CDC-RFA-EH17-1702.pdf

Image Description: Centers for Disease Control

Centers for Disease Control

National Center for Environmental Health

Enhancing Innovation and Capabilities of the Environmental Public Health Tracking Network

CDC-RFA-EH17-1702

Application Due Date: 05/31/2017

Enhancing Innovation and Capabilities of the Environmental Public Health Tracking Network

CDC-RFA-EH17-1702

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Part I. Overview Information Federal Agency NameA.

Funding Opportunity TitleB.

Announcement TypeC.

Agency Funding Opportunity NumberD.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) NumberE.

Dates F.

Executive Summary G.

Part II. Full Text Funding Opportunity Description A.

Award Information B.

Eligibility Information C.

Application and Submission Information D.

Review and Selection Process E.

Award Administration Information F.

Agency Contacts G.

Other Information H.

Glossary I.

Part I. Overview Information Applicants must go to the synopsis page of this announcement at www.grants.gov and click on the "Send Me Change Notifications Emails" link to ensure they receive notifications of any changes to CDC-RFA-EH17-1702. Applicants also must provide an e-mail address to www.grants.gov to receive notifications of changes.

A. Federal Agency Name:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) / Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry

(ATSDR)

B. Funding Opportunity Title:

Enhancing Innovation and Capabilities of the Environmental Public Health Tracking Network C. Announcement Type: New - Type 1 This announcement is only for non-research activities supported by CDC. If research is proposed, the application will not be considered. For this purpose, research is defined at https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg /CFR-2007-title42-vol1/pdf/CFR-2007-title42-vol1-sec52-2.pdf. Guidance on how CDC interprets the definition of research in the context of public health can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/od/science/integrity /docs/cdc-policy-distinguishing-public-health-research-nonresearch.pdf.

Cooperative Agreement

D. Agency Funding Opportunity Number:

CDC-RFA-EH17-1702

E. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number:

93.070 F. Dates:

1. Due Date for Letter of Intent (LOI): N/A

2. Due Date for Applications: 05/31/2017, 11:59 p.m. U.S. Eastern Standard Time, at www.grants.gov.

3. Date for Informational Conference Call:

TBD

G. Executive Summary:

1. Summary Paragraph:

The purpose of the Environmental Public Health Tracking Program is to provide information from a nationwide network of environmental health data to help drive actions to improve the health of communities.

The information is shared via a network of people and the Environmental Public Health Tracking Network, a web-based system of integrated health and environmental data with components at the national, state, and local levels. The Tracking Program will build on existing state and local public health capacity and expertise in environmental health surveillance to empower public health practitioners, healthcare providers, community members, policy members, and others to make information-driven decisions that affect their health.

a. Eligible Applicants: Open Competition

b. FOA Type: Cooperative Agreement

c. Approximate Number of Awards: 26

d. Total Project Period Funding: $104,000,000 https://foa.grantsolutions.gov/www.grants.gov https://foa.grantsolutions.gov/www.grants.gov https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2007-title42-vol1/pdf/CFR-2007-title42-vol1-sec52-2.pdf https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2007-title42-vol1/pdf/CFR-2007-title42-vol1-sec52-2.pdf http://www.cdc.gov/od/science/integrity/docs/cdc-policy-distinguishing-public-health-research-nonresearch.pdf http://www.cdc.gov/od/science/integrity/docs/cdc-policy-distinguishing-public-health-research-nonresearch.pdf http://www.grants.gov

d. Total Project Period Funding: $104,000,000

e. Average One Year Award Amount: $785,000

f. Total Project Period Length: 5

g. Estimated Award Date: 08/01/2017

h. Cost Sharing and / or Matching Requirements:

N

Cost sharing or matching funds are not required for this program. Although no statutory matching requirement for this FOA exists, leveraging other resources and related ongoing efforts to promote sustainability is strongly encouraged.

Part II. Full Text A. Funding Opportunity Description

Part II. Full Text

1. Background

a. Overview In September, 2000, the Pew Environmental Health Commission issued a report entitled America’s Environmental Health Gap: Why the Country Needs a Nationwide Health Tracking Network. In this report, the Commission documented that the existing environmental health systems were inadequate and fragmented and recommended a “Nationwide Health Tracking Network for disease and exposures.” In response to the report, Congress appropriated funds in the fiscal year 2002’s budget for the CDC to establish National Environmental Public Health Tracking Program (Tracking Program) and Network and has appropriated funds each year thereafter to continue this effort.

