**DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (DHHS)**

**Administration on Aging (AoA)**

**Program Announcement Number AoA-03-07**

**TABLE OF CONTENTS:**

1.  Background and Priority Area Descriptions for Each Area...... Page 1

    A.  Alzheimer's National Call Center...............................
        Page 1

    B.  Eldercare Locator Program and the National Aging

> Information Referral Support Center........................... Page 7

C.  Evidence-Based Prevention Program.......................... Page 12

D.  Evidence-Based Prevention Programs for the Elderly --

> National Resource Center........................................ Page
> 20

E.  Family Friends.....................................................
    Page 26

F.  Health Disparities among Minority Elderly Individuals --

> Technical Assistance Centers.................................... Page
> 32

G.  National Center on Elder Abuse................................. Page
    36

H.  Nutrition, Physical Activity and Aging -- National Resource

> Center............................................................. ..
> Page 40

I.  Older Indians, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians --

> National Resource Centers....................................\... Page
> 43

J.  Pension Information and Counseling Projects --

> Regional............................................................
> Page 45
>
> K. Pension Technical Assistance Project -- National............ Page
> 50
>
> L. Retirement Planning and Assistance for Women............ Page 57

M.  Senior Legal Services -- Enhancement of Access.........\.... Page 61

> II\. Instructions for Completing the Project
> Narrative................. Page 64

III. Instructions for Completing Standard Forms.....................
     Page 68

IV. Application Screening Criteria......................................
    Page 74

V.  Application Review Process and Evaluation Criteria.........\... Page
    75

VI. Submission Options and Application Components.............. Page 77

> Attachments

AoA Consolidated Program Announcement

+-------------+------------+---------------+--------+-------+-------+
| #### Grant  | ***A       | ####          | ***M   | ***Ma | **    |
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|             |            | Required)***  |        |       |       |
+-------------+------------+---------------+--------+-------+-------+
| #### *A.*   | August 15, | Nonprofit     | \$9    | 36    | 1     |
|             | 2003       | agencies and  | 63,500 | m     |       |
| Alzheimer's |            | o             |        | onths |       |
| -- National |            | rganizations, |        |       |       |
| Call Center |            | including     |        |       |       |
|             |            | faith-based   |        |       |       |
| (CFDA       |            | and           |        |       |       |
| 93048)      |            | co            |        |       |       |
|             |            | mmunity-based |        |       |       |
|             |            | organizations |        |       |       |
+-------------+------------+---------------+--------+-------+-------+
| B.          | August 15, | Public and/or | \$1,1  | 60    | 1     |
|             | 2003       | nonprofit     | 75,000 | m     |       |
| Eldercare   |            |               |        | onths |       |
| Locator     |            | agencies and  |        |       |       |
| Program and |            | o             |        |       |       |
| the         |            | rganizations, |        |       |       |
| National    |            |               |        |       |       |
| Aging       |            | including     |        |       |       |
| Information |            | faith-based   |        |       |       |
| & Referral  |            |               |        |       |       |
| Support     |            | and           |        |       |       |
| Center      |            | community-    |        |       |       |
|             |            |               |        |       |       |
| (CFDA       |            | based         |        |       |       |
| 93048)      |            | organizations |        |       |       |
+-------------+------------+---------------+--------+-------+-------+
| C.          | August 15, | Local public  | \$2    | 36    | 6 - 8 |
|             | 2003       | and/or        | 50,000 | m     |       |
| Evi         |            | nonprofit     |        | onths |       |
| dence-Based |            | agencies and  |        |       |       |
| Prevention  |            | o             |        |       |       |
| Program     |            | rganizations, |        |       |       |
|             |            | including     |        |       |       |
| (CFDA       |            | faith-based   |        |       |       |
| 93.048)     |            | and           |        |       |       |
|             |            | co            |        |       |       |
|             |            | mmunity-based |        |       |       |
|             |            | organizations |        |       |       |
+-------------+------------+---------------+--------+-------+-------+
| D.          | August 15, | National      | \$5    | 36    | 1     |
|             | 2003       | nonprofit     | 00,000 | m     |       |
| Evi         |            | o             |        | onths |       |
| dence-Based |            | rganizations, |        |       |       |
| Prevention  |            | including     |        |       |       |
| Program for |            | faith-based   |        |       |       |
| the Elderly |            | organizations |        |       |       |
| -- National |            |               |        |       |       |
| Resource    |            |               |        |       |       |
| Center      |            |               |        |       |       |
|             |            |               |        |       |       |
| (CFDA       |            |               |        |       |       |
| 93.048)     |            |               |        |       |       |
+-------------+------------+---------------+--------+-------+-------+
| E.          | August 15, | Public and/or | \$9    | 36    | 1     |
|             | 2003       | nonprofit     | 80,584 | m     |       |
| Family      |            | agencies,     |        | onths |       |
| Friends     |            | o             |        |       |       |
|             |            | rganizations, |        |       |       |
| (CFDA       |            | or            |        |       |       |
| 93.048)     |            | institutions, |        |       |       |
|             |            | including     |        |       |       |
|             |            | faith-based   |        |       |       |
|             |            | organizations |        |       |       |
+-------------+------------+---------------+--------+-------+-------+
| F.          | August 15, | Public and/or | **T    | 36    | 5     |
|             | 2003       | nonprofit     | otal** | m     |       |
| Health      |            | agencies and  |        | onths |       |
| Disparities |            | national      | \$9    |       |       |
| among       |            | o             | 32,598 |       |       |
| Minority    |            | rganizations, |        |       |       |
| Elderly     |            | including     | **R    |       |       |
| Individuals |            | faith-based   | ange** |       |       |
| --          |            | organizations |        |       |       |
| Technical   |            |               | \$129  |       |       |
| Assistance  |            |               | ,000 - |       |       |
| Centers     |            |               | \$3    |       |       |
|             |            |               | 56,000 |       |       |
| (CFDA       |            |               |        |       |       |
| 93.048)     |            |               |        |       |       |
+-------------+------------+---------------+--------+-------+-------+

