NOFO HRSA-23-088 (U98) State Governance 6_6_23 (clean).pdf

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

NOTICE OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

Fiscal Year 2023

Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs

Office of External Affairs

National Organizations of State and Local Officials:

State Governance

Funding Opportunity Number: HRSA-23-088

Funding Opportunity Type(s): Competing Continuation, New

Assistance Listings Number: 93.011

Application Due Date: July 6, 2023 Ensure your SAM.gov and Grants.gov registrations and passwords are current immediately!

HRSA will not approve deadline extensions for lack of registration.

Registration in all systems may take up to 1 month to complete.

Issuance Date: June 6, 2023

Kellie J. Cosby Public Health Analyst, Office of External Affairs Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs Phone: (301) 443-8997 Email: kcosby@hrsa.gov

See Section VII for a complete list of agency contacts.

Authority: Section 311(a) of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act (42 U.S.C. §243(a)) mailto:drab@hrsa.gov https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2011-title42/html/USCODE-2011-title42-chap6A-subchapII-partB-sec243.htm

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508 COMPLIANCE DISCLAIMER

Note: Persons using assistive technology may not be able to fully access information in this file. For assistance, email or call one of the HRSA staff listed in Section VII. Agency Contacts.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is accepting applications for the fiscal year (FY) 2023 National Organizations of State and Local Officials (NOSLO) Program: State Governance.

The purpose of the NOSLO program is to assist state and local authorities in a) improving public health, health care and health care delivery, b) building capacity to address public health issues and support and enforce regulations intended to improve the public’s health, and c) promoting health equity to preserve and improve public health.

The NOSLO: State Governance cooperative agreement identifies or develops and implements solutions to the public health challenges governors face in their state systems by leveraging HRSA investments. This work will support the development of innovative state public health activities that improve access to quality health care for people who are medically and economically vulnerable, with a special emphasis on under and uninsured populations, maternal health disparities, people with unmet behavioral health needs, including youth, justice involved populations, and other vulnerable people.

Funding Opportunity Title: National Organizations of State and Local Officials: State Governance

Funding Opportunity Number: HRSA-23-088

Due Date for Applications: July 6, 2023

Anticipated FY 2023 Total Available Funding:

Up to $500,000

Estimated Number and Type of Award(s): One cooperative agreement

Estimated Annual Award Amount: Award amount: Up to $500,000 per year, subject to the availability of appropriated funds. If additional funds become available, budgets will increase to a higher amount.

http://www.hrsa.gov/

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Cost Sharing/Match Required: No

Period of Performance: September 30, 2023, through September 29, 2026 (3 years)

Eligible Applicants: Eligible applicants include domestic public or private, non-profit or for-profit entities, including community-based organizations, tribes, and tribal organizations. See Section III.1 of this notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) for complete eligibility information.

Application Guide You (the applicant organization/agency) are responsible for reading and complying with the instructions included in this NOFO and in HRSA’s SF-424 Application Guide. Visit HRSA’s How to Prepare Your Application page for more information.

Technical Assistance

HRSA has scheduled the following webinar:

Tuesday, June 13, 2023

1 p.m. – 2 p.m. ET https://hrsa-gov.zoomgov.com/j/1619008122?pwd=TkVzbGNvWVRvQ0VrSmp2MEhsbVlIUT09

Attendees without computer access or computer audio can use the dial-in information below.

Call-In Number: 833-568-8864

Meeting ID: 161 900 8122 Passcode: 32052975

HRSA will record the webinar. For a recording of the webinar, please email hrsaieaexternalaffairs@hrsa.gov http://www.hrsa.gov/grants/apply/applicationguide/sf424guide.pdf https://www.hrsa.gov/grants/apply-for-a-grant/prepare-your-application https://hrsa-gov.zoomgov.com/j/1619008122?pwd=TkVzbGNvWVRvQ0VrSmp2MEhsbVlIUT09 https://hrsa-gov.zoomgov.com/j/1619008122?pwd=TkVzbGNvWVRvQ0VrSmp2MEhsbVlIUT09 mailto:hrsaieaexternalaffairs@hrsa.gov