Environmental Public Health Tracking (Tracking) is the integrated surveillance of health, exposure, and hazard information and data from a variety of national, state, and local sources. The Tracking Network is unique in that it provides the United States with accurate and timely standardized data and supports ongoing efforts within the public health and environmental sectors to improve data collection, accessibility, and dissemination as well as analytic and response capacity. Data that were previously collected for different purposes and stored in separate systems are now available in a nationally standardized format allowing programs to begin bridging the gap between health and the environment. Having accurate and timely tracking data enables public health authorities to determine temporal and spatial trends in disease and potential environmental exposures, identify populations most affected, and develop and assess the environmental public health policies and interventions aimed at reducing or eliminating diseases associated with environmental factors. The availability of these types of data in a standardized network provide researchers, public health authorities, healthcare practitioners, and the public to have a better understanding about the possible associations between the environment and adverse health effects, and to assist them with decision making.

The concept of using Tracking data and other program resources to inform public health action is explicit in the Tracking Program’s mission, with the ultimate goal of reducing the burden of environmentally related health conditions. Since 2005, one approach in monitoring Tracking Program performance is by gathering information on how the Tracking Program has been able to drive public health actions within funded jurisdictions. These public health actions include using Tracking data to: identify populations at risk;

responding to outbreaks, clusters, and emerging threats; identify, reduce, and prevent environmental hazards;

and informing policy makers, communities and other regarding potential environmental health risks. Since the end of 2015, over 340 public health actions have been documented by current state and local grantees.

With rapid changes in information technology and tools; changing data and information needs; changes in the population, disease, and environment, as well as the ability to continue to meet the growing needs of public health practitioners, researchers, and others, it is critical that the existing expertise, resources, and technical infrastructure in the Tracking Program and Tracking Network continue to support and enhance the availability, quality, timeliness, compatibility, and utility of existing hazard, exposure, and health effect data.

b. Statutory Authorities This program is authorized under Sections 311 and 317(k)(2) of the Public Health Service Act, [42 U.S.C.

Sections 243 and 247b(k)(2)], as amended.

c. Healthy People 2020 This program addresses the “Healthy People 2020” focus area(s) of Environmental Health (http://www.healt hypeople.gov/ 2020/topicsobjectives2020/overview.aspx?topicid=12) and Public Health Infrastructure (http ://www.healthypeople.gov/ 2020/topicsobjectives2020/overview.aspx?topicid=35) in addition to CDC’s Vision of “Health Protection…Health Equity” by collaborating with partners to create the expertise, information, and tools that people and communities need to protect their health – through health promotion, prevention of disease, injury and disability, and preparedness for new health threats.

d. Other National Public Health Priorities and Strategies This announcement is consistent with priorities and strategies in the Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Aeronautics and Space Administration ( http ://www.cdc.gov/nceh/tracking/partners.htm), and other CDC programs including the National Asthma Control Program, the Climate and Health Program, and ATSDR’s Program to Promote Localized Efforts To Reduce Environmental Exposure http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/tracking/related.htm). These programs address core public health areas such as environmental health, chronic disease, and health communication that contribute to prevention and health promotion efforts utilizing Tracking data.

e. Relevant Work CDC-RFA-EH17-1702 builds on activities conducted under previous FOAs, including the original work under Program Announcement 02179. Each applicant should have first-hand experience of building a state or local tracking program and network based on CDC’s standards including 1) developing an IT infrastructure and processes to disseminate environmental and health data via a public web-based application that comply with standards defined by Tracking, 2) building and maintaining an IT infrastructure--including web-based portals that follow Tracking metadata, data and functional standards--that allows for controlled access to and exchange of data with CDC’s Tracking Program, and 3) conducting analyses using tracking data and expertise to address environmental health issues at the state and local levels.

2. CDC Project Description

a. Approach

Bold indicates project period outcome.

Image Description: CDC%2DRFA%2DEH17%2D1702.PNG

i. Purpose This FOA will support grantees to conduct environmental health surveillance which guides public health http://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topicsobjectives2020/overview.aspx?topicid=12 http://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topicsobjectives2020/overview.aspx?topicid=12 http://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topicsobjectives2020/overview.aspx?topicid=35 http://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topicsobjectives2020/overview.aspx?topicid=35 http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/tracking/partners.htm http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/tracking/partners.htm http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/tracking/related.htm

This FOA will support grantees to conduct environmental health surveillance which guides public health actions to prevent or mitigate impacts of environmental hazards. Since 2002, grantees have worked with CDC to develop and build a Tracking network that allows health practitioners and others to improve understanding of how the environment impacts health. This FOA allows grantees continued access to network data, provides tools and methods for using the data, and advances the ability to use data to help reduce the burden of environmentally related exposures and diseases on the U.S. population.

ii. Outcomes The logic model displays the outcomes that are expected to result from recipient efforts in the short, mid, and long-term. As noted in the logic model, these key outcomes are expected to result during the project period:

Short-Term (1-2 years)

Public health decision makers and end-users are aware of and have access to comprehensive and integrated environmental public health data, and are able to view trends and measure impact