+-------------+------------+---------------+--------+-------+-------+
| #### Grant  | ***A       | ####          | ***M   | ***Ma | **    |
| Opportunity | pplication | Who May Apply | aximum | ximum | *Esti |
|             | D          |               | Aw     | Proj  | mated |
|             | eadline*** | ***\[In       | ard*** | ected | N     |
|             |            | addition,     |        | Peri  | umber |
|             |            | note Special  |        | od*** | of*   |
|             |            | Q             |        |       | Awa   |
|             |            | ualifications |        |       | rds** |
|             |            | Required)***  |        |       |       |
+-------------+------------+---------------+--------+-------+-------+
| G.          | August 15, | Public and/or | 8      | 36    | 1     |
|             | 2003       | nonprofit     | 09,703 | m     |       |
| National    |            |               |        | onths |       |
| Center on   |            | agencies,     |        |       |       |
| Elder Abuse |            | o             |        |       |       |
|             |            | rganizations, |        |       |       |
| (CFDA       |            | or            |        |       |       |
| 93.048)     |            | institutions, |        |       |       |
|             |            | including     |        |       |       |
|             |            | faith-based   |        |       |       |
|             |            | organizations |        |       |       |
+-------------+------------+---------------+--------+-------+-------+
| H.          | August 15, | Institutions  | \$4    | 36    | 1     |
|             | 2003       | of Higher     | 80,000 | m     |       |
| Nutrition,  |            | Education     |        | onths |       |
| Physical    |            |               |        |       |       |
| Activity    |            |               |        |       |       |
| and Aging   |            |               |        |       |       |
| \--         |            |               |        |       |       |
| National    |            |               |        |       |       |
| Resource    |            |               |        |       |       |
| Center      |            |               |        |       |       |
|             |            |               |        |       |       |
| (CFDA       |            |               |        |       |       |
| 93.048)     |            |               |        |       |       |
+-------------+------------+---------------+--------+-------+-------+
| I.          | August 15, | Institution   | \$3    | 36    | 2     |
|             | 2003       | of Higher     | 45,000 | m     |       |
| Older       |            | Education     |        | onths |       |
| Indians,    |            |               |        |       |       |
| Alaska      |            |               |        |       |       |
| Natives and |            |               |        |       |       |
| Native      |            |               |        |       |       |
| Hawaiians   |            |               |        |       |       |
| \--         |            |               |        |       |       |
| National    |            |               |        |       |       |
| Resource    |            |               |        |       |       |
| Centers     |            |               |        |       |       |
|             |            |               |        |       |       |
| (CFDA       |            |               |        |       |       |
| 93.048)     |            |               |        |       |       |
+-------------+------------+---------------+--------+-------+-------+
| J.          | August 15, | State or area | \$1    | 36    | 2     |
|             | 2003       | agencies on   | 50,000 | m     |       |
| Pension     |            | aging, and    |        | onths |       |
| Information |            | nonprofit     |        |       |       |
| and         |            | o             |        |       |       |
| Counseling  |            | rganizations, |        |       |       |
| Projects -  |            | including     |        |       |       |
| Regional    |            | co            |        |       |       |
|             |            | mmunity-based |        |       |       |
| (CFDA       |            | and           |        |       |       |
| 93.048)     |            | faith-based   |        |       |       |
|             |            | organizations |        |       |       |
+-------------+------------+---------------+--------+-------+-------+
| K.          | August 15, | State or area | \$4    | 36    | 1     |
|             | 2003       | agencies on   | 00,000 | m     |       |
| Pension     |            | aging, and    |        | onths |       |
| Technical   |            | nonprofit     |        |       |       |
| Assistance  |            | o             |        |       |       |
| Project -   |            | rganizations, |        |       |       |
| National    |            | including     |        |       |       |
|             |            | co            |        |       |       |
| (CGDA       |            | mmunity-based |        |       |       |
| 93.048)     |            | and           |        |       |       |
|             |            | faith-based   |        |       |       |
|             |            | organizations |        |       |       |
+-------------+------------+---------------+--------+-------+-------+
| L.          | August 15, | Public and/or | \$2    | 36    | 1     |
|             | 2003       | nonprofit     | 48,376 | m     |       |
| Retirement  |            | agencies and  |        | onths |       |
| Planning    |            | o             |        |       |       |
| and         |            | rganizations, |        |       |       |
| Assistance  |            | including     |        |       |       |
| for Women   |            | faith-based   |        |       |       |
| (CFDA       |            | and           |        |       |       |
| 93.048)     |            | co            |        |       |       |
|             |            | mmunity-based |        |       |       |
|             |            | organizations |        |       |       |
+-------------+------------+---------------+--------+-------+-------+
| M.          | August 15, | Public and/or | \$1    | 36    | 4     |
|             | 2003       | nonprofit     | 00,000 | m     |       |
| Senior      |            | agencies and  |        | onths |       |
| Legal       |            | o             | to     |       |       |
| Services -- |            | rganizations, |        |       |       |
| Enhancement |            | including     | \$1    |       |       |
| of Access   |            | faith-based   | 50,000 |       |       |
|             |            | and           |        |       |       |
| (CFDA       |            | co            |        |       |       |
| 93.048)     |            | mmunity-based |        |       |       |
|             |            | organizations |        |       |       |
+-------------+------------+---------------+--------+-------+-------+

**ACTION:** Fiscal Year 2003 AoA Consolidated Program Announcement.
Announcement of availability of funds and request for applications for
thirteen (13) priority areas.

**SUMMARY:** The Consolidated Program Announcement is published to
solicit applications in support of thirteen different priority areas,
identified below by number, letter and name.

**AoA-03-07 A:** Alzheimer's -- National Call Center

**AoA-03-07 B:** Eldercare Locator Program and the National Aging
Information & Referral Support Center

**AoA-03-07 C**: Evidence-Based Prevention Program

**AoA-03-07 D** Evidence-Based Prevention Program for the Elderly --
National Resource Center

**AoA-03-07 E:** Family Friends

**AoA-03-07 F:** Health Disparities among Minority Elderly Individuals
-- Technical Assistance Centers

**AoA-03-07 G:** National Center on Elder Abuse

**AoA-03-07 H**: Nutrition, Physical Activity and Aging -- National
Resource Center

**AoA-03-07 I:** Older Indians, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians --
National Resource Centers

**AoA-03-07 J:** Pension Information and Counseling Projects - Regional

**AoA-03-07 K:** Pension Technical Assistance Project - National

**AoA-03-07 L:** Retirement Planning and Assistance for Women

**AoA-03-07 M:** Senior Legal Services -- Enhancement of Access

The number in the Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) is
93.048.

# Background and Priority AREA Descriptions FOR EACH AREA

# AoA-03-07 A: Alzheimer's National Call Center

# 1. Background

**[Statutory Authority.]{.underline}** The statutory authority for
grants under this program announcement is contained in Title IV of the
Older Americans Act, (42 U.S.C. 3001 et seq.), as amended by the Older
Americans Act Amendments of 2000 (P.L. 106-501).

**[Application Due Date.]{.underline}** The deadline date for the
submission of applications under this program announcement is August 15,
2003.

**[Project Funding, Duration and Match.]{.underline}** AoA plans to fund
one project through this cooperative agreement. Number range CHAPTERThe
award is a cooperative agreement because the Administration on Aging
will be substantially involved in the development and execution of the
activities of the grantee. The Administration on Aging shall carry out
the following activities under this cooperative agreement: collaborate
with the Alzheimer's Call Center in the development, modification and
execution of the Call Center's work plan, including the Call Center's
plan for staff training, outreach and marketing, and evaluating it's
activities and services; provide technical advice and guidance in the
development of technical assistance and informational materials; provide
linkages between the Call Center, the Eldercare Locator, and the Aging
Network; and provide consultation in identifying emerging issues and in
developing and maintaining collaborations with the AoA Alzheimer's
Demonstration Program grantees. The Alzheimer's Call Center shall carry
out the following activities under this cooperative agreement:
collaborate with the Administration on Aging in the development,
modification, and execution of the Call Center's work plan; assist the
Administration on Aging in developing and sustaining collaborations
between the Alzheimer's Call Center, the Eldercare Locator, the grantees
under the Alzheimer's Demonstration Program, and the Aging Network;
provide a 24-hour/day, 7-day/week toll-free Call Center with trained
professional staff available to provide care consultation and crisis
intervention to people with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias,
their family and informal caregivers, and others as appropriate; and
evaluate the impact of the Call Center's activities and services.