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Table of Contents

I. PROGRAM FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

1. PURPOSE

2. BACKGROUND

II. AWARD INFORMATION

1. TYPE OF APPLICATION AND AWARD

2. SUMMARY OF FUNDING

III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

1. ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

2. COST SHARING/MATCHING

3. OTHER

IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

1. ADDRESS TO REQUEST APPLICATION PACKAGE

2. CONTENT AND FORM OF APPLICATION SUBMISSION

i. Project Abstract

ii. Project Narrative

iii. Budget

iv. Budget Narrative

v. Attachments

3. UNIQUE ENTITY IDENTIFIER (UEI) AND SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT (SAM)

4. SUBMISSION DATES AND TIMES

5. INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVIEW

6. FUNDING RESTRICTIONS

V. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

1. REVIEW CRITERIA

2. REVIEW AND SELECTION PROCESS

3. ASSESSMENT OF RISK

VI. AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

1. AWARD NOTICES

2. ADMINISTRATIVE AND NATIONAL POLICY REQUIREMENTS

3. REPORTING

VII. AGENCY CONTACTS

VIII. OTHER INFORMATION

APPENDIX A: NOSLO PROGRAM APPLICATION TRACKS

APPENDIX B: NOSLO PROGRAM PERFORMANCE MEASURES

APPENDIX C: NOSLO PROJECT WORK PLAN MATRIX TEMPLATE

APPENDIX D: PAGE LIMIT WORKSHEET

HRSA-23-088 1

I. Program Funding Opportunity Description

1. Purpose

This notice announces the opportunity to apply for funding under the National Organizations of State and Local Officials (NOSLO) Program: State Governance to fund a national level organization with an in-depth understanding of, and experience with, providing technical assistance and support to state and territorial governors and their policy advisors.

The purpose of the NOSLO program is to assist state and local authorities in a) improving public health, health care and health care delivery, b) building capacity to address public health issues and support and enforce regulations intended to improve the public’s health, and c) promoting health equity to preserve and improve public health. To fulfill the purpose, the NOSLO program has the following objectives: 1) facilitate communication and data/information-sharing between HRSA and state, territorial, and/or local officials, 2) improve understanding of state, territorial, and/or local needs, priorities, and perspectives, and 3) support capacity-building activities at the state, territorial, and/or local levels that strengthen the health care safety net and advance public health goals. The term “capacity-building” includes actions that build, strengthen, and maintain the necessary competencies and resources to improve health services delivery to people who are geographically isolated and/or economically or medically vulnerable.

The NOSLO: State Governance cooperative agreement identifies or develops and implements solutions to the public health challenges governors face in their state systems by leveraging HRSA investments. This work will support the development of innovative state public health activities that improve access to quality health care for people who are medically and economically vulnerable, with a special emphasis on under and uninsured populations, maternal health disparities, people with unmet behavioral health needs, including youth, justice involved populations, and other vulnerable people. The successful recipient is expected to provide tailored technical assistance to state and territorial governors and their policy advisors to address HRSA’s priorities through:

• Communication and information sharing between HRSA and state and territorial governors and their policy advisors, and

• Training; data collection, sharing, and analysis; publication development;

convenings, (e.g., learning exchanges on priority topics); and other activities that enable state and territorial governors and their policy advisors to operate in a responsive, coordinated, and effective manner.

Program Objectives

• Engage state and territorial governors and their policy advisors to develop detailed implementation plans for policy initiatives that will improve access to quality health care for their highest-need populations that intersect with HRSA

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programs. Where feasible, these initiatives can be shared across multiple states to achieve a nationwide impact.

• Implement technical assistance activities and tools for innovative solutions to address public health challenges and share best practices that will improve access to quality health care to address the following: people who are medically and economically vulnerable, with a special emphasis on under and uninsured populations, maternal health disparities, people with unmet behavioral health needs, including youth, justice involved populations, and other vulnerable people.

For more details, see Program Requirements and Expectations.

2. Background

The NOSLO Program

The NOSLO program is authorized by Section 311(a) of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act (42 U.S.C. §243(a)). This program has five funding tracks: 1) State and Local Public Health Systems, 2) State Health Legislative Education, 3) Health Policy Innovation, 4) State Health Services and Financing, and 5) State Governance. See Appendix A for detailed descriptions of the five tracks.

State Governance Track

HRSA’s mission is to expand access to quality services, a skilled health workforce, and innovative, high-value programs. HRSA provides equitable health care to the nation’s highest-need communities, serving over 30 million people in historically underserved communities and reaching more than 1,500 rural counties and municipalities across the country. HRSA also leads health workforce development and training programs that connect skilled health care providers to communities in need and increasingly funds training for primary care physicians, pediatricians, and others to address mental health and substance use disorder. HRSA maternal and child health programs are actively addressing the maternal health crisis through innovative programs such as the 24/7 Maternal Mental Health Hotline.

State and territorial governors and their policy advisors have a unique understanding of the pressing public health issues facing their highest-need communities. The NOSLO:

State Governance track award recipient facilitates a relationship between HRSA and key stakeholders.

Highly qualified applicants include national organizations that are knowledgeable about state and territorial governors and their policy advisors’ needs, have a history of successfully building the capacity of state and territorial governors and their policy advisors to preserve and improve health care services and public health, have existing communication platforms with a national reach, and have expertise and resources relevant to HRSA’s mission.

National organizations that represent state and territorial officials are uniquely positioned to respond to urgent and emergent public health needs, disseminate https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2011-title42/html/USCODE-2011-title42-chap6A-subchapII-partB-sec243.htm https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2011-title42/html/USCODE-2011-title42-chap6A-subchapII-partB-sec243.htm

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promising practices, and identify challenges in the state, territorial, and local policy landscape that require attention.

NOSLO: State Governance Track Performance Measures See Appendix B for the list of measures that HRSA will use to evaluate program performance.

