Initiatives to Develop and Implement Programs to Enhance Epilepsy Public Awareness and Partnership, Education, and Communication; Notice of Availability of Funds

A. Purpose

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announces the availability of fiscal year (FY) 2000 funds for a cooperative agreement program with a national health organization to develop and implement programs to enhance epilepsy public awareness and partnership, education, and communication. Focus on these program areas stems from the results of Living Well with Epilepsy, the first national conference on public health and epilepsy, convened in September, 1997. Close collaboration among the public health, clinical, and advocacy communities represented at the conference resulted in the identification of priority epilepsy concerns including education, communication and improved public awareness.

CDC is committed to achieving the health promotion and disease prevention objectives of “Healthy People 2010” a national activity to reduce morbidity and mortality and improve the quality of life. This announcement is related to the focus area of Disability and Secondary Conditions. For the conference copy of “Healthy People 2010,” visit the internet site: <http://www.health.gov/healthypeople>.

The purpose of this program is to conduct epilepsy programs to promote public awareness and partnerships, to provide epilepsy education for the general public and for health care providers; and to develop and enhance communication channels to allow for improved interaction and information sharing among those with epilepsy and their families, as well as those who advocate for persons with epilepsy and those who provide care and services for persons with epilepsy, researchers, public health specialists, and the general public.

B. Eligible Applicants

Assistance will be provided only to a private, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that is a national voluntary health organization dedicated to assisting persons with epilepsy. Eligible applicants must have established working relationships with affiliate chapters and other agencies and organizations concerned with epilepsy on a national basis in order to expand epilepsy public awareness and public and provider education about epilepsy. Eligibility status must be documented in the Executive Summary section of the application. Applications which are determined to be ineligible will not be reviewed and will be returned to the applicant.

Limited competition is justified under this program announcement because of the need to encourage and enhance public health initiatives in the field of epilepsy as directed by the Congressional appropriation committees for FY 2000. Specifically, the Conference Report accompanying Public Law 106-113 (H.R. 3194), Consolidated Appropriations Act 2000, found at H.R. Rep. No. 106-479, at 599 (1999) directed CDC to expand epilepsy surveillance, public awareness activities, and public and provider education. Furthermore, the Senate and House Appropriations Committees encouraged CDC to partner with a National voluntary health organization dedicated to assisting persons with epilepsy in implementing public health initiatives related to epilepsy.

Note:

Public Law 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 $200,000.00 is available in FY 2000 to fund this award. It is expected that the award will begin on or about September 30, 2000, and will be made for a 12-month budget period within a project period of up to 5 years. The funding estimate may change. Continuation awards within an approved project period will be made on the basis of satisfactory progress as evidenced by required reports and the availability of funds.

Funding Preference

A funding preference will be given to a national voluntary health organization having a nationwide network of affiliates covering all Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) regions including the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico in order to provide broad geographical coverage for the dissemination of epilepsy programs.

D. Program Requirements

In conducting activities to achieve the purposes of this program, the recipient will be responsible for the activities under 1. (Recipient Activities), and CDC will be responsible for the activities listed under 2. (CDC Activities).

1. Recipient Activities

The applicant must propose activities in one or more of the following three priority areas listed below. If research activities are proposed, the applicant should discuss the potential involvement of human subjects and document how CDC human subject requirements will be met.

a. Partnership Building

(1) Develop mechanisms to provide financial and personnel support to epilepsy affiliates/chapters to facilitate building collaborative public health partnerships with state and local health departments.

(2) Develop mechanisms to provide financial and personnel support to health related organizations (other than epilepsy affiliates/chapters) to facilitate building collaborative partnerships.

(3) Develop ongoing communication vehicles (i.e., listservs, web sites, newsletters, conference calls, meetings) to facilitate problem solving and idea sharing among organizations involved in collaborative activities to implement programs to promote public awareness of epilepsy, provide education for those with epilepsy, the general public and for health care providers, and enhance communication channels.

b. Create Awareness/Improve Health Communications

(1) Implement a sustained multifaceted media relations outreach program.

(2) Develop, implement and evaluate strategies to broaden dissemination of existing educational materials, particularly those that focus on teens with epilepsy, to those with epilepsy who are under served.

c. Consumer and Provider Education

(1) Develop or adapt, evaluate, and disseminate low-literacy epilepsy education materials; and/or educational materials for large minority groups (e.g., Hispanic, Asian, American Natives, African American).

(2) Develop, evaluate, and disseminate epilepsy self-management materials delivered through traditional and/or alternative delivery mechanisms (i.e., Internet-based, CD ROM, other).

(3) Develop appropriate training on selected epilepsy interventions with demonstrated cost-effectiveness with appropriate experts including international organizations.

(4) Develop, evaluate, and disseminate continuing medical education (CME) or CME and continuing education units (CEU) granting self study professional education through alternative delivery mechanisms (i.e., Internet based, CD-ROM).

2. CDC Activities

a. Collaborate in planning, implementing, and evaluating strategies and programs.

b. Assist in the analysis and interpretation of the evaluation phase of projects or programs.

c. Provide programmatic consultation and guidance in support of the program.

d. Assist in the planning and implementation of linkages with local, national, or international epilepsy organizations or agencies.