The project will be funded at a federal share of approximately \$963,500
per year for a project period of 3 years, contingent on the availability
of federal funds. Grantees are required to cover at least 25% of the
total program costs from non-federal cash or in-kind resources -- see
instructions on AoA match requirements in Section III.A.

**[Eligible Applicants.]{.underline}** Nonprofit organizations,
including faith-based and community-based organizations, are eligible to
apply under this program announcement.

**[Priority Target Populations and Organizations.]{.underline}** The
National Alzheimer's Call Center customers will be people with
Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, their family members and
informal caregivers. The Call Center will not be designed to serve
health care providers or other professionals. Applicants must involve
community-based organizations in the operation of the National
Alzheimer's Call Center to ensure local, on-the-ground capacity to
respond to emergency and on-going needs of Alzheimer's patients, their
families and informal caregivers. Applicants must be able to work with
the National Alzheimer's Association as well as local chapters of the
Alzheimer's Association. Applicants must also include disadvantaged
populations, including limited-English speaking populations, as a target
for their proposed outreach and marketing strategies.

**[For Further Information.]{.underline}** Contact Lori Stalbaum, U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration on Aging
(AoA), Washington, D.C. 20201; telephone: (202) 357-3452; e-mail:
<Lori.Stalbaum@aoa.gov>

**2. Priority Area Description**

[a. AoA-03-07 A -- Background on Priority Area]{.underline}

Social and demographic trends are making information and assistance
increasingly important to the average American family. There are
approximately 45 million older Americans 60 years of age and older, with
persons 85 years of age and older among the fastest growing segments in
the country. Alzheimer's disease (AD) affects as many as 4 million
Americans. Most people diagnosed with AD are over 65, however, it is
possible for the disease to occur in people in their 40's and 50's.
Recent research has shown links between some genes and AD but in about
90% of cases there is no clear genetic link. The majority of the elderly
population with AD and related dementia need some help with their daily
activities. Most of the people with AD receive care at home from family
and friends. Caring for people with dementia is a time-consuming and
demanding responsibility.

Every day families are making tremendous sacrifices to provide care and
support needed by their older relatives. Almost always, the provision of
care is willingly provided and motivated by love, respect and concern.
This care, however, is provided at a significant cost to the caregiver,
not only in financial terms but also in increased emotional stress and
health risks.

Research has created promising new approaches for working with persons
with AD and their caregivers. Experience has taught families and
caregivers new behavioral approaches that encourage greater independence
and reduce disturbing behavior. Through the work of the 33 state
grantees in the Alzheimer's Disease Demonstration Grants to States
(ADDGS) program now funded by the Administration on Aging (AoA), new
dementia-specific approaches to early identification, treatment, and
community-based care have been developed. These projects have been
especially successful in working with low-income, ethnic minority and
rural families.

[b. AoA-03-07 A - Project Objectives]{.underline}

AoA plans to award a cooperative agreement to support the operation of a
National Alzheimer's Call Center accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a
week. The National Alzheimer's Call Center will provide personalized,
professional information and care consultation service available
nationwide at all times, at the national and local level. The Call
Center is not designed to serve health care providers or other
professionals, as other existing resources are available for assisting
health care providers and other professionals to learn about and respond
to issues facing the victims of Alzheimer's disease.

The Call Center will provide Alzheimer's patients and their caregivers
with information and counseling services. A hallmark of the Call Center
will be its capacity to provide personalized assistance at the local
level. Information may include basic information on caregiving; handling
legal issues; resources for long-distance caregiving; and tips for
working with the medical community; plus other topic areas of concern to
Alzheimer's patients, their caregivers, and the general public.
Counseling services will be constantly available to help those with
emergency needs as well as those who are struggling with the impact of
Alzheimer's disease on an on-going basis. Counseling services will
provide consumers with immediate access to help in times of crises with
the capability to refer callers directly to local services. The Call
Center will link to and build upon, but not duplicate, the work of local
Alzheimer's Chapters and other local agencies and organizations involved
in providing services and support to the victims of Alzheimer's disease.

The Call Center will be staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Trained professional customer service staff and masters degree social
workers will be immediately available at all times. The Call Center will
have multilingual capacity and will respond to inquiries in at least 140
languages through its own bilingual staff and with the use of a language
translation service. The Call Center will be accessible by telephone,
website or e-mail address at no cost to the caller.

Public contact with Call Center staff will occur through a single 1-800
number, website, and e-mail address. The Call Center staff will maintain
24/7 availability, and will be able to provide professional care
consultation and crisis intervention round-the-clock. During regular
business hours, calls to the 1-800 number will be routed to local
service agencies prepared to offer detailed information, immediate
counseling services, including crisis counseling, and follow through.
After regular business hours, and on weekends, the Grantee will maintain
constant staffing of The Call Center ensuring that information and
counseling is available to consumers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The
Call Center will have the capability of serving long distance caregivers
through telephone conferencing and transfer capabilities between
caregiver's and the family members communities.

The Call Center will represent a distinct capacity that goes above and
beyond the basic information, referral and assistance provided by AoA's
Eldercare Locator. The Eldercare Locator is a nationwide toll-free
service that helps older adults and their caregivers find local services
for seniors. It is our expectation that Call Center staff will work in
close coordination with Eldercare Locator staff. By the end of the
second quarter of the first year, a formalized plan will be developed
describing how the two efforts will be coordinated.

To maintain consistently high professional service, all Call Center
staff, at both the national and local level, will receive rigorous
consistent training and retraining as needed. Care consultant staff will
meet regularly for case reviews. To assure accurate, consistent,
up-to-date information is provided to all callers nationwide, Call
Center staff, at both the national and local level, will utilize a
computer-based central repository of resources with information on many
topics, clinical protocols, and standardized fulfillment packages that
are developed and continually updated by dementia experts.

Rigid quality control and continuous quality improvement will require
all calls are documented to ensure callers receive the help and
follow-through they need to resolve both crisis situations and
difficulties from coping with the illness on a day-to-day basis. This
will allow for local referral as well as data analysis of demographics,
nature of inquiries, and adequacy of responses. Quarterly reports will
identify needs for retraining or changes in procedures. Caller surveys
and data analysis will identify emerging issues and evolving needs for
new materials and services.

Successful applicant must be able to perform the following:

**[National Infrastructure]{.underline}**

-   Demonstrate extensive knowledge in the field of Alzheimer's disease
    and have a proven track record in providing information and
    assistance to older persons, their family members and informal
    caregivers; and have substantial organizational resources to support
    this effort. It is expected that an expertise in the field of
    Alzheimer's disease will be integral to the applicant's
    organizational mission.

-   Maintain a national network of organizations that are effectively
    linked together and supported by a national office with the
    overarching capability of automatically linking consumers to local
    entities that are prepared to provide accurate information,
    counseling services, including crisis counseling, and detailed
    follow through.