II. Award Information

1. Type of Application and Award

Type(s) of applications sought: Competing Continuation, New

HRSA will provide funding in the form of a cooperative agreement. A cooperative agreement is a financial assistance mechanism where HRSA anticipates substantial involvement with the recipient during the performance of the contemplated project.

In addition to the usual monitoring and technical assistance (TA) provided directly to the award recipient, HRSA program involvement will include:

• Collaborate with the award recipient to refine the Project Work Plan to address shared HRSA and state governance priorities and changes in the nation’s health care landscape.

• Review and support the development of key reports and other activities (i.e. data collection), including review of the publication plan and approval of reports and other specialized materials for general distribution prior to their publication.

• Monitor and support implementation of the Project Work Plan through collaborative meetings, monthly calls, quarterly and annual meetings, and progress report reviews.

• Coordinate efforts with the award recipient to identify and support collaboration across other NOSLO tracks and, if applicable, other relevant national, state, and/or local stakeholder organizations and similar HRSA programs as appropriate.

In addition to adhering to all applicable federal regulations and public policy requirements, the cooperative agreement recipient’s responsibilities will include:

• Using the work plan matrix template provided in Appendix C, collaborate with the HRSA Project Officer on updating and implementing the Project Work Plan based on HRSA-identified priorities and changes in the health care landscape (e.g., the public health emergency unwinding).

• Participate in meetings, monthly calls, and progress report reviews to support the successful implementation of the Project Work Plan.

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• Notify and collaborate with HRSA to update the Project Work Plan regularly; and remain flexible and responsive to emerging and other health issues.(e.g., to revise current objectives or activities or establish new objectives or activities as needed).

• Collaborate with other NOSLO track award recipients, other relevant national, state, and/or local stakeholder organizations when requested, and coordinate with the HRSA Project Officers to collaborate with similar HRSA programs as appropriate.

• Consult with the HRSA Project Officer on dates for convenings or conferences that pertain to the scope of work.

• Plan for HRSA leadership and staff to participate in NOSLO: State Governance-funded-convenings, and other relevant events and conferences.

2. Summary of Funding

HRSA estimates $500,000 to be available annually to fund one recipient. Work plans and budgets should be targeted to this level. You may apply for a ceiling of up to $500,000 annually (reflecting direct and indirect costs) per year. If additional funds become available budgets will increase to a higher range. This program notice is subject to the appropriation of funds and is a contingency action taken to ensure that, should funds become available for this purpose, HRSA can process applications and award funds appropriately.

The period of performance is September 30, 2023 through September 29, 2026 (3 years). Funding beyond the first year is subject to the availability of appropriated funds for NOSLO: State Governance in subsequent fiscal years, satisfactory progress, and a decision that continued funding is in the best interest of the Federal Government.

Note: Additional funding may become available at HRSA’s discretion, but this is not guaranteed. Recipients may request supplemental funding at any point in their period of performance to address unique activities that are connected to, but not duplicative of, the funded scope of work. HRSA may choose to support such supplemental projects if funding is available and allocable, the request is reasonable and allowable, sufficient time remains in the budget period to approve the request, and the activities are aligned with HRSA priorities and are not duplicative of work performed by HRSA or other HRSA-funded recipients.

HRSA may reduce or take other enforcement actions regarding recipient funding levels beyond the first year if the applicant is unsuccessful in the completion of the goals listed in the application.

All HRSA awards are subject to the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements at 45 CFR part 75.

http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp=1&SID=4d52364ec83fab994c665943dadf9cf7&ty=HTML&h=L&r=PART&n=pt45.1.75

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III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants include domestic public or private, non-profit or for-profit entities, including community-based organizations, Tribes, and tribal organizations.

2. Cost Sharing/Matching

Cost sharing/matching is not required for this program.

3. Other

HRSA may not consider an application for funding if it contains any of the non-responsive criteria below:

• Exceeds the funding ceiling amount

• Fails to satisfy the deadline requirements referenced in Section IV.4

NOTE: Multiple applications from an organization for NOSLO: State Governance are not allowed.

NOTE: Organizations may apply for multiple NOSLO Program application tracks. You must submit each application separately, and under the correct opportunity number.

NOTE: While you may apply for multiple NOSLO Program application tracks, no organization will receive more than one NOSLO award.

If for any reason (including submitting to the wrong funding opportunity number or making corrections/updates) an application is submitted more than once prior to the application due date, HRSA will only accept and review your last validated electronic submission under the correct funding opportunity number before the Grants.gov application due date.

IV. Application and Submission Information

1. Address to Request Application Package

HRSA requires you to apply electronically. HRSA encourages you to apply through Grants.gov using the SF-424 workspace application package associated with this notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) following the directions provided at Grants.gov: HOW TO APPLY FOR GRANTS. If you use an alternative electronic submission, see Grants.gov:

APPLICANT SYSTEM-TO-SYSTEM.

