dd12-1204 foa final 2.28.12.doc

Table of Contents Part 1. Overview Information Part 2. Full Text of the Announcement Section I. Funding Opportunity Description Section II. Award Information Section III. Eligibility Information Section IV. Application and Submission Information Section V. Application Review Information Section VI. Award Administration Information Section VII. Agency Contacts Section VIII. Other Information

PART 1. OVERVIEW INFORMATION

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Federal Agency Name: Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Funding Opportunity Title: Improving the Health of People with Disabilities through State Based Public Health Programs Announcement Type: New – Type 1 Agency Funding Opportunity Number: CDC-RFA-DD12-1204 Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 93.184 Key Dates:

To receive notification of any changes to CDC-RFA-DD-12-1204, return to the synopsis page of this announcement at: www.grants.gov and click on the “Send Me Change Notification Emails” link. An email address is needed for this service.

Letter of Intent Deadline Date: March 13, 2012 Application Deadline Date: April 27, 2012, 11:59pm U.S. Eastern Standard Time Informational Conference Calls:

CDC will conduct one conference call on March 13, 2012 at 4 p.m. EST with prospective applicants to answer questions regarding this announcement. The CDC Disability and Health program strongly recommends prospective applicants to participate in this conference call. The conference call number is 1-866-863-1293, participant code 5627733. If you wish to participate, please contact by e-mail the official noted for Program Technical Assistance in the Agency Contacts section of this announcement, Jacqui Butler, MPA at jabutler@cdc.gov. Captioning service is available. If you would like the captioning service, please contact Jacqui Butler, MPA at jabutler@cdc.gov promptly to allow time for testing system compatibility. This service is provided at no charge.

You are encouraged to provide advance questions that will be a part of the general discussion during the call. Following the conference call with potential applicants, a Q&A information sheet will be posted on the NCBDDD webpage www.cdc.gov/ncbddd.

Executive Summary:

The overarching goal of this program is to promote and maximize health, prevent chronic disease, improve emergency preparedness and increase the quality of life among people with disabilities (PWD).

Applicants should define and justify concrete, achievable targets for these objectives for their state or territory. Targets should align with Healthy People 2020 targets and the NCBDDD long-term goals. Applicants should use state level data to justify targets.

Measurable outcomes of the program will be in alignment with one (or more) of the following priorities for the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD), Division of Human Development and Disability (DHDD):

Priority1: Reduce disparities in key health indicators, including obesity in children, youth and adults with disabilities.

Priority 4: Identify and reduce disparities in health care access for people with disabilities.

This announcement is only for non-research activities supported by CDC. If research is proposed, the application will not be reviewed. For the definition of research, please see the CDC Web site at the following Internet address:

http://www.cdc.gov/od/science/integrity/docs/cdc-policy-distinguishing-public-health-research-nonresearch.pdf.

PART 2. FULL TEXT

I.FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

Statutory Authority

This program is authorized under Sections 317C of the PHS Act (42 USC 247b-4).

Background The Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Improve the Health and Wellness of

Persons with Disabilities U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2005() states that good health is necessary for persons with disabilities to secure the freedom to work learn and engage in their families and communities. Specific goals in the Call to Action include:

1. People nationwide understand that persons with disabilities can lead long, healthy, productive lives;

2. Health care providers have the knowledge and tools to screen, diagnose and treat the whole person with a disability with dignity;

3. People with disabilities can promote their own good health by developing and maintaining healthy lifestyles; and

4. Accessible health care and support services promote independence for people with disabilities.

People with disabilities are faced with a number of challenges that put their health at greater risk relative to the general population. Analysis of national surveys shows higher prevalence of behavioral risk factors such as obesity, smoking, and physical inactivity

ADDIN EN.CITE

(Armour BS et al., 2007;Rimmer, Schiller, & Chen, 2011; Weil et al., 2002) Recent findings indicate that the prevalence of smoking is approximately twice that of people without disabilities [(28.3% vs. 16.1%),NCBDDD, 2011a() ]. Obesity prevalence is higher [(37.6% vs. 23.8%),NCBDDD, 2011b() ], and people with disabilities perceive themselves to be in poorer health status by a four to one margin, 40% vs. 10% CDC, 2008() . Risk factors that may be associated with many chronic conditions and clinical care outcomes for people with disabilities are unclear due to the lack of inclusion or inability to functionally identify people with disabilities in many population studies of chronic conditions. In general, people with disabilities experience higher rates of hospitalization, contributing to approximately $400 billion in health-related expenditure in 2006 Anderson, Wiener, Finkelstein, & Armour, 2011() . Not surprisingly, they also experience higher mortality rates Gustavson, Umb-Carlsson, & Sonnander, 2005() . People with disabilities as tend to have lower screening rates, later diagnosis and reduced treatment options for cancer.