Intermediate (3-4 years)

Public health decision makers and other end-users incorporate environmental public health data into decision making Public health practitioners and environmental professionals develop and deliver strong informed programs, targeted interventions, and policies to address environmental public health issues Data, expertise and technical infrastructure drive measureable public health actions Improved integration of Environmental Public Health Tracking Network so that it is foundational to the jurisdiction’s public health surveillance system

Long-term (5+ years)

At least 50% of requests for Environmental Public Health Tracking data, information, and support/technical assistance represent individuals or groups outside of traditional public health practice Communities improve their health outcomes

iii. Strategies and Activities Activities in this funding opportunity announcement fall into four broad categories: Science and Content, Technology and Informatics, Communications, and Program Services. Ongoing activities in each category should be informed by work across the entire program and grantee’s priorities. For example, Communications activities should be tailored to reflect current activities in Science and Content. These activities should lead to the Outputs listed in the logic model.

Applicants need to demonstrate that 75% of the core activities are currently in place for their application.

The application must also present a strategy for implementing 100% of the core activities by the end of year

1. Awardees must maintain all core activities each year. Awardees must select and implement at least 2 new advanced activities per year. All advanced activities must be implemented and maintained by the end of year 5.

Science and Content Strategy I: Identify and integrate public health and environmental data

Core Activities SC1.A Identify and evaluate the strengths and limitations of health, exposure, environmental, and other data for the Network, in addition to work conducted as part of the Content Workgroup SC1.B Integrate data into grantee’s Tracking Network and ensure the availability and accessibility of data as appropriate for program staff and internal and external partners SC1.C Maintain existing and newly adopted Nationally Consistent Data and Measures requirements including maintenance of NCDM data within the grantee tracking network, submission of NCDM data to CDC, and dissemination of required NCDM measures via grantee’s Tracking Network https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/tracking/foa.htm SC1.D Disseminate additional indicators and measures to address grantee’s priorities, optional NCDMs or other agreed-upon standards SC1.E Collaborate with CDC, data stewards, data users, and other tracking grantees to improve existing NCDMs and, adopt new and optional NCDMs as developed by the Content Workgroup

Advanced Activities SC1.F Address gaps or limitations in available data by collaborating with state and local programs to optimize data collection and ensure the inclusion of data elements relevant to environmental public health tracking; integrating novel or non-traditional data determined to be relevant and of sufficient quality (e.g., electronic health record data); conducting analyses and activities that either fills the identified data gap or extends the applicability of the available data;

or expanding the availability and utility of sub-county data and measures

Science and Content Strategy II: Analyze and apply data to generate evidence-based activities

SC2.A Conduct routine descriptive analysis of Tracking data to evaluate quality and completeness of data; to examine state and local environmental public health issues; or to generate information for other state and local programs, state and local decision makers, and the general public SC2.B Use Tracking data to identify and prioritize the jurisdiction’s environmental public health concerns and priorities, and need for action to help direct Tracking program activities including but not limited to those listed in this FOA

Advanced Activities SC2.C Conduct routine analyses using Tracking data for the discovery of spatial, temporal, and demographic patterns of diseases, exposures, or environmental hazards; the timely identification of unusual events signaling the need for further investigation; or the non-research purposes of analyzing or linking health, exposure, and hazard data to help provide new insights or solutions to environmental health issues SC2.D Apply and interpret Tracking data to inform the development and evaluation of public health actions

Technology and Informatics Strategy I: Maintain and enhance information technology infrastructure

TI1.A Maintain a web-based publicly available environmental health tracking system that complies with CDC grantee portal requirements TI1.B Develop tools and processes to improve and promote the quality, usefulness, availability, and timeliness of data TI1.C Evaluate informatics needs and conduct a gap analysis to address barriers to the effective use of data for environmental public health decision making (or by environmental https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/tracking/foa.htm public health decision makers) TI1.D Maintain the technology infrastructure and resources to submit Tracking NCDMs to CDC during scheduled data calls TI1.E Work with informatics and IT resources within the grantee’s organization to ensure program informatics/IT activities align with organizational strategies and objectives

Advanced Activities TI1.F Establish repeatable, reliable, and readily accessible electronic access to data sources, including tools and processes to increase the availability and accessibility of timely and locally relevant data (e.g., sub-county and real time data) and any needs discovered as the result of the gap analysis TI1.G Increase data management efficiency by developing state/local standard operating procedures and increasing the use of routine, reusable, and electronic processes and scripts for obtaining, validating, and disseminating data, including use of application programming interfaces

