[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 138 (Tuesday, July 20, 1999)] [Notices] [Pages 38910-38911] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 99-18385] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Health Resources and Services Administration Notice of a Cooperative Agreement With the University of Southern California AIDS Social Policy Archive The Health Resources and Services Administration's (HRSA) HIV/AIDS Bureau (HAB) announces that it will award a cooperative agreement to The University of Southern California AIDS Social Policy Archive (USC). The purpose of this cooperative agreement is to (1) assist USC in an expansion of training programs to help community-based organizations train, place, and support a cadre of HIV/AIDS peer treatment educators from racial and ethnic minority groups as a strategy to engage and retain more persons of color in high quality care and to evaluate the effectiveness of this type of intervention; and (2) establish a Center for Peer HIV/AIDS Treatment Educators in order to support the training and development of knowledgeable peer educators to work within minority communities on treatment education, to increase the awareness, acceptance and appropriate utilization of effective new therapies by HIV positive persons. This project is an essential part of HAB's response to address HIV/AIDS among racial and ethnic minority populations as a part of the Congressional Black Caucus Initiative. HRSA's role in the cooperative agreement will include providing consultation and technical assistance in planning, operating, and evaluating program activities; facilitating collaboration with Ryan White grantees and other HIV national and community organizations to reach the target population; facilitating efforts in the provision of technical assistance and training to specified individuals and organizations; participating, as appropriate, in planning and producing any conferences, meetings, or workgroups conducted during the period of the cooperative agreement; and maintaining an ongoing dialogue with the applicant concerning program plans, policies, and other issues which may have major implications for any activities undertaken by the applicant under the Cooperative Agreement. Authorizing Legislation An award will be made under the program authority of Section 2692 (a) of the Public Health Service Act, 42 U.S.C. 300ff-11. Background Assistance will only be provided to USC. No other applications are solicited, nor will they be accepted. This organization is the only qualified entity to administer this cooperative agreement because: 1. The University of Southern California AIDS Social Policy Archive is the only entity that has designed a university-based peer treatment educator training program that will create a cadre of highly-trained HIV/AIDS peer treatment educators for the purpose of increasing the numbers of HIV infected African Americans entering and remaining in health care, adhering to treatment regimes, and advocating for their own health care needs. 2. This organization and its staff are established leaders in developing and promoting national and local HIV-related treatment education and policy campaigns aimed at reducing the impact [[Page 38911]] of HIV in minority populations and improving health outcomes. 3. This organization has developed a base of critical knowledge, skills, and abilities related to HIV treatment and barriers to accessing and adhering to prescribed treatments. 4. This organization has nationally recognized experts in HIV treatments (FDA approved and experimental), process and outcome evaluation, and curriculum development as core resources to support the project through out the project period. 5. This organization has demonstrated the ability to work with minority and non-minority entities, the Federal Government, academic institutions, and health groups on mutually beneficial education, research, and health endeavors related to the goal of health promotion and disease prevention among racial and ethnic minority populations; the national leadership necessary to focus the Nation's attention on minority-related health issues; and the leadership needed to organize health care professionals to work with and train racial/ethnic minority treatment educators and advocates. Up to $2,000,000 is available in fiscal year (FY) 1999 for a 12- month budget period with a project period of 3 years. Continuation awards within the project period will be made on the basis of satisfactory progress and the availability of funds. Where to Obtain Additional Information Additional information may be obtained from Ms. Brenda Woods- Francis, HIV/AIDS Bureau, HRSA, 5600 Fishers Lane, Room 7-29, Rockville, MD 20857 or telephone (301) 443-0415. Dated: July 14, 1999. Claude Earl Fox, Administrator. [FR Doc. 99-18385 Filed 7-19-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4160-15-P