Cooperative Agreements to Support Comprehensive School Health Programs to Prevent the Spread of HIV and Other Important Health Problems

To improve the health and well-being of youth and prepare them to be healthy adults.

Eligible applicants are official States (including the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Marina Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Republic of Palau, and the U.S. Virgin Islands), Tribal Governments, large urban school districts (with the highest number of reported AIDS cases, high levels of poverty, and student enrollment greater than 75,000 students), and national non-governmental organizations.

Official State education agencies in states and territories in the United States (including the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Marina Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Republic of Palau, and the U.S. Virgin Islands); local education agencies; national private sector organizations and their constituents; universities and colleges; school-age youth, including minority youth, youth in high-risk situations, and youth with special education needs; college-age youth; and school personnel, including teachers, school nurses, paraprofessionals, and school administrators.

Costs will be determined by 45 CFR Part 74, Subpart Q for nonprofit organizations and in accordance with OMB Circular A-87, "Cost Principles for State and Local Governments."

Cooperative Agreement funds may be used to support personnel, purchase equipment, supplies, services, and travel directly related to the program activities and consistent with the scope of this program. Cooperative agreement funds are used to help schools prevent sexual risk behaviors that result in HIV infection, especially among youth who are at highest risk. For example, cooperative agreement recipients implement and integrate effective policies and educational strategies to reduce risk behaviors that lead to HIV infection among youth; implement strategies to reduce disparities among sub-populations of youth disproportionately affected by HIV infection and other health problems related to sexual risk behaviors; evaluate the implementation and effectiveness of strategies to reduce risks for HIV infection among youth in schools for the purposes of programmatic improvement and long-range planning. CDC believes that the specific scope and content of HIV education programs in schools should be locally determined and should be consistent with parental and community values. CDC supports local decision-making by providing sound scientific information to grantees who work directly with schools, communities, and parents. Funds may be expended for written materials, pictorials, audiovisuals, questionnaires or survey instruments, and educational group sessions related to HIV education for youth, school, and college populations if approved in accordance with the document "Content of AIDS-Related Written Materials, Pictorials, Audiovisuals, Questionnaires, Survey Instruments, and Educational Sessions in Centers for Disease Control Assistance Programs." Cooperative agreement funds are also used to build state education and state health agency partnership and capacity to implement and coordinate school health programs across agencies and within schools. The expected outcome of this effort is to help schools reduce chronic disease risk factors, including tobacco use, poor nutrition, and physical inactivity. For example, cooperative agreement recipients implement and integrate effective policies, environmental changes, and educational strategies to reduce unhealthy behaviors; leverage resources to avoid duplication at the state and local levels; evaluate school health capacity-building efforts while implementing effective strategies to reduce priority health risks. Funds may not be used to conduct research projects, provide direct delivery of patient care or treatment services, and purchase or disseminate condoms. Although public health may have an assurance role in clinical testing and screening, funds are not to be used to provide clinical testing or screening services. Funds may not be used for purchasing computer equipment, office equipment or furnishing, renting or leasing office space, or to support construction or renovation unless specifically approved.

Project period can be up to 5 years. Budget periods are for 12 months. Payment under this program is made available through HHS Payment Management System (PMS).

Applicants must comply with Executive Order 12372.

Information on the submission of applications may be obtained from Grants Management Branch, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30341. This program is subject to the provisions of 45 CFR Part 92 and 45 CFR Part 74. The standard application forms, as furnished by PHS and required by 45 CFR Part 92 for State and local governments and 45 CFR Part 74 for nonprofit organizations must be used for this program.

Continuation awards are made on the basis of the following criteria: (1) the accomplishments of the current budget period show that the applicant is meeting its objectives and carrying out activities as planned; (2) the capacity of the recipient and staff responsible for managing and coordinating activities; (3) current collaboration with HIV prevention programs of State and local health agencies and with other relevant organizations; (4) the objectives for the new budget period are realistic, specific, and measurable; (5) a description of the methods of operation and activities that will be used to accomplish the stated objectives; (6) a plan of evaluation; (7) evidence of support from relevant organizations; (8) plans to share information about the program, including copies of HIV education curricula, program descriptions, progress reports, and educational materials with other agencies interested in HIV education for youth; (9) a budget request that is clearly explained, adequately justified, reasonable, and consistent with the intended use of cooperative agreement funds.

After review and approval, a notice of award is prepared and processed, along with appropriate notification to the public.

Information on renewals may be obtained from Tracey Sims, Grants Management Officer, Grants Management Branch, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2920 Brandywine Road, Room 2306, Atlanta, GA 30341.