Communications Strategy I: Conduct program marketing and outreach

C1.A Develop and implement an annual communication plan that includes a risk communication plan; specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, time-bound (SMART) objectives; and targets key tracking audiences including data stewards, state and local health department staff, policymakers, technical advisory group, relevant community groups or non-governmental organizations C1.B Participate in one coordinated, program-wide communication activity (e.g., Tracking Awareness Week) each year C1.C Provide regular, periodic updates and announcements (at least quarterly) about grantee tracking activities to partners and stakeholders via email distribution (e.g., list-serv, e-newsletter) or other mechanism C1.D Utilize social media (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, blogs) at least quarterly, either from program accounts, agency accounts, or partner accounts C1.E Present information about the Tracking Program (national and grantee), national and local Tracking Networks, data, data use (e.g., public health actions), and activities annually including: exhibiting at a meeting or conference; conducting at least one webinar to an external (outside the health department) audience; and presenting at national, regional, or local meetings or conferences C1.F Maintain existing and add new content/messaging about NCDM and other data as needed to Tracking Network websites in order to provide plain language interpretations of data and results to target audiences C1.G Disseminate existing Tracking communication messages and products (e.g., grantee profile, data highlights, community health reports, communication toolkits) to appropriate audiences

Advanced Activities C1.H In the communications plan, include at least one collaborative communication activity, in addition to the program-wide activity, with one or more Tracking grantees (e.g., co-presenting at a meeting; coordinated communication about a specific topic or awareness event) C1.I Conduct a needs assessment with target audience(s) to inform development of at least two custom communication products (e.g., messages, tools) to communicate Tracking data and information. Products may include, but are not limited to fact sheets, environmental health snapshots, infographics, newsletter articles, and social media posts

Communications Strategy II: Initiate, maintain, and expand partnerships

C2.A Develop and implement a partnership plan to engage new/innovative external partners (e.g., accountable care organizations, big data providers, new commercial technology and service providers in consumer-driven healthcare); and non-traditional public sector organizations (e.g., Tribal Nations, Department of Transportation) C2.B Maintain Technical Advisory Group to inform decisions about Tracking Program data, data analysis, communication messages and products, etc. (minimum of one meeting per year) C2.C Establish and maintain relationship with at least one university/college program.

Possible collaborations could include, but are not limited to, guest lecturing; mentoring students;

co-presenting (webinar/meeting/conference); collaborating on GIS, data analysis, or other project

Advanced Activities C2.D Establish and maintain relationship with local media (i.e., newspapers, magazines, TV) to promote Tracking through earned media C2.E Co-present/Co-sponsor a national or regional meeting/conference or webinar with other grantees or partners

Program Services Strategy I: Enhance organizational capacity to support and sustain the Tracking Network

Core Activities PS1.A Lead, support, and maintain existing Environmental Public Health Tracking Program within state and/or local jurisdictions PS1.B Identify and prioritize technical and capacity needs among state and local Tracking Program staff to inform provision of more targeted resources and training opportunities PS1.C Support and facilitate training of the state and local public health workforce and partners on basic Tracking principles to establish a common understanding of the Tracking Program

Advanced Activities PS1.D Develop and implement program-specific training opportunities, through Web-based or in-person training modules or other product (e.g., video tutorial) and internships/fellowships/mentorships for students in environmental public health tracking

Program Services Strategy II: Monitor the impact and performance of program activities

PS2.A Document and submit public health actions quarterly (if available), but at a minimum of twice a year, to show program impact PS2.B Develop and implement an annual evaluation plan, based on CDCs provided template, that clearly identifies accomplishments and guides implementation efforts PS2.C Assist the CDC Tracking Program in conducting annual portal reviews PS2.D Collect and submit two times a year a report of website statistics on the public Tracking website using standard web statistics established by the Tracking Program

Emerging Topical Activities (to submit if funding is available):

Additional funding may be available on an annual basis for new, innovative, and emerging topics, scientific methods, or processes that link environmental public health surveillance with topical issues in health care, and demonstrate the health impact of Tracking. These activities should advance the growth, development and use of the state/local and national networks. These activities should reflect the state of the science, and will focus on emerging priorities for the Tracking Program. When supplemental funds are available, information about these activities will be provided in the annual continuation guidance.

Activity 1: Geocoding Sub-County Data. The expected outcomes of this activity are the increased utility of sub-county data for grantees, an improved understanding of the process and resources needed for geo-coding, and the increased availability of sub-county data to support future national consistent sub-county data standards and collection. Awardees will geocode (either directly or through collaboration with the data steward) at least the most recent five years of data for one of the required Nationally Consistent Data and Measures datasets. Awardees should demonstrate how these data will be utilized to benefit their Tracking program.

Activity 2: Water boundary mapping. Awardees participating in this activity must collect, maintain and share geographic information on public drinking water system customer service areas. Customer service areas are the geographic boundaries that help to identify the population served by the drinking water purveyor. The awardee will examine the feasibility of mapping and regularly updating the geographic boundaries of public water systems, and determine how to integrate such PWS displays into state networks using best practices.

