Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health: Obesity and Hypertension Demonstration Projects financed solely by Prevention and Public Health Funds

The purpose of the proposed FY2012 REACH program is to support the implementation of projects to reduce racial and ethnic health disparities. Recipients funded through this FOA will develop and implement replicable and scalable strategies to assure that population-wide policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) changes to reduce obesity and hypertension also decrease health disparities in these morbid outcomes in their jurisdiction. The program will build upon the body of knowledge from previous REACH programs. The program is designed to fund organizations that have a partnership with a local community-based organization, a local public health department (or tribal organization), and a university/academic institution. Plans for FY2012 advance and expand REACH's past program successes and ensure that the practice-based evidence expands.

Applications may be submitted by State or local governments or their Bona Fide Agents (this includes the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianna Islands, American Samoa, Guam, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau). Eligible applicants also include public and private nonprofit organizations, for profit organizations, small, minority, women-owned businesses, universities, colleges, research institutions, hospitals, community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, Federally recognized Indian tribal governments, Indian tribes, and Indian tribal organizations. Additional guidance may be provided in individual program announcements.

The general public will benefit from the objectives of this program. Additionally, colleges, universities, private non-profit and public nonprofit domestic organizations, research institutions, and faith-based organization, states, political subdivisions of states, local health authorities, and individuals or organizations with specialized health interests will benefit.

Applicants must document the need for assistance, state the objectives of the project, outline the method of operation, describe the evaluation procedures and provide a budget justification for funds requested. Costs for nonprofit recipients will be determined in accordance with HHS Regulations, 45 CFR Part 74, Subpart Q. This program is covered under OMB Circular No. A-87.

Funds may be used to support intensive approaches to chronic disease prevention and control described in Section "0.50" above.

Project period is for five years with a 12-month budget period.

Pre-application coordination is not required. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review. Environmental impact information is not required for this program.

This program is covered under OMB Circular No. A-102. This program is covered under OMB Circular No. A-110. Information on the submission of applications may be obtained from the Grants Management Officer, Grants Management Branch, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Telephone: (770) 488-2700. The standard application forms must be used for this program as furnished by the Public Health Service and requirement by OMB Circular No. A-110 for nongovernmental applicants.

Applications will be funded to ensure the inclusion of a range of geographic area, types of strategies and outcome measures, communities of varying sizes, and inclusion of populations and areas with a high burden of chronic diseases. Applicants are required to demonstrate a partnership with a local community-based organization, local public health department (or tribal organization), and a university/academic partner. Applications may be selected to ensure that populations and geographic areas with the highest burden of disease and/or health disparities are reached. Additional criteria will be listed in individual funding opportunity announcements.

An objective review panel will evaluate complete and responsive applications according to the evaluation criteria listed in funding opportunity announcement. Successful applicants will receive a Notice of Award (NOA) from the CDC Procurement and Grants Office. The NOA shall be the only binding, authorizing document between the recipient and CDC. The NOA will be signed by an authorized Grants Management Officer.

Renewals will be based upon the availability of funding and satisfactory programmatic progress. Project period is for 5 years with a 12 month budget period. Applications must be obtained from Grants Management Officer, Grants Management Branch, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Telephone: (770) 488-2700.