ADDIN EN.CITE

(Caban, Nosek, Graves, Esteva, & McNeese, 2002; Courtney-Long, Armour, Frammartino, & Miller, 2011; Patja, Eero, & Iivanainen, 2001) Addressing public health issues related to disability requires health departments and other stakeholders to assess need by 1) understanding the unique nature of the problems, 2) being able to assess the magnitude of the problems within the population specifically affected, and 3) understanding population characteristics before being able to consider appropriate interventions to address the problem Rossi, Lipsey, & Freeman, 2004() . A comprehensive public health approach designed to improve health outcomes for people with disabilities should build upon this assessment by:

a) Assessing the health care environment, (physical, social and systemic), for barriers that limit people with disabilities from participating in prevention programs and in accessing health care services.

b) Investigating whether people with disabilities benefit from existing health promotion programs that target chronic conditions.

c) Assessing training of health care providers and emergency responders to adequately address the needs of people with disabilities in health care and community settings.

d) Determining what contributes to health for people with disabilities that may be different from the general population.

Information received will allow state, national, and other disability stakeholders to prioritize and target intervention efforts, and improve likelihood for success.

Purpose

The purpose of the program is to promote health, prevent chronic disease, and increase the quality of life among people with disabilities through implementation of evidence and practice-based policy, environmental, programmatic, and infrastructure changes in states and territories. This program addresses the “Healthy People 2020” focus area(s) of Disability:

DH–1 Identification of “people with disabilities” in data systems

DH–2 Surveillance and health promotion programs

DH–3 Graduate-level courses in disability and health

DH–4 Barriers to primary care

DH–8 Barriers to health and wellness programs

DH–9 Barriers to participation

DH-13 Participation in social, spiritual, recreational, community and civic activities

Program Implementation

Recipient Activities This program will provide support to State Health Departments (SHDs) or their bona-fide agents to develop and strengthen health-related disability programs. The support is intended to increase capacity and action in health promotion, health care access and emergency preparedness activities for people with disabilities.

Goal: Enhance Program Infrastructure and Capacity

Target: State endorsed three-year strategic plan for health-related disability initiatives within the state.

Target: Completed sustainability plan for health-related disability initiatives.

Target: People with disabilities are represented on standing committees that can support and advance stated program goals and objectives.

Activities:

· Develop a three-year work plan including separate long-term (three years) goals and supporting (first-year) objectives. Objectives should be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound (SMART) and outcome oriented. Quantitative baselines should be provided for each objective.

· Document requests for technical assistance (e.g., advice, consultation, presentation, tools, training, assessments and materials) from businesses, organizations, and people with disabilities, etc.

· Establish or maintain an existing Disability Community Planning Group (DCPG). The purpose of the DCPG is to provide guidance on strategic and sustainability planning, methods for achieving program goals, objectives and activities, and methods for leveraging resources and partnerships within the state.

· Participate in CDC-sponsored grantee meetings or trainings. The grantee must assure representation by the principal investigator (or approved designee) and full-time program staff members at the state health agency to participate in CDC-sponsored meetings, trainings, and conference calls. Budget funds requested and provided through this grant for travel must be used for the purposes described in this announcement.

Goal: Improve State Level Surveillance and Monitoring Activities

Target: Develop a process for developing standards for quantifying specific conditions among people with disabilities at the state level.

Activities:

· Conduct a statewide public health needs assessment of the target population (people with disabilities). The needs assessment should be a systematic collection, analysis, dissemination and evaluation of information/initiatives/programs designed to assess/improve the health status of people with disabilities. Suggested content:

· Physical access to health care services (including both accessibility to and receipt of health care services)

· Use of preventive health care services among people with disabilities

· Inclusion/integration of people with disabilities into existing mainstream health promotion programs

· Rates of health behaviors and risk factors that are associated with adverse health events and/or health disparities (e.g., injuries, physical inactivity, mental health conditions, etc.)

· Develop a briefing document that provides an overview of the state demographic characteristics, health disparities, comparing state–to-county (where possible) and state-to-national level estimates on health status and preventive practices for people with disabilities.

· Use applicable National, State and Local disability data sources

· Submit an annual disability data report for use in the state/territory.

· Monitor surveillance activities

Goal: Increase Awareness of Health-related Disability Policy Initiatives

Target: Create initiatives that have the potential to have a population impact on the health of people with disabilities within the state.

Activities:

· Identify policy needs within the state and determine priority areas of focus.

· Identify and collaborate with staff that can provide policy support and health data relating to policy initiatives that affect people with disabilities.