Activity 3: Electronic Health Records (EHR). Awardees will help demonstrate the utility of EHR data in providing more detailed information in environmental public health tracking. For this activity, focus will be on exploring the specific use of EHRs for surveillance of exposures to environmental hazards, and the core data elements needed to apply this data to Tracking. Activities will also identify processes and methods that can help to overcome barriers in accessing EHR data for public health surveillance. Barriers could include ethical, technical, or administrative challenges such as: data privacy, confidentiality and security concerns, and health data exchange between providers/EHR/health information exchanges and public health agencies.

1. Collaborations

a. With other CDC programs and CDC-funded organizations:

Awardees are required to collaborate with other CDC-funded programs within their jurisdictions that focus on related issues when interests and activities align. These may include, but are not limited to, participants in the Healthy Homes and Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, National Asthma Control Program, the Division of Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, the Safe Water System, the Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, the Climate and Health Program and ATSDR’s Program to Promote Localized Efforts To Reduce Environmental Exposure, for the purposes of sharing data; developing consistent definitions and measures; and creating maps, tables, or other appropriate tools for demonstrating alignment between surveillance findings and program efforts.

b. With organizations not funded by CDC:

Awardees are required to collaborate with several key partners, including their state environmental agencies.

Awardees are required to collaborate with several key partners, including their state environmental agencies.

These established relationships may also benefit awardees by further enhancing their activities. When possible, awardees should incorporate external partners (e.g., accountable care organizations, big data providers, new commercial technology and service providers in consumer-driven healthcare); and non-traditional public sector organizations (e.g., Tribal Nations, Department of Transportation) into their workplan.

An important component of this announcement is to build partnerships among environmental and health agencies, their subordinate departments and staff, county health departments, and public health laboratories.

Therefore, applicants must demonstrate that their program will be a collaborative effort by including the following with their application:

1. A letter of collaboration signed by both the state (or local) Secretary/Director of Health or equivalent and the state (or local) Secretary/Director of Environmental Quality/Protection/Natural Resources or the equivalent agency/department confirming that partnership exists or will be developed within 90 days from receiving funds:

Between Health and Environmental Agencies/Departments to exchange and/or share data, provide technical expertise on data interpretation. Evidence of a partnership may be a confirmation of an existing memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Health and Environment that covers activities related to this FOA.

Between appropriate organizational units within each Agency/Department (within the Health Department this may include birth defect programs, cancer registries, vital statistics, lead programs, environmental epidemiology, the state laboratory, chronic disease, and others).

If Health and Environment are organized under one state agency/department, a letter of intent from the Secretary/Director or equivalent of that agency/department confirming that partnership exists or will be developed across appropriate organizational units within the Agency/Department as required.

2. A letter designating a public health liaison within the environmental agency/department and an environmental liaison within the health agency/department, describing their roles and responsibilities respectively.

3. Eligible local health departments must provide a letter from responsible state authority assuring that activities related to this program will be coordinated with the State Health Department, and that the state will cooperate in providing relevant data to support NCDMs on the local and CDC network portals.

4. A letter of collaboration from the awardee’s Public Health and/or Environment Health Laboratory director to confirm their collaboration with the awardee throughout the funding period.

5. A letter of commitment from awardee’s information technology management office indicating intent for collaboration and coordination on all IT focused activities listed under “Recipient Activities.”

2. Target Populations The collection, exploration, visualization, and analysis of Tracking data assists grantees in identifying populations most at-risk for specific environmental health concerns.

a. Health Disparities

N/A

iv. Funding Strategy N/A

b. Evaluation and Performance Measurement

i. CDC Evaluation and Performance Measurement Strategy Evaluation and performance measurements help demonstrate achievement of program outcomes, build a stronger practice base for specific program strategies, and support continuous program improvement.

Evaluation and performance measurement can also determine if program activities are scalable and effective at reaching their target populations. The Tracking Program’s evaluation strategy is grounded in CDC’s Evaluation Framework for Public Health, MMWR, September 18, 1999, Vol. 48/ No. RR-11, (http://www .cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/RR/RR4811.pdf ) as well as in the surveillance system focused approach described in CDC’s Updated Guidelines for Evaluating Public Health Surveillance Systems, MMWR, July 27, 2001, Vol. 50/ RR-13, (http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5013a1.htm). Ultimately, CDC’s Tracking Program will be evaluated by how well it has documented and identified the environment’s impact on health and the extent to which the Tracking Program has effectively leveraged its resources to improve the public’s health.