The NOFO is also known as “Instructions” on Grants.gov. You must select “Subscribe” and provide your email address for HRSA-23-088 in order to receive notifications including modifications, clarifications, and/or republications of the NOFO on Grants.gov.

https://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/applicants/apply-for-grants.html http://www.grants.gov/applicants/apply-for-grants.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/s2s/applicant-system-to-system.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/s2s/applicant-system-to-system.html

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You will also receive notifications of documents placed in the RELATED DOCUMENTS tab on Grants.gov that may affect the NOFO and your application. You are ultimately responsible for reviewing the For Applicants page for all information relevant to this

NOFO.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

Application Format Requirements Section 4 of HRSA’s SF-424 Application Guide provides general instructions for the budget, budget narrative, staffing plan and personnel requirements, assurances, and certifications. You must submit the information outlined in HRSA SF-424 Application Guide in addition to the program-specific information below. You are responsible for reading and complying with the instructions included in this NOFO and HRSA’s SF-424 Application Guide. You must submit the application in the English language and budget figures expressed in U.S. dollars (45 CFR § 75.111(a)).

See Section 8.5 of the HRSA SF-424 Application Guide for the Application Completeness Checklist to assist you in completing your application.

Application Page Limit The total number of pages that count toward the page limit shall be no more than 60 pages when we print them. HRSA will not review any pages that exceed the page limit. Using the pages within the page limit, HRSA will determine eligibility using Section III. Eligibility Information of the NOFO.

These attachments don’t count toward the page limit:

• Standard OMB-approved forms you find in the NOFO’s workspace application package

• Abstract (standard form (SF) "Project Abstract Summary”)

• Indirect Cost Rate Agreement

• Proof of non-profit status (if it applies)

If there are other attachments that don’t count toward the page limit, we’ll make this clear in Section IV.2.v Attachments.

If you use an OMB-approved form that isn’t in the HRSA-23-088 workspace application package, it may count toward the page limit. We recommend you only use Grants.gov workspace forms related with this NOFO to avoid going over the page limit.

Applications must be complete and validated by Grants.gov under HRSA-23-088 before the deadline.

Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility, and Voluntary Exclusion Certification

1) You certify on behalf of the applicant organization, by submission of your proposal, that neither you nor your principals are presently debarred, suspended, https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants.html http://www.hrsa.gov/grants/apply/applicationguide/sf424guide.pdf http://www.hrsa.gov/grants/apply/applicationguide/sf424guide.pdf

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proposed for debarment, declared ineligible, or voluntarily excluded from participation in this transaction by any federal department or agency.

2) Failure to make required disclosures can result in any of the remedies described in 45 CFR § 75.371, including suspension or debarment. (See also 2 CFR parts 180 and 376, and 31 U.S.C. § 3354).

3) If you are unable to attest to the statements in this certification, you must include an explanation in Attachment 9-15: Other Relevant Documents.

See Section 4.1 viii of HRSA’s SF-424 Application Guide for additional information on all certifications.

Program Requirements and Expectations HRSA expects that the award recipient funded under this notice will have the following:

• Expertise and experience at both the national and state levels.

• Organizational capacity to establish a relationship between HRSA and state and territorial governors and their policy advisors.

• Expertise in providing capacity-building support including a history of successfully building the capacity of state and territorial governors and their policy advisors to preserve and improve public health.

• Experience building relationships with and have knowledge of the needs of state and territorial governors and their policy advisors.

• Comprehensive understanding of the health services and public health landscape to effectively respond to emergent issues and trends.

The award recipient should address the three-year project period. The recipient may propose multi-year activities or new activities each year of the project. By the end of Year 1, the successful award recipient is expected to have:

• Developed an outreach strategy with HRSA’s input, to determine which states will participate;

• Convened state and territorial governors and their policy advisors, HRSA and local stakeholder organizations to select project priorities that will improve access to quality health care for the populations HRSA serves and are responsive to states’ needs and priorities; and

• Developed and implemented technical assistance plans that include convenings and products that address the states’ needs related to improved access to quality health care for their highest need communities.

Core Activities NOSLO: State Governance is designed to be flexible and address the priorities and areas of intersection between HRSA and state and territorial governors and their policy https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp=1&SID=4d52364ec83fab994c665943dadf9cf7&ty=HTML&h=L&r=PART&n=pt45.1.75#se45.1.75_1371

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advisors. The award recipient may use the funds to establish entirely new initiatives or to build on ongoing efforts, i.e., to build on and supplement ongoing programs and activities, such as policy initiatives driven by organizational leadership and/or membership, or training programs for new state and territorial governors and their policy advisors.