· Disseminate disability educational materials (e.g. fact sheets)

· Prepare policy briefs/reports and monitor opportunities aimed at improving the health and well-being of people with disabilities.

· Disseminate key program and other educational information to policymakers and committee members. (e.g., Disability and Health chart book, http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/disabilityandhealth/chartbook) Goal: Increase Health Promotion Opportunities for People with Disabilities to Maximize Health

In certain instances the program targets include numeric percentages and have been set for certain activities. These targets are intended to show some level of population based change in the health of people with disabilities. There are no penalties if awardee does not meet the stated target(s). However, awardee should describe why target(s) were not met and provide lessons learned and barriers encountered their annual report to inform program planning efforts.

Target: Increase by 5% the number of state-based train-the-trainer sessions and training offered during the project period that aims to maximize the health of people with disabilities.

Target: Increase by 2% the number of people with disabilities that participate in mainstream public health programs during the project period.

Target: Improve breast cancer screening initiatives (e.g. accessible mammography equipment and training for mammography technicians) for women with disabilities Activities:

· Promote and provide sensitivity (to the unique health needs of people with disabilities) training for health care providers.

· Develop and disseminate health information for people with disabilities that promotes healthy behaviors.

· Use data from the statewide public health needs assessment to conduct demonstration projects to increase state-wide participation in health promotion programs

· Serve as a resource within the state by providing technical assistance (e.g., advice, consultation, presentation, tools, training, assessments and materials) to businesses, organizations, and people with disabilities, etc.

Goal: Improve Access to Health Care for People with Disabilities In certain instances the program targets include numeric percentages and have been set for certain activities. These targets are intended to show some level of population based change in the health of people with disabilities. There are no penalties if awardee does not meet the stated target(s). However, awardee should describe why target(s) were not met and provide lessons learned and barriers encountered their annual report to inform program planning efforts.

Target: Increase by 5% the number of people with disabilities receiving preventive health care screenings during the project period.

Target: Increase by 2% the number of facilities providing preventive health care screenings to people with disabilities during the project period.

Activities:

· Conduct assessments of health care facilities and medical equipment for baseline information on barriers to services for people with disabilities.

· Develop a process to identify, prioritize and assess health care facilities that provide preventive and primary health care to medically underserved populations.

· Promote increased physical accessibility in health care facilities that provide preventive and primary health care to medically underserved populations.

· Promote accessibility improvements (external and internal to the facility) and availability of appropriate medical equipment in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Affordable Care Act and applicable state laws.

· Develop recommendations for improving preventive health care services to people with varying types of disability, including indicators of physical or economic barriers (e.g., adjustable exam tables) to health care that can be tracked over time.

· Serve as a resource within the state by providing technical assistance (e.g., advice, consultation, presentation, tools, training, assessments and materials) to businesses, organizations, and people with disabilities, etc.

Goal: Improve Emergency Preparedness among People with Disabilities In certain instances the program targets include numeric percentages for certain activities. These targets are intended to show some level of population based change in the health of people with disabilities. There are no penalties if awardee does not meet the stated target(s). However, awardee should describe why target(s) were not met and provide lessons learned and barriers encountered their annual report to inform program planning efforts.

Target: State Emergency Management Agencies (EMA) have a plan that will adequately address the needs of people with disabilities in emergencies in accordance with the ADA (http://www.ada.gov/emerprepguideprt.pdf ).

Target: Promote State participation of people with disabilities in emergency planning exercise planning.

Target: Increase the number of people with disabilities who have an emergency plan and/or kit.

Target: Increase the number of care providers of people with disabilities who have tools to create an emergency preparedness plan.

Target: Assess and/or provide technical assistance in the assessment of public emergency shelters to assure people with disabilities have physical access to and within the facility and shelters have plans for continuity of care for people with disabilities in accordance with the ADA Best Practices Tool Kit for State and Local Governments (http://www.ada.gov/pcatoolkit/chap7shelterprog.htm).

Activities:

· Assess State emergency plans to determine if plans are inclusive of the needs of people with disabilities.

· Collaborate with State EMA to include people with disabilities into state emergency plans.

· Promote the inclusion of people with disabilities and their caregivers, attendants or other key support people in emergency preparedness training and education exercises.

· Disseminate information and tools to emergency responders and institutions on how to respond to the needs of people with disabilities during emergencies.

· Collect baseline data regarding the number of people with disabilities who have an emergency plan and/or kit.

· Identify approaches for developing and disseminating emergency plans and/or kits to people with disabilities and their caregivers.

· Measure change in the number of people with disabilities who have an emergency plan and/or kit in final year of project and report resulting change.

· Collect baseline data regarding of care providers of people with disabilities who have tools to create an emergency preparedness plan.