-   Ability to have calls to the 1-800 number seamlessly diverted,
    during regular business hours, to a local agent with a strong
    background, knowledge and access to local programs that will
    immediately provide the consumer with the information or counseling,
    including crisis intervention, needed.

-   Capability to help consumers with emergency needs as well as those
    struggling with the impact or effects of Alzheimer's disease and
    other dementias on an on-going basis in a professional, responsive
    manner at all times, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

###### Telephone Service Operations

-   Highly trained information specialists will receive telephone
    inquiries 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Live information
    specialists will be available to callers in English and in Spanish
    to respond to written and e-mail inquiries. Other services will also
    need to be provided. For example, grantee should have the ability to
    add additional information specialists in times of high call volume
    due to promotional efforts or media coverage; grantee should have
    access to translators fluent in other languages on an as needed
    basis utilizing language line services such as AT&T language line;
    and information specialists should be able to answer calls promptly.

-   Grantee shall use the National Alzheimer's Call Center publications,
    and other approved materials, to provide answers and referrals to
    users of the Call Center.

-   Grantee shall have the capacity to provide information counseling
    and supportive services. In the event of an inquiry from a caller in
    crisis, the grantee will have the capability of transferring calls
    to appropriate local providers for immediate intervention services
    and subsequent follow through at the local level. Call Center
    referrals to crisis intervention, local services, or other referral
    agencies with the National Alzheimer's Call Center database will be
    transferred at no cost to the caller.

-   Grantee shall implement quality control procedures to ensure the
    accuracy, appropriateness, understandability, sensitivity,
    convenience, and overall quality of responses.

**[Telecommunications]{.underline}**

-   The telephone system must have the capability to add new lines, to
    hold callers in queue, forward numbers to the first available
    Information Specialist, and the ability to transfer callers to
    referral agencies at no cost to the caller.

-   A text telephone/communication device for the deaf (TTY) shall be
    able to use communications software and TTY modem equipment so that
    TTY calls can be received through the computer independent of a TTY
    machine.

-   In addition to telephone equipment and a voice mail system, the Call
    Center Grantee will be expected to have in place or implement a
    program for recording and analyzing phone activity.

###### Information Specialist(s) Staffing and Training

-   All Information Specialists, at both the national and local levels,
    responding to inquiries must have knowledge of AoA, Alzheimer's
    disease and related dementias, the Aging Network, Older Americans
    Act programs and services, and issues of importance (i.e., disease
    prevention, respite) to older Americans and their caregivers.

-   National and local staff will be trained customer service
    professionals and masters degree social workers. Trained staff will
    be available at all times. Training will be provided to all staff
    members before they respond to inquiries. Refresher training courses
    shall also be conducted periodically.

-   To ensure quality and consistency of service, standards of training
    for all new Information Specialists, at the national and local
    levels, will be established, included specific training requirements
    that must be met before Information Specialists respond to
    inquiries.

-   Staff responding to calls will possess outstanding telephone skills
    and techniques enabling them to respond to inquiries in a positive
    and professional manner.

-   Continuing education in the field of Alzheimer's disease or systems
    management will be provided to Information Specialist to ensure up
    to date competency in the field.

**[Inquiry Database Management System (IDMS)]{.underline}**

-   The IDMS will provide an electronic record of telephone, e-mail, and
    mail requests received.

-   Hardware, software, and networking architecture will be provided for
    easy access to archival data for report purposes, with separation
    from current records, to ensure real time processing and response
    time.

-   IDMS must be capable of providing analytical data in table, graph or
    chart formation, and graphical reports.

-   Equipment and software platform must be compatible with AoA
    operating systems, which are Windows operating systems. Access by
    authorized AoA staff will be included.

-   Maintain the security of the IDMS, including prevention of
    unauthorized access to and alteration of the data. Provide backup of
    the IDMS and any other systems developed in support of this
    cooperative agreement to enable disaster recovery in case of
    catastrophic loss of data through hardware malfunctions or by
    external causes (e.g., fire, flood). All medium used for disaster
    recovery (i.e., tapes, CDs) will be the property of AoA.

###### Promotional Activities and Outreach

-   Develop a marketing plan to increase awareness and usage of the
    National Alzheimer's Call Center.

-   Ensure plan includes a strategy to promote and market the Call
    Center to consumers to minority populations including members of
    disadvantaged populations and limited-English speaking populations.

-   Ensure that plan includes the development of a logo, brochure, and
    other promotional items.

**AoA-03-07 B: Eldercare Locator Program and the National Aging
Information &**

**Referral Support Center**

**1. Background**

**[Statutory Authority.]{.underline}** The statutory authority for
grants under this program announcement is contained in Titles II and IV
of the Older Americans Act, (42 U.S.C. 3001 et seq.), as amended by the
Older Americans Act Amendments of 2000 (P.L. 106-501).

**[Application Due Date.]{.underline}** The deadline date for submission
of applications under this program announcement is August 15, 2003.

**[Project Funding, Duration and Match.]{.underline}** AoA plans to fund
one cooperative agreement through this competition. Number range
CHAPTERThis award is a cooperative agreement because the Administration
on Aging will be substantially involved in the development and execution
of the activities of the grantee. The Administration on Aging shall
carry out the following activities under this cooperative agreement:
collaborate with the Eldercare Locator Program and the National
Information and Referral Support Center in the development, modification
and execution of their work plan; provide use of the Eldercare Locator
database for use in carrying out the program; provide technical advice
in the development of Eldercare Locator public awareness materials;
provide technical advice to the grantee in the development of all aging
information and referral training and technical assistance materials;
work with the grantee in developing sessions and identifying speakers
for the annual National Aging Symposium; work jointly with grantee to
develop a plan to promote the Eldercare Locator to consumers, caregivers
and other entities; assist in identifying experts to serve on all
project advisory committees; and participate actively in all advisory
group meetings. The grantee shall carry out the following activities
under this cooperative agreement: collaborate with the Administration on
Aging in the development, modification, and execution of the Eldercare
Locator Program and the National Information and Referral Support Center
work plan; work with the Administration on Aging in developing
information and referral technical assistance materials to assist State
and Area Agencies on Aging; conduct joint information and referral
trainings with the Administration on Aging; and provide advice and
suggestions to the Administration on Aging on suggested improvements and
modifications to the Eldercare Locator Service.

The project will be funded at a federal share of approximately
\$1,175,000 per year for a project period of five years, contingent on
the availability of federal funds. Grantees are required to cover at
least 25% of the total program cost from non-federal cash or in-kind
resources. Contributions must be at least one (1) dollar in non-federal
cash or in-kind resources for every three (3) dollars received in
federal funding. See instructions on AoA match requirement in the
Instructions Section. Applications for funding beyond the initial budget
period will be reviewed on a non-competitive basis. Continuation is
subject to the availability of funds, grantee's satisfactory progress
and a determination that continued funding will be in the best interest
of the government.