The successful NOSLO: State Governance award recipient is expected to:

A. Analyze policy. Develop, implement, and evaluate policy or other initiatives related to priority topics in collaboration with participating states and HRSA;

B. Convene stakeholders. Convene state and territorial governors and their policy advisors, HRSA, and other key stakeholders at least once a year to share best practices, strategize and align efforts on work towards achieving shared goals;

C. Develop rapid responses. Respond to “Rapid Response” information requests under short timeframes on urgent topics to gain insight from the field. The award recipient is expected to dedicate 5% of the budget to responding to these ad-hoc “Rapid Response” information requests from HRSA about state and local trends and policy development of critical public health topics;

D. Provide technical assistance and product development. Provide capacity development activities and effective tools and strategies for ongoing outreach, collaborations, clear communication, and information sharing/dissemination with state and territorial governors and their policy advisors, HRSA, and public health stakeholders;

E. Plan for sustainability of products. Develop a plan to make NOSLO: State Governance capacity-building resources publicly available after the period of performance ends.

Priority Topic Selection The award recipient should select topics from the list below that will improve access to quality health care for the populations HRSA serves and are responsive to states’ needs and priorities. Where feasible, topics should reach states across the country to achieve a nationwide impact. Applicants are encouraged to address HHS and HRSA priorities as they relate to state and territorial governors and their policy advisors. As relevant, applicants are encouraged to align health equity activities with national strategies such as Healthy People, HHS Health Disparities Action Plan, HHS Strategic Plan, and the National HIV/AIDS Strategy.

The award recipient is strongly encouraged to include one or more of the following public health priorities as the focus of their projects:

• Youth mental health in school-based settings;

• Maternal mental health;

https://health.gov/healthypeople/tools-action/browse-evidence-based-resources https://aspe.hhs.gov/reports/hhs-action-plan-reduce-racial-ethnic-health-disparities-implementation-progress-report-2011-2014-0#:%7E:text=The%20HHS%20Disparities%20Action%20Plan%20is%20the%20most%20comprehensive%20federal,guide%20for%20all%20HHS%20agencies.

https://www.hhs.gov/about/strategic-plan/2022-2026/index.html https://www.hiv.gov/federal-response/national-hiv-aids-strategy/national-hiv-aids-strategy-2022-2025

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• Health care workforce including collaboration with State Workforce Development Boards, and strategies to address workforce shortages;

• Continuity of care for justice involved populations to community health care, including mental health and substance use disorder treatment;

• Other emerging priorities as identified by the applicant.

Note: Priorities for focus are anticipated to change over the course of the three-year project period.

HRSA recognizes that there are a variety of models to use when engaging with states and is, therefore, not requiring the award recipient to follow a particular model. A few examples are outlined below. This list is not meant to be comprehensive:

• Developing cross-discipline teams or affinity groups;

• Convening forums such as policy academies and learning collaboratives to engage in peer-to-peer learning and/or work through a problem;

• Developing state action plans; or

• Developing learning networks, etc.

You may propose joint projects with other applicants in your application; however, a letter of support and commitment is required from each proposed partner (Attachment 4).

Program-Specific Instructions In addition to application requirements and instructions in Section 4 of HRSA’s SF-424 Application Guide (including the budget, budget narrative, staffing plan, and personnel requirements, assurances, certifications, and abstract), include the following:

i. Project Abstract Use the Standard OMB-approved Project Abstract Summary Form that is included in the workspace application package. Do not upload the abstract as an attachment or it may count toward the page limit. For information required in the Project Abstract Summary Form, see Section 4.1.ix of HRSA’s SF-424 Application Guide.

NARRATIVE GUIDANCE

To ensure that you fully address the review criteria, the table below provides a crosswalk between the narrative language and where each section falls within the review criteria. Any forms or attachments referenced in a narrative section may be considered during the objective review.

Narrative Section *Review Criteria Introduction (1) Need and Purpose Needs Assessment (1) Need and Purpose Methodology (2) Response

(4) Impact http://www.hrsa.gov/grants/apply/applicationguide/sf424guide.pdf

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Narrative Section *Review Criteria Work Plan (2) Response

(3) Evaluative Measures

(4) Impact

(6) Support Requested

Resolution of Challenges (2) Response Evaluation and Technical Support Capacity

(3) Evaluative Measures

(4) Impact

(5) Resources/Capabilities

Organizational Information (3) Evaluative Measures

(5) Resources/Capabilities

Budget and Budget Narrative (6) Support Requested – the budget section should include sufficient justification to allow reviewers to determine the reasonableness of the support requested.

ii. Project Narrative This section provides a comprehensive description of all aspects of the proposed project. It should be succinct, self-explanatory, consistent with forms and attachments, and organized in alignment with the sections and format below so that reviewers can understand the proposed project.

Successful applications will contain the information below. Please use the following section headers for the narrative:

INTRODUCTION -- Corresponds to Section V’s Review Criterion 1 – “Need and Purpose” Briefly describe the purpose of the proposed work. Briefly discuss your organization’s target audience, your constituents’ need for capacity-building activities, your proposed response to that need, and how you will enhance collaboration and communication between HRSA and state and territorial governors and their policy advisors.