· Identify approaches for developing and disseminating tools to create an emergency preparedness plan to care providers of people with disabilities.

· Measure change in the number of care providers of people with disabilities who have tools to create an emergency preparedness plan in final year of project and report resulting change.

· Create a roster of all designated emergency shelters.

· Assess shelter capacity to meet the needs of people with disabilities in accordance with ADA recommendations (http://www.ada.gov/pcatoolkit/chap7shelterchk.htm)

· Promote and provide trainings addressing the various needs of people with disabilities in emergency situations to emergency responders and emergency managers on:

· How to address the unique needs of people with disabilities during disasters including but not limited to shelter access, communication, sign language, equipment, transportation, etc.

· Competencies to effectively plan for and reach people with disabilities in an emergency event.

· ADA regulations, shelter access, and transportation needs for people with disabilities in emergency events.

· Serve as a resource within the state by providing technical assistance (e.g., advice, consultation, presentation, tools, training, assessments and materials).

Goal: Effectively Monitor and Evaluate Program Activities

Target: Complete a program monitoring and evaluation plan within 90 days of award.

Activities:

· Develop a core evaluation plan that will measure and monitor program outputs and outcomes, long-term feasibility and effectiveness.

· Assess significant changes in prevalence, utilization, quality of life indicators, health equity (disparity) standards, and program effectiveness in the state.

· Participate in a process to determine common evaluation criteria for the “Improving the Health of People with Disabilities through State Based Public Health Program”.

· Annually submit a report outlining program achievements

· Develop a logic model that graphically displays the program activities and intended outcomes. The logic model should be used to define inputs which would depict necessary resources, activities (programs, processes), outputs (interventions/messaging) and outcomes (the results, long-term consequences).

In a cooperative agreement, CDC staff is substantially involved in the program activities, above and beyond routine grant monitoring.

CDC Activities

· Provide scientific, surveillance, programmatic and evaluative technical information/assistance on program goals and objectives, planning, implementation, data analysis and policy initiatives related to the program.

· In conjunction with states and other partners, develop and implement a health-related disability scorecard outlining health determinants in each state to identify gaps and help prioritize resources. Produce and disseminate the scorecard every two years.

· Increase dissemination and promote use of disability related guidance and technical packages aimed at making mainstream health promotion programs accessible to people with disabilities (i.e. Inclusion Toolkits, Disability and Public Health Competencies, Right to Know Campaign).

· Collaborate with CDC offices (e.g. Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response) to incorporate people with disabilities into existing public health programs and program planning activities.

· Determine common evaluation criteria in conjunction with funded grantees.

II. AWARD INFORMATION

Type of Award: Cooperative Agreement. CDC substantial involvement in this program appears in the Activities Section above.

Award Mechanism: U59 Disabilities Prevention Cooperative Agreement Program Fiscal Year Funds: FY 2012 Approximate Current Fiscal Year Funding: $ 4,800,000

Approximate Total Project Period Funding: $14,400,000 (This amount is an estimate, and is subject to availability of funds.) This includes direct and indirect costs.

Approximate Number of Awards: 16-20 Approximate Average Award: $ 300,000 (This amount is for the first 12-month budget period, and includes both direct and indirect costs.)

Floor of Individual Award Range: $200,000

Ceiling of Individual Award Range: $ 300,000 (This ceiling is for the first 12-month budget period.) This includes direct and indirect costs.

Anticipated Award Date: June 1, 2012 Budget Period Length: 1 year Project Period Length: 3 years Throughout the project period, CDC’s commitment to continuation of awards will be conditioned on the availability of funds, evidence of satisfactory progress by the recipient (as documented in required reports), and the determination that continued funding is in the best interest of the Federal government.

III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

Eligible Applicants Eligible applicants that can apply for this funding opportunity are listed below:

· State governmental agencies, their bona fide agent, or their equivalent, as designated by the Governor, Health Officer, or other state executive as the official applicant for this program (hereafter referred to as “State”) are uniquely positioned to address the public health needs of their respective states. The activities necessary to meet the objectives of this FOA are the inherent responsibility of the State.

The data collection and subsequent use of the data (due to the proprietary nature of the data) needed to meet the stated objectives can only be carried out by the State; e.g. only the State can use the data to increase capacity and infrastructure within the State; only the State can collect data regarding State health promotion programs and inclusion of people with disabilities in those programs; only the State can provide trainings for State emergency preparedness exercises. This FOA state-based objectives, specifically, increasing capacity and infrastructure of the disability program within the State, improving health care access for people with disabilities in public health clinical settings, increasing the inclusion of people with disabilities in State-based health promotion programs and increasing the training of emergency responders at the State and local level in addressing the needs of people with disabilities in the event of an emergency; the States or their bona fide agents are, as previously stated, are uniquely positioned to address these objectives, as these targeted programs and facilities are within the domain of the State. The FOA continues programmatic efforts to reduce and eliminate health disparities, and improve emergency preparedness for people with disabilities within the awarded State. The FOA continues State-based surveillance, assessment and evaluation efforts to measure the public health impact of these State disability programs.