**[Eligible Applicants.]{.underline}** Public and/or nonprofit agencies
and organizations, including faith-based and community-based
organizations, are eligible to apply under this program announcement. To
be considered for funding, applicants must demonstrate current knowledge
of the Eldercare Locator, extensive knowledge in providing information &
assistance to older persons and their caregivers, extensive knowledge of
the Aging Services Network, and experience in providing training and
technical assistance to that Network.

**[Priority Target Populations and Organizations.]{.underline}**
Applicants must involve community-based organizations in the marketing
and outreach of the Eldercare Locator Program. Applicants must also
include disadvantaged populations, including limited-English speaking
populations, as a target population for their proposed outreach and
marketing strategies.

**[For Further Information]{.underline}**. Contact: Sherri Clark, U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Aging,
Washington, DC 20201, telephone: (202) 357-3506, e-mail:
<sherri.clark@aoa.gov>

**Priority Area Description**

> [AoA-03-07 B. -- Background on Priority Area]{.underline}

Social and demographic trends are making information and assistance
increasingly important to older persons and their families. There are
approximately 45 million older Americans 60 years of age and older, with
persons 85 years of age and older among the fastest growing segments in
the country. Today, older persons face a complicated array of choices
and decisions about community services, health insurance, housing, and
long-term care. Navigating these various systems can be very frustrating
and confusing for older adults and their family members.

It is also a very mobile society; families are spread across the nation.
So when an older family relative who lives thousands of miles away needs
help, it can be difficult to know what to do and where to turn to get
the help the older person needs. Older persons and their caregivers need
to know how to link to services.

Older Americans Act (OAA) Information and Assistance network helps
connect older persons and their caregivers to local resources. The
Eldercare Locator program was created to help link older persons and
their caregivers to that network. The program established an 800 number,
1-800-677-1116, to assist older persons. The Eldercare Locator program
currently provides assistance to over 130,000 persons a year. The
National Aging Information & Referral Support Center (the Support
Center) was established to assists states, area agencies on aging, and
local aging information & referral/assistance (I&R/A) providers to
enhance the quality and professionalism of their information and
assistance system. The Support Center provides comprehensive information
and technical assistance on a myriad of issues relating to I&R and aging
programs.

In November 2001, AoA launched an Eldercare Locator website,
[www.eldercare.gov](http://www.eldercare.gov/), to provide individuals
24/7 access to information on available state and local resources. A
major effort to update and expand the Eldercare Locator website database
began in 2003 and is expected to be completed by early summer 2003. The
new database will provide the Eldercare Locator program and the Support
Center up-to-date information to assists older persons, caregivers, and
professionals.

2.  [AoA-03-07 B - Project Objectives.]{.underline}

AoA plans to award a cooperative agreement for the continued operation
and expansion of the Eldercare Locator program and the National Aging
Information & Referral Support Center. Successful applicant must:

> **[Eldercare Locator Operation]{.underline}**

-   Ensure continued operation of the Eldercare Locator Program at no
    less then the current level. Information on current level of
    operation, including statistical data may be obtained by contacting
    Sherri Clark at 202/357-3506 or at <sherri.clark@aoa.gov>.

-   Establish a system to handle and respond to mail and e-mail requests
    for assistance.

-   Ensure that all information specialists responding to inquiries have
    been properly trained and at a minimum, have knowledge of AoA, the
    Aging Network, Older Americans Act programs and services, and issues
    of importance to older persons and their caregivers.

-   Provide continuing education as new information or new systems
    becomes available.

-   Ensure that at least one (1) information specialist is fluent in
    Spanish to respond to inquiries. Explore the ability to access
    translators fluent in other languages on an as needed basis
    utilizing language line.

-   Develop an inquiry management system to analyze inquiries to the
    Eldercare Locator program provide monthly statistical reports to
    AoA.

-   Update the Eldercare Locator database as needed. The new database
    will become the sole database used by the call center. The database
    provides the capability for State and Area Agencies on Aging to
    update their own data on-line so limited updating is anticipated.

######## Promoting the Eldercare Locator Program

-   Develop a plan to increase awareness and usage of the Eldercare
    Locator Program. Plan should include a strategy to promote the
    Eldercare Locator Program to consumers, the Aging Network, business,
    non-profits, and others.

-   Ensure plan includes efforts to reach out to minority populations
    and minority organizations to increase their awareness of the
    Locator service.

-   Ensure that plan includes the development of a logo, brochure, and
    other promotional items.

**[Eldercare Locator Program Advisory Committees]{.underline}**

-   Establish an Eldercare Locator program Advisory Committee, in
    consultation with AoA to provide insight and guidance on the future
    direction of the service. Advisory committee should explore issues
    surrounding goals and vision, inclusion/exclusion, and technology.
    Committee must include representatives from Federal agencies, State
    and Area Agencies on Aging, non-profit organizations, and business.
    Committee not to exceed 20 members.

-   Committee should meet at least twice year.

-   Establish an American Indian Advisory Panel to explore the
    feasibility of including Native American resources in the Eldercare
    Locator program. Membership in the advisory panel should be made in
    consultation with the Director of the Office for American Indian,
    Alaskan Native and Native Hawaiian Programs at AoA. The advisory
    panel is to prepare and submit a report to AoA with recommendations.
    Committee not to exceed 10 members.

> **[Program Development and Enhancements]{.underline}**

-   Develop a procedures manual to outline Eldercare Locator program
    operations. Manual should include reference materials to assists
    information specialists better serve callers.

-   Work with the soon to be established AoA funded Pension Counseling
    Technical Assistance Project to explore how the Eldercare Locator
    program could support and enhance efforts by the project to
    establish a national pension counseling Call Center.

## National Aging Information & Referral Support Center

-   Operate a National Aging Information & Referral Support Center to
    provide technical assistance (TA) and training to the aging network
    to improve and enhance aging information & referral (I&R) systems.

-   Maintain, expand, and enhance existing information resources by
    collecting and analyzing information concerning aging I&R programs,
    policies, programmatic practices, quality enhancement activities,
    systems enhancements, and other program components.

-   Maintain a database of State I&R liaisons to facilitate
    communications with key state contacts.

-   Develop a series of protocols, which will provide Eldercare Locator
    Program Staff with guidance on how to respond to various inquiries.
    These protocols are to be incorporated into the Eldercare Locator
    Program procedures manual.

## 

## Provide TA and guidance to State and Area Agencies on Aging interested in 

## establishing or enhancing "one-stop shop" entry points or single entry points for aging services.

-   Provide TA and guidance, as needed, to the AoA/CMS Aging and
    Disability Resource Centers established under program announcement
    AoA-03-05.

-   Utilizing a myriad of methods including but not limited to
    trainings, presentations, teleconferences, and the Web, conduct TA
    activities for the aging network.

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-   Provide TA and training to States and Area Agencies on Aging on such
    topics as:

    -   Basic I&R specialist training;

    -   Improving the coordination of aging network programs;

    -   Developing a seamless I&R delivery system;

    -   I&R system assessments;

    -   Single entry points; and

    -   I&R specialist certification

-   Coordinate the National Aging Symposium convened in conjunction with
    the national training conference of the Alliance for Information &
    Referral Systems (AIRS). Tasks include:

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-   working with AIRS

-   developing sessions and identifying the presenters

-   make arrangements for trainer travel to conference

-   Conduct a one-day retreat for State aging I&R liaisons and a retreat
    for area agency on aging personnel. The retreats should be
    coordinated with the appropriate national associations representing
    state and area agencies on aging.