CDC Evaluation and Performance Measurement Strategy:

CDC will use information collected from awardees to help evaluate the Tracking Program’s impact on the public health by focusing on these outcomes:

Public health decision makers and other end-users are aware of and have access to comprehensive and integrated public health and environmental data, and are able to view trends and measure impact Public health decision makers and other end-users incorporate environmental public health data into decision making Public health and environmental professionals develop and deliver strong informed programs, targeted interventions, and policies to address environmental health issues

ii. Applicant Evaluation and Performance Measurement Plan Applicants must provide an evaluation and performance measurement plan that demonstrates how the awardee will fulfill the requirements described in the CDC Evaluation and Performance Measurement and Project Description sections of this FOA. At a minimum, the plan must describe:

How applicant will collect the performance measures, respond to the evaluation questions, and use evaluation findings for continuous program quality improvement.

How key program partners will participate in the evaluation and performance measurement planning processes.

Available data sources, feasibility of collecting appropriate evaluation and performance data, and other relevant data information (e.g., performance measures proposed by the applicant) Plans for updating the Data Management Plan (DMP), if applicable, for accuracy throughout the lifecycle of the project. The DMP should provide a description of the data that will be produced using these FOA funds; access to data; data standards ensuring released data have documentation describing methods of collection, what the data represent, and data limitations; and archival and long-term data preservation plans. For more information about CDC’s policy on the DMP, see https://www.cdc.gov/grants/additionalrequirements/ar-25.html.

Where the applicant chooses to, or is expected to, take on specific evaluation studies, they should be directed to:

http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/RR/RR4811.pdf http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/RR/RR4811.pdf http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5013a1.htm https://www.cdc.gov/grants/additionalrequirements/ar-25.html to:

Describe the type of evaluations (i.e., process, outcome, or both).

Describe key evaluation questions to be addressed by these evaluations.

Describe other information (e.g., measures, data sources).

Awardees will be required to submit a more detailed Evaluation and Performance Measurement plan, including a DMP, within the first 6 months of award, as described in the Reporting Section of this FOA.

The 9 key evaluation questions are restated from the strategies in the 'Strategies and Activities' section above.

At minimum, recipients will conduct evaluation in conjunction with CDC to answer these questions.

The evaluation questions fall into four broad categories: Science and Content, Technology and Informatics, Communications, and Program Services. They are:

Science and Content:

To what extent has the program identified and integrated public health and environmental data?

To what extent has the program analyzed and applied data to generate evidence-based information?

Technology and Informatics:

To what extent has the program maintained and enhanced information technology infrastructure?

Communications:

To what extent has the program conducted program marketing and outreach?

To what extent has the program initiated, maintained, and expanded partnerships?

Program Services:

To what extent has the program increased organizational capacity to support and sustain the Tracking Network?

To what extent has the program monitored the impact and performance of program activities?

Environmental Health Tracking Program:

To what extent has the Environmental Public Health Tracking surveillance data been integrated with other existing state/local health department surveillance systems?

To what extent has Environmental Public Health Tracking data, information, and expertise assisted users who are outside of traditional public health practice?

To answer these questions, CDC will use a standardized evaluation approach that all awardees will be required to follow. Awardees will be required to 1) collect and report required process and outcome measures on a quarterly or annual basis, specified in the table below; 2) develop and implement jurisdiction-based evaluation plans and share findings with CDC if necessary; 3) participate in refining CDC’s evaluation and performance measurement strategy as necessary.

The following performance measures should be collected for each budget year and reported to CDC by the end of the budget year. The format for submission will be specified in post-award guidance. CDC will work with awardees in the first year of the cooperative agreement to establish and implement the required performance measures. Awardees may develop additional measures as necessary, but it is not required.

Awardees must report annually on the following measures:

Science and Content:

Number of public health actions submitted per year1.

Number of new measures and indicators developed for state/local network2.

Number of new measures and indicators developed that are not NCDM’s3.

Description of new routine analyses conducted to improve and/or evaluate program activities4.

Technology and Informatics:

Number of new tools and processes developed to improve the quality, usefulness, availability, and timeliness of data

1.

List and description of integration of Environmental Public Health Tracking surveillance data with other state/local public health surveillance system(s)

2.

Communications:

Number of trainings given with number of participants in each1.

Number of presentations given (live or webinar) with number of participants in each2.

Number of social media posts with number of impressions for each Twitter post and reach for each Facebook post

3.

Number of program announcements/updates disseminated via listserv, e-newsletter, etc.4.

Number of exhibiting events with number of visitors at each5.

Number of internal and external partners (listed by name)6.

Program Services:

Number, role and title of workgroups and subgroups that your program is participating in to increase organizational capacity

1.

Number of personnel supported directly and in-kind under this program2.

Number of program training opportunities for student interns or fellows3.