A Bona Fide Agent is an agency/organization identified by the state as eligible to submit an application under the state eligibility in lieu of a state application. If applying as a bona fide agent of a state or local government, a legal, binding agreement from the state or local government as documentation of the status is required. Attach with “Other Attachment Forms” when submitting via www.grants.gov.

Required Registrations

Registering your organization through www.Grants.gov, the official agency-wide E-grant website, is the first step in submitting an application online. Registration information is located on the “Get Registered” screen of www.Grants.gov. Please visit www.Grants.gov at least 30 days prior to submitting your application to familiarize yourself with the registration and submission processes. The “one-time” registration process will take three to five days to complete. However, the Grants.gov registration process also requires that you register your organization with the Central Contractor Registry (CCR) and DUN and Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) which will require up to at least 4 weeks to complete registration in its entirety. The CCR registration can require an additional two weeks to complete. You are required to maintain a current registration in CCR. CCR registration must be renewed annually.

Central Contractor Registration and Universal Identifier Requirements All applicant organizations must obtain a DUN and Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number as the Universal Identifier when applying for Federal grants or cooperative agreements. The DUNS number is a nine-digit number assigned by Dun and Bradstreet Information Services. An Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) should be consulted to determine the appropriate number. If the organization does not have a DUNS number, an AOR should complete the US D&B D-U-N-S Number Request Form or contact Dun and Bradstreet by telephone directly at 1-866-705-5711 (toll-free) to obtain one. A DUNS number will be provided immediately by telephone at no charge. Note this is an organizational number. Individual Program Directors/Principal Investigators do not need to register for a DUNS number.

Additionally, all applicant organizations must register in the Central Contractor Registry (CCR) and maintain the registration with current information at all times during which it has an application under consideration for funding by CDC and, if an award is made, until a final financial report is submitted or the final payment is received, whichever is later. CCR is the primary registrant database for the Federal government and is the repository into which an entity must provide information required for the conduct of business as a recipient. Additional information about registration procedures may be found at the CCR internet site at www.ccr.gov.

If an award is granted, the grantee organization must notify potential sub-recipients that no organization may receive a sub award under the grant unless the organization has provided its DUNS number to the grantee organization.

Cost Sharing or Matching

Cost sharing or matching funds are not required for this program.

Note: Title 2 of the United States Code Section 1611 states that an organization described in Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code that engages in lobbying activities is not eligible to receive Federal funds constituting a grant, loan, or an award.

Maintenance of Effort

Maintenance of Effort is not required for this program IV. Application and Submission Information Submission Dates and Times This announcement is the definitive guide on LOI and application content, submission, and deadline. It supersedes information provided in the application instructions. If the application submission does not meet the deadline published herein, it will not be eligible for review and the applicant will be notified the application did not meet the submission requirements. One application per organization will be accepted.

Letter of Intent (LOI) Deadline Date: March 13, 2012 Application Deadline Date: April 27, 2012, 11:59pm U.S. Eastern Standard Time.

Applicants must download the SF424 application package associated with this funding opportunity from Grants.gov. If access to the Internet is not available or if the applicant encounters difficulty in accessing the forms on-line, contact the HHS/CDC Procurement and Grant Office Technical Information Management Section (PGO TIMS) staff at (770) 488-2700 email:pgotim@cdc.gov Monday-Friday 7:00am – 4:30pm U.S. Eastern Standard Time for further instruction. CDC Telecommunications for the hearing impaired or disabled is available at: TTY 1-888-232-6348.

If the applicant encounters technical difficulties with Grants.gov, the applicant should contact Grants.gov Customer Service. The Grants.gov Contact Center is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with the exception of all Federal Holidays. The Contact Center provides customer service to the applicant community. The extended hours will provide applicants support around the clock, ensuring the best possible customer service is received any time it’s needed. You can reach the Grants.gov Support Center at 1-800-518-4726 or by email at support@grants.gov. Submissions sent by e-mail, fax, CD’s or thumb drives of applications will not be accepted.

Content and Form of Application Submission

Unless specifically indicated, this announcement requires submission of the following information:

· Table of contents

Print, scan and upload as an additional attachment into the application package.

Letter of Intent (LOI):

Prospective applicants are encouraged to submit a letter of intent that includes the following information:

· Descriptive title of proposed project.

