Title X Telehealth_NOFO FAQs_12.30.21 FINAL.pdf

Publication Month Year

HHS Office of Population Affairs Web: opa.hhs.gov | Email: opa@hhs.gov Twitter: @HHSPopAffairs | Y

Updated December 30, 2021

HHS Office of Population Affairs Web: opa.hhs.gov | Email: FY22.TitleXNOFO.Telehealth@hhs.gov Twitter: @HHSPopAffairs | YouTube: HHSOfficeofPopulationAffairs

PA-FPH-22-002 Notice of Funding Opportunity

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

file://ct-files/g-drive/Fertility%20and%20Family%20Structure/OPA%20Communications/Option%20Year%202/1-%20Strategic%20Communications/1.8%20Graphic%20Design/opa.hhs.gov file://ct-files/g-drive/Fertility%20and%20Family%20Structure/OPA%20Communications/Option%20Year%202/1-%20Strategic%20Communications/1.8%20Graphic%20Design/opa.hhs.gov mailto:FY22.TitleXNOFO.Telehealth@hhs.gov

GENERAL QUESTIONS

1. Will the presentation be available following the webinar?

Yes, the presentation and all responses to questions asked during the webinar will be provided via Grants.gov in the related documents section of the NOFO.

2. Can current Title X grantees apply to this NOFO? Do you need to be a current Title X grantee to apply?

Yes, current Title X grantees may apply to this NOFO. No, you do not need to be a current Title X grantee to apply. Any eligible entity defined under Section E, page 11-12, of the NOFO may apply. Please note, that applicants for this NOFO (PA-FPH-22-002) are limited to applicants who are submitting applications to PA-FPH-22-001 “Title X Family Planning Services Grants.”

Only recipients of awards under PA-FPH-22-001 will be eligible to receive an award under this opportunity.

3. How can I ensure that my application is not disqualified?

You can ensure that your application is not disqualified by carefully following the Application Responsiveness and Disqualification Criteria found under Section E, pages 13-14, of the

NOFO.

4. How will we know if any updates are made to this NOFO?

Applicants should subscribe to PA-FPH-22-002 on Grants.gov to receive any updates to the announcement or supporting materials. To subscribe to an opportunity, find the opportunity on Grants.gov by searching the NOFO number or the CFDA/Assistance Listing number. Once you are on the opportunity page click the red Subscribe button and follow the instructions.

5. Are subrecipients eligible to apply for this NOFO?

According to page 11, Section E.1, this opportunity is limited to applicants who have submitted applications to PA-FPH-22-001 “Title X Family Planning Service Grants. The applicant is considered the organization that submitted the PA-FPH-22-001 application through Grants.gov.

6. Are projects able to submit Letters of Commitment that are digitally signed?

Yes, digital signatures are acceptable.

7. Should Title X Programs with sub-recipients submit one application or should sub-recipients each submit individually?

Under PA-FPH-22-002, only applicants for PA-FPH-22-001 are eligible to apply. The applicant is considered the organization that submitted the PA-FPH-22-001 application through Grants.gov.

PROGRAM EXPECTATIONS QUESTIONS

8. Is the disparity impact statement required as part of the NOFO application? Is there a framework for the disparity impact statement?

The disparity impact statement is not required as part of the NOFO application. As part of the federal award’s program specific terms and conditions, all successful applicants, upon funding, may be expected to develop one using local data to identify populations at highest risk for health disparities and low health literacy. Section B, page 9, of the NOFO includes HHS resources that recipients may refer to when developing their project disparity impact statement. Additional information and links to resources are available in Section K, page 51 of the NOFO.

9. Can an organization submit one telehealth grant application for multiple geographic areas if those service areas were included in several five-year grant applications but only one telehealth grant that covers the multiple geographic areas?

This is a competitive NOFO, therefore it is up to each organization to determine the specific content of their application. The NOFO states on page 6 that “Grants funded under this NOFO will enhance and expand the telehealth infrastructure of Title X grantee networks, increasing access to Title X family planning services nationwide.” In addition, page 12 of the NOFO states “Final awards for PA-FPH-22-002 will be contingent upon an award under PA-FPH-22-001 to ensure that the one-time funds provided for Title X under the ARP are used to build the telehealth infrastructure of Title X recipients and their networks.”

10. If we are planning on using a technology platform for asynchronous patient engagement, can we include them as a sub-recipient in the grant proposal?

Page 7 of the NOFO defines Asynchronous and other telehealth modalities that allow for delivery of healthcare. Proposed telehealth modalities that meet the definitions provided on page 7 and the Expectations identified on page 9 (Section B.2.a.) specifically note that recipients under this NOFO may use funds to “establish, enhance, and/or expand telehealth technical capabilities and systems to support sustainable access to high-quality, client-centered, and equitable Title X family planning services through telehealth modalities.”

