Tribal Public Health Capacity Building and Quality Improvement Umbrella Cooperative Agreement

This program's ultimate outcomes are 1) decreased morbidity and mortality among American Indians (AI) and Alaska Natives (AN); 2) advanced capacity of Indian Country to identify, respond to, and mitigate public health threats; 3) improved capacity of

This program's ultimate outcomes are 1) decreased morbidity and mortality among American Indians (AI) and Alaska Natives (AN); 2) advanced capacity of Indian Country to identify, respond to, and mitigate public health threats; 3) improved capacity of the workforce to deliver essential public health services; 4) increased culturally-appropriate practice-based evidence programs and policies that are effective and sustainable throughout Indian Country; and 5) improved capacity to collaboratively and strategically address AI/AN health needs and advance health equity.

Executive Order 13175, "Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments," 65 FR 67, 249, issued by President Clinton on November 6, 2000, and the Presidential Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies on Tribal Consultation, 74 FR 57881, signed by President Obama on November 5, 2009 [http://www.gsa.gov/portal /content/101569] encourage strengthening intergovernmental relations between the federal government and AI/AN tribal nations. As such, eligibility for this CoAg is limited to federally recognized American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) tribal nations and regional tribally designated organizations. AI/AN tribal nations have the right of self-determination and governance over their citizens. In addition, AI/AN tribal nations and regional tribally designated organizations have a unique understanding of AI/AN cultures, fluency in Native languages, knowledge of indigenous history and traditional practices. These entities are the best qualified to address AI/AN public health needs in an efficient, effective, and culturally-appropriate manner. AI/AN tribal public health infrastructure and capacity initiatives and quality improvements are more likely to be sustained when they begin as tribal initiatives rather than as external initiatives. This CoAg will further efforts in Indian Country by supporting a culturally- appropriate approach advocated for and by the CDC/ATSDR Tribal Advisory Committee, tribal public health practitioners and partners. Direct funding will support tribal governments and tribal-serving organizations in making sound and efficient public health planning and resource allocation. The funding method for this CoAg will allow for more programs in CDC to provide direct funding to Indian Country in order to improve tribal public health systems and reach the outcomes stated in the logic model.

Eligible applicants should be able to demonstrate tribal affiliation including (1) a record of effectively working with American Indian and Alaska Native populations (2) an ability to methodically and efficiently reach tribal members in American Indian and Alaska Native communities and (3), if recipient is a tribally owned and operated organization, it should provide a letter of approval from Tribal council for the proposed program.

Historically, tribal public health systems have been separated from the larger US public health system, which has led to limited strategic partnerships with federal, state, and local partners; underdeveloped infrastructure; data access barriers; and diminished public health workforce. Tribal health systems provide public health services across the United States and are central to reducing health disparities in tribal nations. Building tribal public health infrastructure enhances Indian Country's capacity to prevent disease, promote health, and prepare for and respond to emerging threats and chronic challenges. Implementation of business practice improvements leading to efficiencies and cost savings; education/training of workforce; integration of technology in data collection and information systems, implementation of culturally adapted and traditional evidence-based public health programs, policies and services; development of capacity to meet national standards; development of strategic partnerships to enhance capacity to implement evidenced-based public health intervention strategies; improvement responsiveness to disease trends through culturally relevant public health communication tools; and improvement in quality, availability and accessibility of public health tools and resources.

Financial assistance is provided for a 12-month budget period with a period of performance of up to five years subject to the availability of funds and satisfactory progress of the recipient.

Refer to the NOFO at www.grants.gov for specific details. An objective review panel with experience working with tribes or tribal organizations will evaluate complete applications. Reviewers will be primarily selected from a pool of CDC subject matter experts with demonstrated experience working with tribes or in tribal settings to establish cultural competence. The specific objective reviewer scores will be used to produce a rank order of proposals. However, proposals may be funded out of rank order based upon the following criteria: health conditions and geographical diversity of populations that the applicants will directly serve.

The primary funding opportunity under this listing uses a two-part strategy. Funding Strategy 1: Initial Funding - Responsive applications submitted under this funding opportunity will be reviewed objectively as described in the Review and Selection Process section of this NOFO. Awards under Funding Strategy 1 will support building capacities and capabilities. Applicants selected for Funding Strategy 1 will become part of a group of organizations that are eligible for funding under Funding Strategy 2. Funding Strategy 2: CIO Project Plans - The second funding strategy is subject to the availability of appropriated funds and agency priorities. To maximize CDC's program priorities and health system needs in Indian Country, applicants funded under Funding Strategy 1 will be eligible to apply for additional funding under Funding Strategy 2. Under Funding Strategy 2, CDC will publish and compete CIO project plans according to geographic categories. The plans will be published on www.grants.gov as a supplement. Org

Check Grants.gov for any relevant NOFO information regarding processes for applying for assistance.

Project period of performance is 1 to 5 years. After initial awards, and subject to availability of funds, projects may be continued non-competitively contingent upon 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.