· Name, address, and telephone number of the Principal Investigator/Project Director.

· Names of other key personnel.

· Participating institutions.

· Number and title of this funding opportunity.

LOI Submission Address: Submit the LOI by E-mail to:

Jacqui Butler, MPA

CDC/NCBDDD/DHDD

1600 Clifton Road, MS E88

404.498.0274 404.498.3060 jabutler@cdc.gov Although a letter of intent is not required, is not binding, and does not enter into the review of a subsequent application, the information that it contains allows CDC Program staff to estimate and plan the review of submitted applications.

Requested LOIs should be provided not later than by the date indicated in the Section I entitled “Authorization and Intent”.

Note: (Limit file names to 50 characters and do not use special characters (example: &, -,*,%,/,#) including periods (.), blank spaces and accent marks, within application form fields and file attachment names. An underscore (_) may be used to separate a file name. Also, do not attach multiple documents with the same file name.) Please do not Cut&paste information into any fields within the application package all information must be typed.

A Project Abstract must be completed in the Grants.gov application forms. The Project Abstract must contain a summary of the proposed activity suitable for dissemination to the public. It should be a self-contained description of the project and should contain a statement of objectives and methods to be employed. It should be informative to other persons working in the same or related fields and insofar as possible understandable to a technically literate lay reader. This abstract must not include any proprietary/confidential information.

A Project Narrative must be submitted with the application forms. The project narrative must be uploaded in a PDF file format when submitting via Grants.gov. The narrative must be submitted in the following format:

· Maximum number of pages: 35 If your narrative exceeds the page limit, only the first pages which are within the page limit will be reviewed.

· Font size: 12 point unreduced, Times New Roman

· Double spaced

· Page margin size: One inch

· Number all narrative pages; not to exceed the maximum number of pages.

The narrative should address activities to be conducted over the entire project period and must include the following items in the order listed:

· Understanding and need,

· collaboration,

· Management and Staffing,

· Program Work Plan and Performance Measures,

· Methods and Timeline.

· The budget and budget justification will be included as a separate attachment, not to be counted in the narrative page limit.

Additional information may be included in the application appendices. The appendices will not be counted toward the narrative page limit. This additional information includes:

· Curriculum Vitae,

· Resumes,

· Organizational Charts,

· Letters of Support, etc.

Additional information submitted via Grants.gov should be uploaded in a PDF file format, and should be named:

· “Other Attachments Forms” to be titled/named when uploaded under Mandatory Documents into Grants.gov (e.g., Curriculum vitae, Letters of Support, Indirect Cost Rate Agreement, etc.).

No more than 20 electronic should be uploaded per application.

Additional requirements for additional documentation with the application are listed in Section VII. Award Administration Information, subsection entitled “Administrative and National Policy Requirements.”

Funding Restrictions

Restrictions, which must be taken into account while writing the budget, are as follows:

· Recipients may not use funds for research.

· Recipients may not use funds for clinical care.

· Recipients may only expend funds for reasonable program purposes, including personnel, travel, supplies, and services, such as contractual.

· Awardees may not generally use HHS/CDC/ATSDR funding for the purchase of furniture or equipment. Any such proposed spending must be identified in the budget.

· The direct and primary recipient in a cooperative agreement program must perform a substantial role in carrying out project objectives and not merely serve as a conduit for an award to another party or provider who is ineligible.

· Reimbursement of pre-award costs is not allowed.

Additional Submission Requirements Electronic Submission Submit the application electronically by using the forms and instructions posted for this funding opportunity on www.Grants.gov. If access to the Internet is not available or if the applicant encounters difficulty in accessing the forms on-line, contact the HHS/CDC, Procurement and Grant Office, Technical Information Management Section (PGO TIMS) staff at (770) 488-2700 Email:pgotim@cdc.gov Monday-Friday 7:30am -4:30pm for further instruction.

Note: Application submission is not concluded until successful completion of the validation process. After submission of your application package, applicants will receive a “submission receipt” email generated by Grants.gov. Grants.gov will then generate a second e-mail message to applicants which will either validate or reject their submitted application package. This validation process may take as long as two (2) business days. Applicants are strongly encouraged to check the status of their application to ensure submission of their application package is complete and no submission errors exists. To guarantee that you comply with the application deadline published in the Funding Opportunity Announcement, applicants are also strongly encouraged to allocate additional days prior to the published deadline to file their application. Non-validated applications will not be accepted after the published application deadline date.

In the event that you do not receive a “validation” email within two (2) business days of application submission, please contact Grants.gov. Refer to the email message generated at the time of application submission for instructions on how to track your application or the Application User Guide, Version 3.0 page 57.