Establish an advisory committee made up of state and area agencies on
aging to help guide the work of the resource center.

**AoA-03-07 C: Evidence-Based Prevention Program**

**1. Background**

**[Statutory Authority]{.underline}**

The statutory authority for grants under this program announcement is
contained in Title IV of the Older Americans Act, (42U.S.C. 3001 et
seq.) as amended by the Older Americans Act of 2000, P.L. 106-501
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance 93.048Title IV, Discretionary
Projects).

**[Application Due Date]{.underline}**

The deadline date for submission of applications under this program
announcement is August 15, 2003. To assist AoA in managing the grant
review process for this grant program, potential applicants are
encouraged to submit a letter of intent to apply for an Evidence-Based
Prevention Demonstration Program grant that identifies the subject area
of the proposed intervention (e.g., nutrition) not later than 15 days
after the publication of this announcement in the Federal Register.

**[Project Funding, Duration and Match.]{.underline}**

AoA plans to fund approximately six (6) to eight (8) projects under this
competition at a federal share of approximately \$200,000 to \$250,000
per year for a project period of up to three years. More projects may be
funded if additional funds become available. Funding beyond the first
year is subject to the availability of funds and satisfactory progress
of the grantee. Grantees are required to cover at least 25% of total
program costs from non-federal cash or in-kind resources\--see
instructions on AoA match requirements in Section III.A.

**[Eligible Applicants.]{.underline}**

Local public and/or nonprofit community-based service provider
organizations, including Area Agencies on Aging, faith-based
organizations and Tribal organizations, that primarily provide home and
community-based social and/or nutritional services to older persons and
are funded at least in part through the Older Americans Act are eligible
to apply under this announcement.

**[Priority Target Populations and Organizations.]{.underline}**

Projects funded under this announcement must target older individuals
with a chronic disease or condition, or individuals who are at
significant risk of a chronic disease or condition. These chronic
diseases or conditions, or the risks for these diseases or conditions,
should be mitigated or decreased by the proposed evidence-based
intervention. Applicants must include persons targeted for priority
service in the Older Americans Act, including limited-English speaking
populations, those in greatest social or economic need, and rural or
medically underserved populations, as part of the target population for
their proposed intervention.

**[For Further Information]{.underline}**

Contact: Donald Grantt, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,
Administration on Aging, Washington, DC 20201, Telephone: (202)
357-3447, e-mail: <Donald.Grantt@aoa.gov> .

**2. Priority Area Description**

# a. [AoA-03-07 C -- Background on Priority Area]{.underline}

This demonstration program supports President Bush's HealthierUS
initiative and is consistent with the goals and activities of other HHS
health promotion and disease prevention programs, including Healthy
People 2010, the Healthy Aging Project, and various demonstrations and
research projects funded by NIA, CDC, AHRQ, CMS, and SAMHSA. The
demonstrations also build on and complement many privately funded health
promotion and disease prevention programs, including the "National
Blueprint: Increasing Physical Activity Among Adults Aged 50 and Older,"
and other projects developed and supported by the Hartford Foundation,
the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and other organizations. This
demonstration program is also designed to complement other AoA health
promotion and disease prevention activities including Steps to Healthy
Aging, the Aging States Project, Project Reach for the Elderly, the
Elderly Nutrition Program, the OAA Disease Prevention and Health
Promotion Services Program (III-D), the Initiative to Eliminate Racial
and Ethnic Disparities in Health, and other projects.

Chronic diseases and conditions afflict most elderly people at some
point in their lives. Four out of five older adults have a chronic
condition and many experience limitations in activities due to such
conditions. Eighty percent of the "illness burden" in the United States
is the result of chronic illness occurring between the age of 55 and
death. Among the most common or severe chronic conditions affecting
persons aged 65+ are hypertension (37%), heart disease (15%), arthritis
(48%), diabetes (10%), hearing impairments (32%), and major depression
(5-10%). Seventy percent of older adults have more than one chronic
condition. Co-morbidity puts people at greater risk of functional
decline and raises health care utilization and costs. Increases in the
prevalence of chronic conditions and co-morbidity are leading to a
growing number of older persons with functional limitations. In 1994,
nearly 40% of older adults living in the community reported limitations
in function due to chronic conditions.

There is substantial and growing evidence of the efficacy of proactive
management of chronic diseases and conditions with special attention to
risk factors, health promotion, and preventing or delaying the
progression of disability. Successful care management of chronic
conditions requires a team approach. Community Aging Services Provider
(CASP) organizations, working with healthcare provider organizations,
are uniquely positioned to play a major role in assuring the
availability and utilization of evidence-based disability and disease
prevention programs for older people. Aging Services Network CASPs are
particularly suited to reach the underserved elderly who often need such
programs the most.

CASP organizations are convenient, well respected, low in cost, and are
already successfully serving large numbers of older adults in the
community. It is estimated that there are over 29,000 CASP organizations
around the country serving over 7 million older adults each year.
Examples of CASP organizations include: senior centers, adult day
service centers, senior housing, nutrition service providers,
multi-purpose agencies, and faith based service agencies. Many of the
older adults served by CASP organizations have limited incomes, live
alone, belong to minority groups, have ADLs and IADLs, or are
disadvantaged in other ways that put them at elevated risk of disease or
increased disability that can be addressed through disease prevention
programs.

For purposes of this demonstration program, the term "evidence-based
prevention programs," means interventions that are based on evidence
that is generated by scientific studies published in peer-reviewed
journals. One source of such evidence includes HHS sponsored research
funded by the National Institutes of Health (including NIA), CDC
(including work in the Healthy Aging Research Network CDC's Prevention
Research Centers), AHRQ, CMS and SAMHSA. Sources of evidence such as
studies performed by universities or other research organizations are
also acceptable.

There is now evidence documenting the effectiveness of risk factor
interventions related to physical activity, nutrition, smoking
cessation, medication management, falls prevention, and disease
self-management. Some of the research and other helpful information such
as evaluation procedures and potential partners can be obtained from the
web sites of the following agencies:

-   The National Institute on Aging (NIA)

> <http://www.nia.nih.gov/>

-   NIH Office of Behavioral and Social Science Research (OBSSR)

> [**http://www1.od.nih.gov/behaviorchange/index.htm**](http://www1.od.nih.gov/behaviorchange/index.htm)

-   NIH CRISP Database

> <http://crisp.cit.nih.gov/>

-   The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

> <http://www.cdc.gov/aging>

-   The Agency for Health Research and Quality (AHRQ)

> <http://www.ahcpr.gov/clinic/epcquick.htm>

-   The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
    <http://www.cms.hhs.gov/healthyaging>

-   The Community Guide at CDC

> [www.thecommunityguide.org](outbind://7-00000000F2ABB5B6D49DED4197722338DB8A223A0700B7C0A3811F83D3118AD000A0C9E47941000002D46BD70000B7C0A3811F83D3118AD000A0C9E47941000002D46C8B0000/www.thecommunityguide.org)

-   The National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR)\
    <http://www.nih.gov/ninr/>

    -   U.S. Preventive Services Task Force

> [www.preventiveservices.ahrq.gov](outbind://7-00000000F2ABB5B6D49DED4197722338DB8A223A0700B7C0A3811F83D3118AD000A0C9E47941000002D46BD70000B7C0A3811F83D3118AD000A0C9E47941000002D46C8B0000/www.preventiveservices.ahrq.gov)

With these sources as a starting point, applicants will find references
to much of the current knowledge related to the subject area that they
select. However, applicants should not limit themselves to these
websites alone since there is a great deal of information published and
available in other places that will be useful and appropriate.

b\. [AoA-03-07 C -- Project Objectives]{.underline}

The objectives of the demonstration grants program are to:

-   Show how the Aging Services Network can improve the quality,
    effectiveness, availability, and convenience of evidence-based
    disability and disease prevention programs for the elderly.