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, so it is important to follow them in laying out your program plan. Applicant is required to submit an original and two copies of the application. The application, excluding appendices, should not exceed 30 pages. Pages should be clearly numbered and a complete index to the application and any appendices should be included. The original and each copy of the application must be submitted unstapled and unbound. All materials must be typewritten, double-spaced, with unreduced type on 8-1/2″ by 11″ paper, with at least 1″ margins, headers and footers, and printed on one side only. The application should be organized in the following sections.

1. Executive Summary

Provide a clear, concise, and objectively written statement of the major objectives and components of proposed activities, proposed time frame, and evaluation plan. Document your organization's national network by providing a list of your affiliate locations. Also, include proof of your non-profit status.

2. Existing Resources and Needs Assessment

Describe the documented need for the proposed activities and current activities that provide relevant experience and expertise to perform the proposed activities.

3. Collaborative Relationships

Describe collaborative relationships with other agencies and organizations that will be involved in the proposed activities.

4. Operational and Evaluation Plan

Describe the specific outcome and process objectives for each proposed project with deliverables clearly identified, the major steps required to achieve the objectives, and a projected timetable for completion that displays dates for the accomplishment of specific proposed activities. Describe how achievement of outcome and process objectives, and program effectiveness will be evaluated.

5. Management and Staffing Plan

Describe how the program will be effectively managed including:

(a) Management structure including the lines of authority and plans for fiscal control.

(b) The staff positions responsible for implementation of the program.

(c) Qualifications and experience of the designated staff.

6. Budget and Justification

Provide a detailed budget request and line-item justification of all proposed operating expenses.

F. Submission and Deadline

Submit the original and two copies of PHS-5161-1 (OMB Number 0937-0189) to the Grants Management Specialist identified in the Section J., “Where to Obtain Additional Information.” The application deadline date is July 7, 2000.

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. Evaluation Criteria (100 Points)

Each application will be evaluated individually against the following criteria by an independent review group appointed by CDC.

1. Resources and Needs Assessment: (25 points)

The relevance of the needs assessment and extent to which the applicant demonstrates that current activities provide experience and expertise for the proposed projects.

2. Collaboration: (15 points)

The extent to which the applicant provides evidence of collaborative relationships with other agencies and organizations relevant to successful completion of the proposed projects. The extent to which the applicant documents their nationwide affiliate network.

3. Proposed Operational and Evaluation Plan: (35 points)

The extent to which the applicant clearly identifies the specific outcome and process objectives for the proposed projects, deliverables, and the major steps required to meet the objectives; provides a realistic plan for involving others in the project; and proposes an evaluation plan that is likely to provide meaningful information about the achievement of the projects.

4. Proposed Implementation Schedule: (10 points)

The extent to which the projected timetable for completion of tasks and for meeting objectives is reasonable and realistic.

5. Project Management and Staffing Plan: (15 points)

The extent to which the applicant demonstrates management structure and staff positions with clear lines of authority and plans for fiscal control, and that designated staff have appropriate qualifications and experience. If applicable, the degree to which the applicant has met the CDC Policy requirements regarding the inclusion of women, ethnic, and racial groups in the proposed research. This includes:

a. The proposed plan for the inclusion of both sexes and racial and ethnic minority populations for appropriate representation.

b. The proposed justification when representation is limited or absent.

c. A statement as to whether the design of the study is adequate to measure differences when warranted.

d. A statement as to whether the plans for recruitment and outreach for study participants include the process of establishing partnerships with community(ies) and recognition of mutual benefits.

6. Budget: (Not Scored)

The extent to which the applicant provides a detailed budget and justification consistent with the proposed program objectives and activities.

7. Human Subjects Research (Not Scored)

If applicable, does the application adequately address the requirements of Title 45 CFR Part 46 for the protection of human subjects?

H. Other Requirements

Technical Reporting Requirements:

Provide CDC with an original plus two copies of:

1. semiannual progress reports;

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 Section J., “Where to Obtain Additional Information.”

The following additional requirements are applicable to this program. For a complete description of each, see Attachment I in the application kit.

AR 1 Human Subjects Requirements

AR 2 Requirements for Inclusion of Women and Racial and Ethic

Minorities in Research

AR 10 Smoke-Free Workplace Requirements

AR-11 Healthy People 2010

AR-12 Lobbying Restrictions

AR-14 Accounting System Requirements

AR-15 Proof of Non-Profit Status

I. Authority and Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number

This program is authorized under the sections 301(a) and 317(k)(2) the Public Health Service Act, [42 U.S.C. 241(a) and 247b(k)(2)], as amended. The Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance number is 93.283.

J. Where To Obtain Additional Information

To receive additional written information and to request an application kit, call 1-888-GRANTS4 (1-888-472-6874). You will be asked to leave your name and address and will be instructed to identify the Announcement number of interest.

If you have questions after reviewing the contents of all the documents, business management assistance may be obtained from: Barry Copeland, Grants Management Specialist, Grants Management Branch, Procurement and Grants Office Announcement 00069, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Room 3000, 2920 Brandywine Road, Atlanta, GA 30341-4146, Telephone (770) 488-2762, E-mail: bjc8@cdc.gov.

This and other CDC announcements can be found on the CDC home page Internet address—http://www.cdc.gov. Click on Funding then click on Grants and Cooperative Agreements.

For program technical assistance, contact: Mike Waller, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Adult and Community Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, 4770 Buford Highway NE, Atlanta, GA, 30341-3717, Telephone: (770) 488-5264, E-mail: mnw1@cdc.gov.