Applications must be submitted electronically at www.Grants.gov. Electronic applications will be considered as having met the deadline if the application has been successfully made available to CDC for processing from Grants.gov on the deadline date. The application package can be downloaded from www.Grants.gov. Applicants can complete the application package off-line, and then upload and submit the application via the Grants.gov Web site. The applicant must submit all application attachments using a PDF file format when submitting via Grants.gov. Directions for creating PDF files can be found on the Grants.gov Web site. Use of file formats other than PDF may result in the file being unreadable by staff.

Applications submitted through Grants.gov (http://www.grants.gov), are electronically time/date stamped and assigned a tracking number. The AOR will receive an e-mail notice of receipt when Grants.gov receives the application. The tracking number serves to document submission and initiate the electronic validation process before the application is made available to CDC for processing.

If the applicant encounters technical difficulties with Grants.gov, the applicant should contact Grants.gov Customer Service. The Grants.gov Contact Center is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with the exception of all Federal Holidays. The Contact Center provides customer service to the applicant community. The extended hours will provide applicants support around the clock, ensuring the best possible customer service is received any time it’s needed. You can reach the Grants.gov Support Center at 1-800-518-4726 or by email at support@grants.gov. Submissions sent by e-mail, fax, CD’s or thumb drives of applications will not be accepted.

Organizations that encounter technical difficulties in using www.Grants.gov to submit their application must attempt to overcome those difficulties by contacting the Grants.gov Support Center (1-800-518-4726, support@grants.gov). After consulting with the Grants.gov Support Center, if the technical difficulties remain unresolved and electronic submission is not possible to meet the established deadline, organizations may submit a request prior to the application deadline by email to the GMO/GMS [See Section VII “Agency Contacts”], for permission to submit a paper application. An organization's request for permission must: (a) include the Grants.gov case number assigned to the inquiry, (b) describe the difficulties that prevented electronic submission and the efforts taken with the Grants.gov Support Center (c) be submitted to the GMO/GMS at least 3 calendar days prior to the application deadline. Paper applications submitted without prior approval will not be considered.

If a paper application is authorized, the applicant will receive instructions from PGO TIMS to submit the original and two hard copies of the application by mail or express delivery service.

Intergovernmental Review The application is subject to Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs, as governed by Executive Order (EO) 12372. This order sets up a system for state and local governmental review of proposed federal assistance applications. Contact the state single point of contact (SPOC) as early as possible to alert the SPOC to prospective applications and to receive instructions on the State’s process. Visit the following Web address to get the current SPOC list: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants_spoc/.

V. Application Review Information Eligible applicants are required to provide measures of effectiveness that will demonstrate the accomplishment of the various identified objectives of the CDC-RFA-DD-12-1204. Measures of effectiveness must relate to the performance goals stated in the “Purpose” section of this announcement. Measures of effectiveness must be objective, quantitative and measure the intended outcome of the proposed program. The measures of effectiveness must be included in the application and will be an element of the evaluation of the submitted application.

Criteria

Eligible applications will be evaluated against the following criteria:

1. Evidence of Need and Understanding of the Problem: (10 points)

a. The extent to which the applicant provides an adequate description and magnitude of disabilities within the state showing evidence of estimates of prevalence, disparities, demographic indicators, health status, severity, associated costs and effect on families and caregivers.

b. The extent to which the applicant provides a thorough description of the current health-related disability activities being conducted within the State, including those intended to maximize the health of people with disabilities.

2. Evidence of Collaboration: (10 Points)

a. The extent to which the proposed collaborations are well documented with letters of support/commitment or Memoranda of Understanding/Agreement. The extent to which support conveys specific indications as to the level of involvement and material effort to be provided in support of program objectives and describes how these collaborations will result in successful infrastructure development and program implementation.

b. The extent to which the applicant adequately describes the proposed or existing advisory function, including evidence of representation of people with disabilities and their role and capacity to influence State-level policy.

c. The extent to which the applicant describes the DCPG role. The extent to which the DCPG will be committed to participating actively in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the state-based disability and health (DH) program. The extent to which the DCPG’s role includes mobilizing support and partnerships and providing insight on the effectiveness of existing state policies related to disability.

3. Management/Staffing Plan: (10 points)

a. The extent to which the applicant provides adequate descriptions of key staff responsibilities addressing proposed major activities.

b. The extent to which key staff have experience and training in disability, public health, policy, communications, epidemiology and evaluation.

c. The extent to which the organizational placement of the project assures optimal visibility and influence based on evidence provided by applicant agency leadership.

d. The extent to which the applicant addresses how it will assure and achieve integration of health-related disability functions as an integral component of applicant/health agency services and operations.

e. The extent to which the application conveys the epidemiologic capacity and structure in place to coordinate and facilitate disability-related data collection, analysis, interpretation, reporting, and dissemination.

f. The extent to which the applicant adequately describes experience with accessing Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data and other state data sources and how such data is currently, or will be utilized.