Number of activities that are developed in response to requests for data needs, support, and/or expertise by individuals or groups outside of traditional public health practice

4.

Summary of standardized website statistics5.

Additionally, awardees will be required to collect and submit public health actions on a quarterly basis (if available), but at least two times a year, as an outcome performance measure. CDC will use submitted public health actions to demonstrate program impact on an awardee’s jurisdiction. CDC will work with awardees to identify and provide feedback on submitted public health actions.

CDC will develop annual, aggregate performance measure reports to be disseminated to awardees and other stakeholders as appropriate. CDC will use evaluation findings to identify the overall impact of the Tracking Network and provide recommendations for continuous program quality improvement.

To ensure program resources are used effectively, CDC will work with awardees to review required performance measures and discontinue any that provide information with limited use.

c. Organizational Capacity of Awardees to Implement the Approach Applicants must have demonstrated ability to implement CDC program requirements and meet project period outcomes. Applicants must describe their current capacity to successfully conduct program strategies and activities in the areas of science and content, technology and informatics, communication, and program services.

Applicants should describe the following:

Science and Content Capacity

The ability of the applicant to analyze and apply data to generate evidence-based activities including:

Conducting routine descriptive analyses of Tracking data to evaluate its quality and completeness, identify and prioritize environmental health issues in their jurisdiction, and respond to requests for technical assistance from other programs and decision makers.

Collecting, analyzing, and using environmental health data to target public health action or inform public health decision making specific to the jurisdiction.

Information Technology Capacity

Evidence of a state/city-based Tracking Network consistent with CDC’s portal and data requirements.

Letters of commitment or evidence of existing relationships with required data stewards.

The extent to which the applicant describes their ability to maintain required data flows to CDC through regularly scheduled data calls. If staff outside the immediate organizational unit are responsible for maintaining data flows, the applicant should provide a letter of support or other documentation detailing their commitment to submitting required data in the specified format.

Communications Capacity

Evidence of engaging key Tracking audiences including data stewards, state and local health department staff, policymakers, technical advisory groups, and relevant community or nongovernmental organizations.

Experience disseminating Tracking communications messages and products to target audiences

Program Services Capacity

Experience conducting evaluation activities to identify accomplishments and guide continuous program improvement.

The extent to which the applicant can provide leadership and environmental public health tracking expertise to key partners, including Tracking projects and workgroups.

Staffing Plan and Project Management Structure

A staffing plan and project management structure with (a) a distribution of project management, epidemiology, information technology or data management, communications expertise, and evaluation appropriate for carrying out proposed activities; (b) clearly defined staff roles; (c) an organizational chart.

A staffing plan with at least 0.5 dedicated IT staff member either within the program or directly available from a contractor or other agency program, that is responsible for developing and maintaining their Tracking Network.

A staffing plan with at least one 0.5 FTE staff with a background in risk communications, marketing, or other experience related to communicating complex environmental public health information.

Position descriptions and resumes indicating that each staff member has the qualifications, knowledge, training, and experience to perform assigned duties.

d. Work Plan Applicants must submit a work plan that covers the first year of the five-year project period. Applicants may include a high level summary of activities for subsequent project years if space allows.

Work plans must include and identify strategies and selected activities with their associated performance measures (including data sources, targets, and timeframe for completion). Selected strategies and activities should identify the person, organizational unit, or contractor responsible for implementation. The work plan should clearly identify the required core activities and selected advanced activity for each strategy.

An example work plan template is available below. Applicants are not required to use this template, but should incorporate all of the required elements.

Work Plan Template Project Title

Task Strategy and

Activity

Output Outcome Performance Measure Timeline

e. CDC Monitoring and Accountability Approach Monitoring activities include routine and ongoing communication between CDC and awardees, site visits, and awardee reporting (including work plans, performance, and financial reporting). Consistent with applicable grants regulations and policies, CDC expects the following to be included in post-award monitoring for grants and cooperative agreements:

Tracking awardee progress in achieving the desired outcomes.

Ensuring the adequacy of awardee systems that underlie and generate data reports.

Creating an environment that fosters integrity in program performance and results.

Monitoring may also include the following activities deemed necessary to monitor the award:

Ensuring that work plans are feasible based on the budget and consistent with the intent of the award.

Ensuring that awardees are performing at a sufficient level to achieve outcomes within stated timeframes.

Working with awardees on adjusting the work plan based on achievement of outcomes, evaluation results and changing budgets.

Monitoring performance measures (both programmatic and financial) to assure satisfactory performance levels.