NEEDS ASSESSMENT -- Corresponds to Section V’s Review Criterion 1 – “Need and Purpose” Describe your constituents and outline their needs. Be specific and cite data to the extent possible in your response. Data used to complete this section should be from appropriate sources and reflect the most recent timeframe available. Data collected by your organization (e.g., constituent surveys, internal records) are an acceptable source, but provide details about the methodology and sample size.

Discuss how state-level policies affect access to quality health care for the population(s) your project work will address and the role your organization and your organization’s key stakeholders play in affecting state policies impacting access to quality health care for this population(s). Please discuss any relevant barriers that the project(s) hopes to overcome.

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Reach and Membership

1. Create a table (example below) that depicts the categories of officials served by your organization, the number of officials served in each category, and the percentage of officials your organization reaches in each category. For example, if your organization represents county and local health departments, provide the percentage of county and local health departments your organization serves out of the total number of county and local health departments in the U.S.

Categories of Officials Served

Total Number of Officials Served Per Category

Percentage of Population Served Per Category

Governors X X% Governors’ Health Policy Officials

X X%

Cabinet-level Health Policy Officials

X X%

Other (specify) X X%

2. Provide evidence that your organization is nonpartisan/bipartisan and has a national reach regarding relationships with and impact upon the officials discussed above.

Alignment of Constituent Needs, Organizational Expertise, and HRSA Priorities

1. Describe your target audience’s priority issues, unmet capacity-building assistance needs, and any relevant barriers to capacity-building assistance that you hope to overcome through this funding.

2. Outline and prioritize the short-term (<1 year) and medium-term (2-3 years) capacity-building needs of your target audience.

3. Identify the HRSA-related programs, key issues, and populations that are currently of the most interest to your constituents.

METHODOLOGY -- Corresponds to Section V’s Review Criterion 2 – “Response” and 4 – “Impact”

Referencing the Core Activities, use the following headings as you complete the Methodology section:

For Core Activity A (Analyze policy. Develop, implement, and evaluate policy or other initiatives related to priority topics in collaboration with participating states and HRSA), describe how you will work with participating states and HRSA to develop, implement, and evaluate policy or other initiatives related to priority topics.

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For Core Activity B (Convene stakeholders. Convene state and territorial governors and their policy advisors, HRSA, and other key stakeholders, including public and private sector organizations, at least once a year to share best practices, strategize, and align efforts on work towards achieving shared goals), describe how you would arrange a forum (e.g., as part of an annual meeting) for participants described above to share best practices, strategize, and align efforts on work towards achieving shared goals.

For Core Activity C (Develop rapid responses. Respond to “Rapid Response” information requests under short timeframes on urgent topics to gain insight from the field. The award recipient is expected to dedicate 5% of the budget to responding to these ad-hoc “Rapid Response” information requests from HRSA about state and local trends and policy development on critical public health topics), describe how you will respond to ad-hoc Rapid Response information requests from HRSA.

For Core Activity D (Provide technical assistance and product development.

Provide capacity development activities and effective tools (e.g., publications, products, tools, webinars, and other resources) and strategies for ongoing outreach, collaborations, clear communication, and information sharing/dissemination with state and territorial governors and their policy advisors, HRSA, and public health stakeholders), describe:

1. The types of capacity development activities and effective tools you would develop and disseminate to support effective implementation of the policy initiatives and best practices. Explain why you believe those strategies would be effective.

2. The tools and strategies you will use for ongoing outreach, collaborations, clear communication, and information sharing/dissemination about state needs, policies, and priority areas for state policy officials and organizations relevant to HRSA programs with HRSA and health stakeholders. Be sure to discuss any limitations you may face around information sharing.

3. How you will share information about HRSA programs and initiatives with state policy officials and organizations relevant to HRSA programs.

4. How you will create opportunities for state policy officials and organizations relevant to HRSA programs to engage with HRSA and other federal staff to align efforts on work towards achieving shared goals to strengthen the health care safety net.

For Core Activity E (Plan for sustainability of products. Develop a plan to make NOSLO: State Governance capacity-building resources publicly available after the period of performance ends), describe how you will promote sustainability of project activities so that they continue to have an impact on state policy officials and organizations relevant to HRSA programs. Also describe how you will make

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NOSLO: State Governance capacity-building resources publicly available after the period of performance ends.

WORK PLAN -- Corresponds to Section V’s Review Criterion 2 – “Response,” 3 – “Evaluative Measures,” 4 – “Impact,” and 6 – “Support Requested”

Work Plan Matrix

Submit a three-year work plan matrix (Attachment 1) for the three-year period of performance using the template provided in Appendix C. The matrix should contain the following elements for each proposed activity within the Core Activities including expected year 1 activities:

• Activity description.

• Responsible individual(s).

• Timeline (e.g., start date, milestones, completion date).

• Proposed performance measures for outputs and outcomes/impact (<1 year; at the end of the period of performance; after the period of performance).

• Proposed data source for performance measures.

• Target goals for outputs and outcomes/impact.

The Budget Narrative should reflect the strategies described in this work plan.

Work Plan Narrative

In addition to the matrix, answer the following questions in narrative form.