4. Program Work Plan: (13 Points)

a. The extent to which the formal work plan includes a clear and concise presentation of project goals and objectives which are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-referenced (SMART).

b. The extent to which milestones represent a logical and realistic plan of action for timely and successful achievement of outcome objectives

c. The extent to which the applicant effectively documents its plan to provide technical assistance within the state, education and training, and health promotion programs. The extent to which the applicant included a plan to monitor the requests for information and conduct follow-up to ascertain the outcome of any assistance provided.

d. The extent to which proposed strategies are integrated into a comprehensive strategic plan that will address the health needs of people with disabilities in the state by 2015.

e. The extent to which the work plan includes a sustainability plan.

5. Capacity to increase health promotion opportunities for people with disabilities (15 points)

a. The extent to which the applicant demonstrates ability to identify and provide health education/training that focuses on maximizing the health of people with disabilities to state agencies.

b. The extent to which the applicant demonstrates ability to identify and provide health education/information materials for people with disabilities that focus on maximizing the health of people with disabilities.

c. The extent to which the applicant demonstrates the ability to conduct demonstration projects to increase state-wide participation in health promotion programs reaching people within specific categories of disabilities such as: mobility, cognitive, visual or auditory limitations

d. The extent to which the applicant provides a plan of providing technical assistance.

e. The extent to which the applicant included a plan and evidence of their ability to serve as a resource within the state by providing technical assistance (e.g., advice, consultation, presentation, tools, training, assessments and materials).

6. Capacity to improve emergency preparedness for people with disabilities (15 points)

a. The extent to which the applicant identifies specific mechanisms and objectives to meet the goal of improving emergency preparedness for people with disabilities.

b. The extent to which the applicant demonstrates ability to implement emergency planning initiatives to target populations.

c. The extent to which the applicant proposes appropriate methods and activities to incorporate people with disabilities in emergency plans, train first responders, and to disseminate information for people with disabilities consistent with the program requirements for emergency preparedness.

d. The extent to which the applicant provides evidence of collaborations with other disability programs or emergency planning organizations in or out of the applicant’s organization.

e. The extent to which the applicant included a plan and evidence of their ability to serve as a resource within the state by providing technical assistance (e.g., advice, consultation, presentation, tools, training, assessments and materials).

7. Capacity to Promote Access to Health Care for People with Disabilities (15 points)

a. The extent to which the applicant identifies specific approaches to improve access to health services or make local programs, services, or environments accessible to people with disabilities.

b. The extent to which the applicant demonstrates the ability to facilitate improvements in health care access for people with disabilities.

c. The extent to which the applicant identifies and provides a plan for implementing training programs that would improve health care access for people with disabilities.

d. The extent to which the applicant provided a process to identify, prioritize and assess health care facilities that provide preventive and primary health care to medically underserved populations.

e. The extent to which the applicant provided a plan to promote increased physical accessibility to health care facilities that provide preventive and primary health care to medically underserved populations.

f. The extent to which the applicant provided a profile of the state’s health care facilities and programs and accessibility issues related to them.

g. The extent to which the applicant included a plan and evidence of their ability to serve as a resource within the state by providing technical assistance (e.g., advice, consultation, presentation, tools, training, assessments and materials).

8. Program Evaluation: (12 Points)

a. The extent to which the applicant presents an appropriate and viable plan to evaluate all program activities listed in the funding opportunity announcement; including the design, methods (quantitative methods as well as qualitative approaches such as non-research focus groups), partners, and processes to be followed for conducting program evaluation.

b. The extent to which the applicant adequately outlines the methods and process by which it will evaluate its performance towards meeting all specified time-phased objectives.

Budget (SF 424A) and Budget Narrative (Reviewed, but not scored)] Although the budget is not scored applicants should consider the following in development of their budget. Is the itemized budget for conducting the project, and justification reasonable and consistent with stated objectives and planned program activities?

If the applicants requests indirect costs in the budget, a copy of the indirect cost rate agreement is required. If the indirect cost rate is a provisional rate, the agreement should be less than 12 months of age. The indirect cost rate agreement should be uploaded as a PDF file with “Other Attachment Forms” when submitting via Grants.gov. [If the announcement is only open to international applicants, delete the above paragraph - indirect cost language is not included in the international use of funds language.]

The applicant can obtain guidance for completing a detailed justified budget on the CDC website, at the following Internet address:

http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/budgetguide.htm.

Review and…