11. Can an organization propose to hire new staff to support this initiative?

Projects may determine how to spend the funds according to the opportunity announcement PA-FPH-22-002. Page 17 of the NOFO states that telehealth funds may include the hiring of “…qualified staff to support telehealth efforts to deliver high-quality, client-centered, and equitable Title X family planning services through telehealth modalities.”

12. Does the unduplicated # of clients for this application need to be distinct or a subset of the total # of clients they plan to serve as part of the national service grant?

The anticipated numbers of unduplicated clients in response to PA-FPH22-002 should be reflective of the proposed clients anticipated to receive telehealth services (page 32, Section G.1.a.1.).

BUDGET AND FUNDING QUESTIONS

13. Are additional state general funds and federal fund sources allowable additional funding for the purpose of cost sharing and matching?

On page 12, Section E.2 states “while there is not a fixed cost-sharing percentage or amount, projects must include financial support from sources other than Title X. The proposed project budget must reflect non-federal financial support in addition to Title X funds on both the Standard Form (SF) 424A, Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs, and in the budget narrative.”

The Non-Federal Resources Description section of the Budget Narrative Content section (F.3.b) identifies that “...awards that require matching by statute, you will be held accountable for projected commitments of non-federal resources in your application budgets and budget justifications by budget period or by period of performance for fully-funded awards, even if the justification by budget period, or by period of performance for fully-funded awards, exceeds the amount required. Your failure to provide the required matching amount may result in the disallowance of federal funds. If you are funded, you will be required to report these funds on your Federal Financial Reports.”

Other Federal funds may NOT be used for Cost Sharing under the cost principles. Please note that the “amount and source(s) of these funds must be clearly identified separately from the requested Title X support as indicated on the SF 424A, as well as on the SF 424, Application for Federal Assistance. The OASH Grants and Acquisition Management (GAM) Division will review applications to ensure that the requested amount of Title X funding is in compliance with this business requirement.” (NOFO, Section E, page 12)

14. Are in-kind donations (such as staff time) allowable as part of the required cost sharing for the budget?

Projects must identify and document specific costs or contributions proposed in order to meet a matching requirement. In-kind contributions must be accompanied by a justification of how the stated valuation was determined. Matching or cost sharing must be documented by budget period. If your application does not include the required supporting documentation for required or voluntary cost-sharing or matching, it will be disqualified from competitive review.

15. What % of non-federal funding sources of match dollars is required for the telehealth funding opportunity?

On page 12 of the NOFO, Section E.2 states “while there is not a fixed cost-sharing percentage or amount, projects must include financial support from sources other than Title X. The proposed project budget must reflect non-federal financial support in addition to Title X funds on both the Standard Form (SF) 424A, Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs, and in the budget narrative.”

16. Do we have to find new match dollars for the telehealth funding opportunity or can we count the match we are currently using for Title X?

Applicants for this NOFO (PA-FPH-22-002) must identify funds for cost-sharing as described on page 12 of the NOFO. The funds identified for cost sharing for this NOFO cannot be the same as funds identified for cost sharing under PA-FPH-22-001.

17. What happens if I have no state general funds for a match?

The cost-sharing for Title X must be from other non-Federal funds but does not have to be from state funds, as long as other non-Federal funds are available to meet the cost-sharing requirement.

Program regulations stipulates projects must identify additional sources of funding and not rely solely upon Title X grant funds. While there is not a fixed cost-sharing percentage or amount, projects must include financial support from sources other than Title X, such as private funding, state funding, and income from private and public insurance for reimbursable services. The Title X family planning services program allows program income to be applied toward the cost sharing obligation.

The cost sharing requirements are waived for any grant made to the U.S. Virgin Islands, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, Guam, Republic of Palau, Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands. (NOFO, page 2, Section E pages 12-13, and Section F page 24). Please note that other Federal funds may NOT be used for Cost Sharing under the cost principles.

18. Can funds be used for anything other than telehealth?

This initiative is specifically to enhance and expand the telehealth infrastructure and capacity of their service delivery networks. Funding from this NOFO may only be used as described on page 9, Section B.2.a-d.

19. Is this one-time funding only?

Yes, under this initiative, OPA intends to provide one-time funds appropriated under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP) (Public Law No. 117-2) to active Title X grantees (as described below) specifically to enhance and expand the telehealth infrastructure and capacity of their service delivery networks. OPA intends to make available an estimated $35,000,000, and anticipates funding up to 60 awards ranging from $50,000 to $700,000 for a period of one

(1) year. (Page 2) In addition, the Award Information on page 11 reflects the estimated period of performance not to exceed one year to begin May 1, 2022.

20. Will the funding be added to the grantee’s Title X services grant funded under PA-

FPH-22-001?

Awards under PA-FPH-22-002 are not considered supplement to an existing grant under the national competition. If awarded, this funding will be a standalone grant that will not be added or commingled with other funding. This funding opportunity will receive its own Notice of Award.