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-   Strengthen coordination and teamwork between the Aging Services
    Network community services providers and health care providers to
    improve health and reduce functional decline among older adults.

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-   Provide information on the costs of establishing and operating
    effective disease prevention activities through the Aging Services
    Network.

Many of the Community Aging Services Provider organizations in the Aging
Services Network currently provide health promotion and prevention
programs that can improve the health of elderly persons, including
programs that offer health screening and targeted disease prevention
services (directly or by referral). This demonstration program, together
with heightened interest by many public and private agencies and a
growing demand for these services by the elderly, sets the stage for
expanding the role of the Aging Services Network in providing effective
disability and disease prevention programs for the elderly.

**[Subject Areas]{.underline}:** Under this grants program, AoA plans to
award at least one demonstration project in each of the following
subject areas (assuming that acceptable applications are submitted in
each of these areas):

-   Nutrition (including the role of nutrition in the maintenance of
    healthy and appropriate body weight, and control of heart disease,
    hypertension, diabetes, arthritis, etc.)

-   Physical activity (including flexibility and balance,
    cardiovascular, and strength training)

-   Smoking cessation

-   Medication management

-   Disease self-management (i.e., diabetes, hypertension, heart
    disease, arthritis, etc.)

-   Falls prevention

While we recognize that some demonstrations may contain elements of more
than one of the above subject areas, applicants must designate one of
these subject areas as the **primary focus** of their intervention.
Where such concurrent activities are present, evaluation plans must take
account of potential confusion as to the effects of services related to
the primary intervention category.

No organization may apply for more than one grant from this priority
area. Applicants must clearly indicate which one of the above subject
areas (e.g. "physical activity" or "medication management") they propose
to address in the "Summary/Abstract" component of the application. In
addition, on the Form 424 you should indicate the subject area in the
box in the upper right hand corner marked "APPLICATION IDENTIFIER."

**[Research Translation Focus]{.underline}:** Through this grants
program, AoA wants to demonstrate how existing research can be
translated into useful programs that can be delivered at a reasonable
cost at the community level through the Aging Services Network. Research
studies on disability and disease prevention often demonstrate positive
effects on program participants. However, this research is often
conducted in relatively defined sets of circumstances and for limited
numbers of participants (e.g., programs delivered in hospital settings).
Applicants for these grants must propose to demonstrate how **existing**
research based interventions can be effectively provided through Aging
Services Network programs. In other words, if the intervention worked in
a research or health care setting, can it be made to work in a CASP
setting (and at what cost)? Applicants must explicitly describe the
"translation" that they will attempt to demonstrate. The evaluation must
indicate whether or not the results from the initial research are
maintained in the demonstration in the Aging Services Network setting.

These demonstrations may build on existing health promotion or disease
prevention programs targeted to a general elderly population that has
not been identified on the basis of individual risk. However, the
demonstrations proposed for funding under this program [must be
selective preventive interventions]{.underline} targeted to individuals
whose risk of developing or exacerbating a disease is significantly
higher than average (i.e., based on an assessment of each individual's
health risks). The interventions must go substantially beyond providing
clients with the results of an assessment of health risk coupled with
written advice or a single counseling session, and the risk factor must
be more than age itself.

**[Rationale for Selected Intervention:]{.underline}** Applicants must
provide a clear and concise description of the rationale for the
intervention selected, and demonstrate in their application a thorough
understanding of the extant research literature that provides the
specific evidence base for the efficacy of their proposed intervention.
This should include information on factors that are related to the
success or failure of similar disease prevention efforts at the
community level (particularly for elderly persons) when such information
is available, including relevant literature citations. Applicants may
also include in their rationale factors such as: "lessons learned" for
similar projects previously tested in your community, or in other areas
of the country; factors in the larger environment that have created the
"right conditions" for the intervention (e.g., existing social, economic
or political factors that you'll be able to take advantage of, etc.).
Applicants should also note any major barriers that may be encountered,
and how the proposed project will be able to overcome those barriers.

For each evidence-based disability and disease prevention program,
describe in detail the evidence-based prevention intervention and
associated activities, such as:

-   Outreach and engagement of target population for prevention.

-   Screening, assessment, and referral.

-   Procedures to ensure participant confidentiality (including IRB
    approval, if required)

-   Health-related interventions to be implemented.

-   Integration/linkage with primary health care, if applicable.

-   Training and ongoing technical assistance by prevention experts.

    Describe how the prevention interventions addresses:

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-   Risk and/or protective factors specific to the target population.

-   Targeted domains (individual person, family, peers, community).

-   Strategies for promoting fidelity to specific evidence-based
    interventions such as: (1) partnership with or formal training from
    the designer of the intervention or similar experts, (2) use of an
    available manual, and (3) ongoing consultation during the
    implementation of the intervention.

-   Strategies for consultation to address ongoing implementation
    problems or concerns.

-   Process for obtaining measures of quality and completeness of
    implementation, including intervention fidelity*.*

-   Process for obtaining outcome measures.

**[Target Population:]{.underline}** Applicants must describe their
target population(s) in terms of:

-   Sociodemographic characteristics, including racial/ethnic minority
    composition.

-   Population size and geographic distribution.

-   Number to be served by the program.

-   Estimated unmet need.

-   Risk factors for this age group that will be addressed by the
    preventive intervention, or the disease or disability addressed by
    the intervention strategies.

-   The domain(s) where the risk factors will be addressed (e.g.,
    persons with or without specific conditions).

**[Partnerships:]{.underline}** We require that there be a full
partnership among the four types of separate organizations noted below.
Applications are sought for demonstrations that involve key community
organizations as full partners in the design, implementation, and
evaluation of their project including at a minimum:

-   A [CASP]{.underline} organization to provide the Evidence-Based
    Prevention services, to coordinate elderly client access to the
    prevention services, and to coordinate service components from other
    providers, such as health care providers.

    -   An [AAA]{.underline} to help assure that the program is linked
        to appropriate collateral services and participants in the Aging
        Services Network including other public and private community
        partners, and to help promote the adoption and expansion of
        successful programs in the community.