1. Describe how you will implement proposed activities, including how you will evolve and/or add new activities in Years 2 and 3 of the period of performance to achieve the stated milestones and target goals by the end of each year.

2. Address priority selection and project development, including outlining:

a. How you will develop a selection or outreach strategy, with HRSA’s input, to determine which states will participate on which issues and how you will follow that process to select states;

b. How you will convene state and territorial governors and their policy advisors, HRSA and key stakeholder organizations to select project priorities that will improve access to quality health care for the populations HRSA serves and are responsive to states’ needs and priorities; and

c. How you will develop and implement technical assistance plans that include convenings and products that address the states’ needs related to improved access to quality health care for their highest need communities.

3. Provide evidence of how the proposed activities address the needs identified in the “Needs Assessment” section.

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RESOLUTION OF CHALLENGES -- Corresponds to Section V’s Review Criterion 2 – “Response”

1. Describe any potential obstacles for implementing program performance evaluations and your plan to address those obstacles.

2. Discuss challenges that you are likely to encounter in designing and implementing the activities described in the work plan, and outline approaches you will use to overcome such challenges. Include current or anticipated national, state, or local initiatives that may impact milestone and target goal attainment, affect performance measurement, or result in the need to adjust planned activities.

EVALUATION AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT CAPACITY -- Corresponds to Section V’s Review Criteria 3 – “Evaluative Measures,” 4 – “Impact,” and 5 – “Resources/Capabilities”

1. Describe your 3-year plan to evaluate program performance. Be sure to discuss how your performance evaluation efforts will demonstrate how, over the period of performance, you have developed products and achieved results that would not be possible without NOSLO: State Governance funding.

Include a timeline.

2. Identify and explain your strategy to collect, analyze and track data to measure progress toward the target goals listed in the “Core Activities” section and to fulfill performance measure reporting requirements (see Appendix B).

3. Describe how you will share your evaluation results with HRSA and be responsive to HRSA’s evaluation efforts.

ORGANIZATIONAL INFORMATION -- Corresponds to Section V’s Review Criterion 3

– “Evaluative Measures” and 5 – “Resources/Capabilities”

Organizational Resources

1. Describe how your organization currently provides capacity-building assistance to support and spread best practices among state and territorial governors and their policy advisors. Demonstrate a strong history of developing and disseminating capacity-building activities to state and territorial governors and their policy advisors nationwide.

2. List the media products (e.g., publications, e-newsletters, postcards, social media platforms) your organization uses to communicate information to state and territorial governors and their policy advisors.

3. List the major meetings and events your organization typically holds for state and territorial governors and their policy advisors throughout the year, with the number of attendees per meeting/event. Indicate opportunities to

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incorporate NOSLO: State Governance activities and HRSA staff into these meetings/events.

4. List and describe the data that you collect on state and territorial governors and their policy advisors, including how you identify promising practices, needs, priorities, and relevant issues. Indicate whether the data are publicly available and, if not, whether your organization will share the data with HRSA upon request. Discuss how you can leverage this data to quickly and effectively collaborate with HRSA when urgent, emergent, and/or priority issues arise.

Organizational Structure, Staffing, and Project Management

1. Provide a brief overview of the history of your organization. Include your mission and structure (consistent with Attachment 2: Organizational Chart) and the scope of your current activities.

2. Describe how your organizational structure, including your organization’s management team (e.g., Chief Financial Officer, Project Director) and any contracts or agreements, is appropriate for the operational and oversight needs of this project.

3. Describe your organization’s financial accounting and internal control systems and how they, as well as related policies and procedures, will reflect Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.1

4. Discuss the systems and processes that will support your organization's performance management requirements, including a description of your data systems, data management software, and staff with expertise in data collection, data analysis, data reporting, and data management.

5. Provide a proposed staffing plan (consistent with Attachment 3: Staffing Plan and Job Descriptions for Key Personnel). Define all roles and demonstrate why the plan is appropriate for the number and variety of activities to be provided during the period of performance. Include information on how you will recruit and/or retain staff to achieve or maintain the proposed staffing plan.

6. Describe the training, experience, skills, and subject matter expertise of individuals in the roles defined in Question 6 (consistent with Attachment 4:

Biographical Sketches of Key Personnel). If applicable, describe recent changes in key management staff or significant changes in roles and responsibilities.

7. Describe how you will ensure that you initiate the proposed activities for Year 1 within 60 days of award by documenting that appropriate staff will be in

1 GAAP are used as defined in HHS Grants Policies and Regulations 45CFR Part 75.

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place. Provide a timeline for hiring, onboarding, and staff development, as needed.

8. Describe past performance managing collaborative federal awards at the national level, including examples of the extent to which measurable accomplishments were completed in full and on time.

iii. Budget The directions offered in the SF-424 Application Guide may differ from those offered by Grants.gov. Follow the instructions in Section 4.1.iv of HRSA’s SF-424 Application Guide and the additional budget instructions provided below. A budget that follows the Application Guide will ensure that, if HRSA selects your application for funding, you will have a well-organized plan and, by carefully following the approved plan, may avoid audit issues during the implementation phase.

