data statewide and for selected
local areas.
3. Develop and implement plans and written procedures to ensure the
routine use of analyzed BRFSS data in directing program planning,
evaluating programs, determining program priorities, developing
specific interventions, developing policy, assessing trends, and
targeting relevant population groups.
4. Develop and implement plans for the use of BRFSS to address
emergency or critical chronic disease issues which may arise within the
State.
5. Develop and implement procedures to increase collaboration with
and among State, local, and, as appropriate, national public, private,
voluntary, profit and non-profit agencies, organizations, and
universities which analyze data or seek to reduce chronic disease
morbidity and mortality.
6. Develop and maintain staff with the capability and expertise
necessary to carry out proposed program activities.
B. CDC Activities
1. Collaborate and assist in the compilation of specific risk
factor information related to the leading causes of State morbidity and
mortality in a periodic, standardized, and uniform manner.
2. Collaborate and assist in State staff training related to data
collection, data analysis, interpretation, and utilization.
3. Assist in the development of program intervention strategies and
evaluation of program impact.
4. Assist in the coordination of program activities among relevant
agencies and in the assessment of achievement of program and Year 2000
objectives.
5. Coordinate and facilitate the interchange of technical
information among cooperative agreement recipients.
Evaluation Criteria
Core Capacity Program and Enhanced Program applications will be
allocated 100 points each and will be reviewed and evaluated according
to the following criteria:
A. Background and Need
The extent to which the applicant justifies the need for the
program. (Core 15 Points--Enhanced 20 Points)
B. Goals and Objectives
The extent to which (1) stated goal(s) are specific, measurable,
realistic, and time-phased, (2) Objectives are related to Background
and Need issues or Year 2000 objectives, and (3) There is a timetable
for accomplishment of goals and objectives. (Core 10 Points--Enhanced
10 Points)
C. Data Use Plan
The extent to which the plan describes current or proposed data
collection activities, methods employed for collection, and methods for
using data to develop interventions and measure program achievements.
(Core 25 Points--Enhanced 40 Points)
D. Management and Staffing
The extent to which the applicant identifies staff and other
entities having the responsibility and authority to carry out program
activities, as evidenced by job descriptions, resumes, organizational
charts, and letters of support. (Core 15 Points--Enhanced 10 Points)
E. Capacity
The extent to which the applicant demonstrates the organizational
capacity and ability to address the identified needs and to develop and
conduct program activities. (Core 20 Points--Enhanced 10 Points)
F. Evaluation
The feasibility of the evaluation methods or procedures to monitor
proposed activities, and the evaluation criteria to measure program
accomplishments. (Core 15 Points--Enhanced 10 Points)
G. Budget
The extent to which the budget and justification are consistent
with the stated objectives and program purpose. (Not Weighted)
Executive Order 12372 Review
Applications are subject to Intergovernmental Review of Federal
Programs governed by Executive Order (E.O.) 12372. E.O. 12372 set up a
system for State and local government review of proposed Federal
assistance applications. Applicants should contact their State Single
Point of Contact (SPOC) as early as possible to alert them to the
prospective applications and receive the necessary instructions on the
State process. For proposed projects serving more than one State, the
applicant is advised to contact the SPOC for each affected State. A
current list of SPOCs is included in the application kit. If SPOCs have
any State process recommendations on applications submitted CDC, they
should send them to Edwin L. Dixon, Grants Management Officer, Grants
Management Branch, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC), 255 East Paces Ferry Road, NE., Atlanta,
GA 30305, no later than 60 days after the application deadline date.
The Program Announcement Number and Program Title should be referenced
on the document. The granting agency does not guarantee to
``accommodate or explain'' State process recommendations it receives
after that date.
Public Health System Reporting Requirements
This program is not subject to the Public Health System Reporting
Requirements.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number
The catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number is 93.945.
Other Requirements
HIV/AIDS Requirements
Recipients must comply with the document entitled: Content of AIDS-
Related Written Materials, Pictorials, Audiovisuals, Questionnaires,
Survey Instruments, and Educational Sessions (June 1992), a copy of
which is included in the application kit. To meet the requirements for
a program review panel, recipients are encouraged to use an existing
program review panel, such as the one created by the State health
department's HIV/AIDS prevention program. If the recipient forms its
own program review panel, at least one member must be an employee (or a
designated representative) of a State or local health department. The
names of the review panel members must be listed on the Assurance of
Compliance Form CDC 0.1113, which is also included in the application
kit. The recipient must submit the program review panel's report that
indicates all materials have been reviewed and approved.
Application Submission and Deadline
The original and two copies of the application PHS Form-5161-1
(Rev. 7/92) must be submitted to Edwin L. Dixon, Grants Management
Officer, Grants Management Branch, Procurement and Grants Office,
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 255 East Paces Ferry
Road, NE., Room 314, Mailstop E-18, Atlanta, GA 30305, on or before May
9, 1994.
1. Deadline: Applications will be considered to meet 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. (Applicant must request a
legibly dated U.S. Postal Service postmark or obtain a legibly dated
receipt from a commercial carrier or the U.S. Postal Service. Private
metered postmarks will not be accepted as proof of timely mailing.)
2. Late Applications: Applications which do not meet the above
criteria in 1.(a) or 1.(b) above are considered late applications. Late
applications will not be considered in the current competition and will
be returned to the applicant.
Where To Obtain Additional Information
A complete program description, information on application
procedures, an application package, and business management technical
assistance may be obtained from Nealean K. Austin, Grants Management
Specialist, Grants Management Branch, Procurement and Grants Office,
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 255 East Paces Ferry
Road, NE., Room 314, Mailstop E-18, Atlanta, GA 30305, telephone (404)
842-6508. Programmatic technical assistance and a copy of the BRFSS
Operations Manual may be obtained from Michael Waller, Program Manager,
Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Branch, Office of Surveillance and
Analysis, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health
Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1600
Clifton Road, NE., Mailstop K-30, Atlanta, GA, 30333, telephone (404)
488-5294.
Please refer to Announcement Number 427 when requesting information
and submitting an application.
Potential applicants may obtain a copy of ``Healthy People 2000''
(Full Report; Stock No. 017-001-00474-0) or ``Healthy People 2000''
(Summary Report; Stock No. 017-001-00473-1) referenced in the
Introduction through the Superintendent of Documents, Government
Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402-9325, telephone (202) 783-3238.
Dated: March 30, 1994.
Robert L. Foster,
Acting Associate Director for Management and Operations, Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 94-8058 Filed 4-4-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P