Monitoring and reporting activities that assist grants management staff (e.g., grants management officers and specialists, and project officers) in the identification, notification, and management of high-risk grantees.

f. CDC Program Support to Awardees (THIS SECTION APPLIES ONLY TO COOPERATIVE

AGREEMENTS)

CDC will provide substantial involvement beyond site visits and regular performance and finance monitoring during project periods. Areas of support include technical assistance, information sharing between awardees, as well as other areas of support. Activities include:

1. Maintain and revise the National Tracking Network Architecture as Tracking/PHIN standards evolve in order to meet the awardee’s needs.

2. Manage and maintain the National Tracking Network based on specifications in the Technical Network Implementation Plan (TNIP - https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/tracking/foa.htm), with input from awardees and other Tracking partners.

3. Maintain the CDC gateway of the National Tracking Network.

4. Maintain and revise Tracking standards for the portal and NCDMs.

5. Review public health actions and maintain a repository of approved public health actions.

6. Foster collaboration with:

CDC’s National Center of Environmental Health’s Office of the Director, as needed, to maintain and facilitate the creation of any emerging Tracking-related technical and data standards.

CDC’s Office of Public Health Scientific Services (OPHSS), as needed, to maintain and facilitate the creation of any new Tracking-related technical and data standards.

CDC’s Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response (OPHPR), as needed, to maintain and facilitate the creation of any emerging Tracking-related technical and data standards.

Federal data partners such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S.

Geological Survey (USGS), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to further the use of environmental data, fill data gaps, and develop methods and tools for use in Tracking.

Awardees on projects to (a) improve the quality of data provided to CDC for the National Tracking Network Portals, and (b) explore methods and best practices for linking and analyzing health and environmental data.

National data stewards and other professional organizations to facilitate data and information sharing and improvements in data quality that will support the awardees’ Tracking activities.

Tribal organizations to develop environmental health capacity and assess tribal environmental health priorities within grantee jurisdictions.

7. Coordinate:

Technical assistance to awardees in work plan development; design and implementation of program activities, including analysis and presentation of data; and facilitation of regional trainings.

Awardee data submissions and develop/maintain tools to assist awardees during the data submission process.

With EPA and OPHSS to ensure interoperability between CDC’s PHIN and EPA’s National Environmental Information Exchange Network.

Identification, development, and/or maintenance of appropriate methods and tools for use in the National Tracking Network and facilitate license agreements, where appropriate, to provide broad access among Tracking partners to these tools.

Activities at the national level among Centers, Institutes and Offices at CDC and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry as well as other federal partners, national data organizations, and national partners.

8. Facilitate the development of Tracking-specific communication and outreach strategy guidelines with input from awardees and other Tracking partners, and the criteria to evaluate the effectiveness of the activities in the guidelines.

9. Provide specific NCDMs from federal partners for use on state and local network portals as appropriate and in compliance with CDC data sharing agreements.

10. Facilitate:

A monthly forum for principal investigators via teleconference to promote the discussion of key Tracking issues and exchange of ideas.

A National Tracking Program meeting approximately once every other year, and up to two grantee meetings annually.

11. Implement and participate in projects and workgroups as needed to address specific program issues.

Work with awardees on workgroups as needed to solicit input from state/local partners, academic partners, and other stakeholders on issues relevant to the implementation of the state and national Tracking networks.

12. Conduct program evaluation activities including but not limited to annual or semi-annual portal evaluations for all recipients. Program evaluation activities will also include: 1) comprehensive program assessment of overall progress made toward network development at the state and national levels; 2) training activities; 3) data utilization; 4) partnership, outreach and communication activities.

13. Securely maintain, manage, and disseminate data provided by grantees and other partners as described in the Tracking Programs Data Re-Release Plan https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/tracking/foa.htm

B. Award Information

1. Funding Instrument Type: Cooperative Agreement CDC's substantial involvement in this program appears in the CDC Program

Support to Awardees Section.

2. Award Mechanism: UE1 UE1 - Studies of Environmental Hazards and Health Effects - Cooperative Agreements to Develop or Improve Facets of the Public Health Information

3. Fiscal Year: 2017

4. Approximate Total Fiscal Year Funding:

$20,800,000

5. Approximate Project Period Funding:

$104,000,000

This amount is subject to the availability of funds.

Estimated Total Funding: $104,000,000

6. Total Project Period Length:

5 year(s)

7. Expected Number of Awards:

8. Approximate Average Award:

$785,000 Per Budget Period

9. Award Ceiling: $1,200,000 Per Budget Period

This amount is subject to the availability of funds.

10. Award Floor: $600,000 Per Budget Period

11. Estimated Award Date: 08/01/2017

12. Budget Period Length: 12 month(s)

Throughout the project period, CDC will continue the award based on the availability of funds, the evidence of satisfactory progress by the awardee (as documented in required reports), and the determination that continued funding is in the best interest of the federal government. The total number of years for which federal support has been approved (project period) will be shown in the “Notice of Award.” This information does not constitute a commitment by the federal government to fund the entire period.