Health Improvement for Re-entering Ex-offenders Initiative (HIRE) HIV/AIDS

The HIRE Program seeks to improve the HIV/AIDS health outcomes of ex-offenders re-entering the mainstream population (Re-entry Population) by supporting community-based efforts to ensure their successful transition from state or federal incarceration back to their communities. It is expected that applicants will ensure that ex-offenders returning to their communities from incarceration or detention are sufficiently prepared to: maximize their chances for successful reintegration; seek to eliminate the structural and medical barriers to reintegration that are necessary to preserve public safety; acknowledge the roles that families and communities play in the reentry process and ensure that they are sufficiently prepared to take on those responsibilities; and collect the data needed from pre-release and post-release prison medical reports to better evaluate the effectiveness of the project and assist ex-offenders affected by HIV/AIDS.

To qualify for funding, an applicant organization must: be located within one of the five targeted states with the highest incidence of inmates known to be infected with HIV or of inmates to have confirmed AIDS in state and federal prisons at year end 2008: Florida, New York, Texas, California, or Georgia. Furthermore, the organization must have a minimum of five years' experience in: a) providing services to the re-entry population; and b) implementing HIV/AIDS-related health and support services. Additionally, the eligible organization must be a: • Private nonprofit community-based, minority-serving organization which addresses health, human or correctional services; or • Public entity (local government) which addresses health, human or correctional services; or • Tribal governmental entity which addresses health, human or correctional services; or • Faith-based organization which provides comprehensive pre-release, transitional or reentry services.

The HIRE Program places primary focus on the reentry populations in five targeted states, with special emphasis on the following reentry subpopulations: substance abusers, men who have sex with men, and individuals impacted by mental health disorders.

Proof of nonprofit status, if applicable, is required as part of the application submission. OMB Circular No. A-87 applies to this program.

Funds are to be used to support projects or activities consistent with the mission of the Office of Minority Health of the U.S. Public Health Service, and that facilitate improvement in the HIV/AIDS health outcomes of ex-offenders re-entering the mainstream population. Funds are not to be used for the provision of health care treatment, for construction, or to supplant ongoing project activities.

Grants can have a project period not to exceed 4 years, with 12-month budget periods. Following the initial budget period, continued funding is subject to the availability of funds and satisfactory program performance. Payments will be made either on a monthly cash request basis or under a letter of credit. Necessary instructions regarding payment procedure will be provided at the time the Notice of Grant Award is issued

OMB Circular No. A-102 applies to this program. OMB Circular No. A-110 applies to this program. To apply, access the announcement thru www.grants.gov. Enter the CFDA# and follow the website instructions. Applications submitted after the deadlines will not be accepted for review. The submission deadline will not be extended. Applications which do not conform to the requirements of the grant announcement will not be accepted for review and will be returned to the applicant. Applications may only be submitted electronically via www.grants.gov. Any applications submitted via any other means of electronic communication, including facsimile or electronic mail, will not be accepted for review.

Complete review criteria are published in the Program Announcement or can be obtained from the Program contact. Listed below are some criteria used to review applications: (1) consistency of project's objectives relevant to the Program purpose and the federal Office of Minority Health's mission; (2) coherence and feasibility of methodology and activities selected to address the problem as evidence in the proposed implementation plan; (3) strength of proposed grant organization's management capability; (4) adequacy of qualifications and experience of proposed personnel; and (5) strength of analysis of potential impact or innovation the project proposes to generate.

Applications will be screened upon receipt. Those that are deemed to be ineligible will be returned to the applicant. Accepted applications will be evaluated by a technical review panel composed of independent experts. The final funding decision will be determined by the Agency Director, who will take into consideration the recommendations of the review panel; programmatic needs, stated preferences; geographic location; and recommendations of DHHS Regional Health Coordinators. All applicants will be notified in writing of actions taken on their applications. Applications that are approved and funded will be issued A Notice of Grant Award.

180 Days. The grant will have a 4-year project period with 12-month budget periods.