Reminder: The Total Project or Program Costs are the total allowable costs (inclusive of direct and indirect costs) you incur to carry out a HRSA-supported project or activity.

Total project or program costs include costs charged to the award and costs borne by you to satisfy a matching or cost-sharing requirement, as applicable.

As required by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (P.L. 117-328), Division H, § 202, “None of the funds appropriated in this title shall be used to pay the salary of an individual, through a grant or other extramural mechanism, at a rate in excess of Executive Level II.” Effective January 2023, the salary rate limitation is $212,100. Note that these or other salary rate limitations may apply in the following fiscal years, as required by law.

iv. Budget Narrative See Section 4.1.v. of HRSA’s SF-424 Application Guide.

v. Attachments Provide the following items in the order specified below to complete the content of the application. Unless otherwise noted, attachments count toward the application page limit. Your indirect cost rate agreement and proof of non-profit status (if applicable) will not count toward the page limit. Clearly label each attachment. You must upload attachments into the application. HRSA and the objective review committee will not open/review any hyperlinked attachments.

Attachment 1: Work Plan Matrix (Required) Attach the project work plan matrix for the project that includes all information detailed in Section IV.2.ii. Project Narrative. If you will make sub awards or expend funds on contracts, describe how your organization will ensure proper documentation of funds.

http://www.hrsa.gov/grants/apply/applicationguide/sf424guide.pdf http://www.hrsa.gov/grants/apply/applicationguide/sf424guide.pdf https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/2617/text

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Attachment 2: Staffing Plan and Job Descriptions for Key Personnel (see Section 4.1. of HRSA’s SF-424 Application Guide)(Required)

Keep each job description to one page in length as much as is possible. Include the role, responsibilities, and qualifications of the proposed project staff. Also include a description of your organization’s timekeeping process to ensure that you will comply with the federal standards related to documenting personnel costs.

Attachment 3: Biographical Sketches of Key Personnel (Required) Include biographical sketches for persons occupying the key positions described in Attachment 2, not to exceed two pages in length per person. In the event that a biographical sketch is included for an identified individual not yet hired, include a letter of commitment from that person with the biographical sketch.

Attachment 4: Letters of Agreement, Memoranda of Understanding, and/or Description(s) of Proposed/Existing Contracts (project-specific)

Provide any documents that describe working relationships between your organization and other entities and programs cited in the proposal. Documents that confirm actual or pending contractual or other agreements should clearly describe the roles of the contractors and any deliverable. Make sure any letters of agreement are signed and dated.

Attachment 5: Project Organizational Chart (Required) Provide a one-page figure that depicts the organizational structure of the project.

Attachment 6 Indirect Cost Rate Agreement if applicable (Not counted in the page limit) Submit a copy of your most recently approved IDC rate agreement, which supports the indirect cost rate requested in the application budget.

Attachment 7: Progress Report (Does not count against the page limit)

(FOR COMPETING CONTINUATIONS ONLY)

A well-documented progress report is a required and important source of material for HRSA in preparing annual reports, planning programs, and communicating program-specific accomplishments. The accomplishments of competing continuation applicants are carefully considered; therefore, you should include previously stated goals and objectives in your application and emphasize the progress made in attaining these goals and objectives. HRSA program staff reviews the progress report after the Objective Review Committee evaluates the competing continuation applications. HRSA program staff reviews the progress report after the Objective Review Committee evaluates the competing continuation applications.

The progress report should be a brief presentation of the accomplishments, in relation to the objectives of the program during the current period of performance (September 1, 2020, through August 31, 2023.). The progress report should include:

(1) The period covered (dates).

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(2) Project description – State the title of the project with a brief description.

(3) Specific objectives - Briefly summarize the specific objectives of the project and the target audience.

(4) Results – Describe in detail the program activities conducted for each objective. Include both positive and negative results and challenges you encountered. Include a list of any resources that were developed and published as a result of the activity along with the links and any associated metrics (website clicks, downloads, etc.).

Attachment 8: Proof of Non-profit Status if applicable (Does not count against the page limit)

Attachments 9–15: Other Relevant Documents 15 is the maximum number of attachments allowed.

Include here any other documents that are relevant to the application, including letters of support. Letters of support must be dated and specifically indicate a commitment to the project/program (in-kind services, dollars, staff, space, equipment, etc.).

3. Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and System for Award Management (SAM)

Effective April 4, 2022:

• The UEI assigned by SAM has replaced the Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number.

• Register at SAM.gov and you will be assigned a UEI.

You must register with SAM and continue to maintain active SAM registration with current information at all times when you have: an active federal award, an active application, or an active plan under consideration by an agency (unless you are an individual or federal agency that is exempted from those requirements under 2 CFR § 25.110(b) or (c), or you have an exception approved by the agency under 2 CFR § 25.110(d)).