> **[EXCEPTIONS TO THE AAA PARNER REQUIREMENT]{.underline}:**

If the applicant is an Indian Tribal Organization, the organization may,
but is not required to coordinate with an Area Agency on Aging. However,
if no AAA is included, the applicant must address in its narrative how
the activities the AAA would otherwise perform will be executed.

-   If the applicant is within a Single Planning and Service Area state,
    the applicant must also address in its narrative how the role of the
    State Agency on Aging will substitute for the AAA role.

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-   A [health care provider organization]{.underline} or health plan to
    assure the quality and appropriateness of the health components of
    the program and to enhance and promote the coordination of a more
    comprehensive and appropriate service provision between the social
    service aging network and the health care service system.

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-   A [research organization]{.underline}, such as an institution of
    higher learning or

> a CDC Prevention Research Center
> (<http://www.cdc.gov/aging/health_statistics.htm> ), to assist with
> the translation of the evidence-based disease prevention research into
> the program design and in the training, evaluation, cost assessment,
> and other technical aspects of the demonstration.

**No organization may fulfill more than one of the four required
partnership roles noted above.**

Additional partners, such as Local Health Departments and foundations
may be

proposed.

**[Design/Costs]{.underline}:** These demonstrations should aim to serve
a substantial number of chronically impaired, or at risk, older people
at a cost that permits and encourages replication by CASPs throughout
the Aging Services Network. The demonstrations should provide enough
service on a sustained basis to have a substantial effect on program
participants. The demonstrations are expected to remain in the realm of
prevention and should not include payment for basic medical treatment.
However, the demonstrations can [refer]{.underline} clients to or
coordinate with medical treatment paid for from sources outside of the
grant.

**At least 80% of the federal funds under this program must be used in
the provision of prevention services to the elderly clients of the
demonstrations.** In other words, not more than 20% of the total federal
demonstration funds can be used for community coalition/partnership
building and maintenance and project evaluation activities. Year-to year
variations over the three-year period are allowable since sufficient
coordination and program evaluation may require more funds during the
first and last years than 20% of that year's budget. However, the total
expenditure over the three years **must not** exceed 20% of the total
budget. Applicants may use outside funding from a public or private
community organization, private foundation or other entity to provide
more services or to extend the planning and evaluation functions beyond
those limitations described above, as long as such additional funds
exceed the required match.

**Evaluation:** Project evaluation plans must be substantially detailed
in the application and include at least the following:

-   A formative learning / continuous quality improvement process that
    can inform other grantees under this program and other organizations
    interested in replicating the project. The project period for these
    demonstrations is sufficiently long that the programs have ample
    opportunities to improve their effectiveness and efficiency over
    time. The evaluation must enable the documentation and reporting of
    program changes and the (positive or negative) effects of changes
    for the participants.

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-   An evaluation of the effects (e.g., knowledge, behavior,
    self-reported health status, and satisfaction) of the intervention
    on the older person and/or their family that provides an indication
    that the original effect of the evidence-based research model has or
    has not been maintained.

As noted above, a major purpose of this grants program is to demonstrate
the feasibility of implementing similar interventions throughout a broad
range of Aging Services Network organizations nationwide. The evaluation
plan must explicitly indicate how the evaluation "translates" general
research on disability and disease prevention into programs that the
Aging Services Network can implement. While some of the evaluated
measurements and effects may be similar to those used in previous
research, please keep in mind that the objective here is not to
replicate previous research but to create and to evaluate practical
applications of existing research.

**AoA-03-07 D: Evidence-Based Prevention Programs for the Elderly --
National Resource Center**

**1. Background**

**[Statutory Authority]{.underline}**

The statutory authority for grants under this program announcement is
contained in Title IV of the Older Americans Act, (42U.S.C. 3001 et
seq.) as amended by the Older Americans Act of 2000, P.L. 106-501
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance 93.048Title IV, Discretionary
Projects).

**[Application Due Date]{.underline}**

The deadline date for submission of applications under this program
announcement is August 15, 2003.

**[Project Funding, Duration and Match.]{.underline}**

AoA plans to fund one (1) project as a cooperative agreement at a
federal share of up to \$500,000 per year for a project period of up to
three years. Funding beyond the first year is subject to the
availability of funds and satisfactory progress of the grantee. Grantees
are required to cover at least 25% of total program costs from
non-federal cash or in-kind resources\--see instructions on AoA match
requirements in Section III.A.

**[Eligible Applicants.]{.underline}**

Nonprofit national organizations with a demonstrated expertise in
implementing evidence-based prevention programs for the elderly and in
working with community-level aging services provider organizations.

**[Priority Target Populations and Organizations.]{.underline}**

The grantee will provide technical assistance nationwide to:

-   The [Evidence-Based Prevention Demonstration]{.underline} grantees
    that result from the program described in section AoA-03-07 C

-   of this announcement.

-   Other Aging Services Network organizations that request technical
    assistance in starting similar projects for the elderly or have the
    potential to start such programs.

-   AoA in the further development of its Evidence-Based Prevention
    Programs.

**[For Further Information]{.underline}**. Contact: Donald Grantt, U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Aging,
Washington, DC 20201, Telephone: (202) 357-3447, e-mail:
<Donald.Grantt@aoa.gov> .

**2. Priority Area Description**

# a. [AoA-03-07 D-- Background on Priority Area]{.underline}

See Background on Priority Area in AoA-03-07 C above.

b\. [AoA-03-07 D -- Project Objectives]{.underline}

AoA will fund a cooperative agreement to support a National Resource
Center on Evidence-Based Prevention Programs for the Elderly (CENTER).
The CENTER will be a ready source of information and assistance on the
development of Aging Services Network intervention programs that prevent
or delay the progression of disability among the elderly. The CENTER
will provide assistance to AoA and the Aging Services Network to:

-   Implement the Evidence-Based Prevention Demonstration Grants
    described in AoA-03-07 C, including assisting the grantees in
    refining their research/demonstration designs, program
    implementation, individual and system outcome measurements, data
    collection and analysis, and program evaluations.

-   Synthesize and disseminate information from program reports and site
    visits to the Evidence-Based Prevention Demonstration Grantees to
    provide reports on progress and issues (including costs and
    replication feasibility) related to the demonstrations. Adaptations
    of these reports will be developed in conjunction with AoA and made
    available to the Aging Services Network through AoA's web site and
    other means.

-   Develop a comprehensive knowledge base for Aging Services Network
    program developers focused on intervention models for the elderly
    that prevent the progression of disability. This knowledge base will
    be available through AoA's web site.

-   Number range CHAPTERIdentify and/or construct manuals and resources
    to help providers, administrators, and consumers implement
    evidence-based disability and disease prevention programs and
    practices for older persons (available on AoA's web site, in
    addition to other means).

-   Provide direct technical assistance to Aging Services Network
    program developers focused on intervention program models for the
    elderly that prevent the onset or progression of disability.

-   Assist AoA in developing and hosting one freestanding **National
    Conference on Evidence-Based Prevention Programs for the Elderly**
    in Washington, D.C., at a time to be determined by AoA. The primary
    participants will include CASPs, the rest of the Aging Services
    Network, HHS stakeholders in disease prevention programs and
    research, and health promotion and disease prevention researchers.

**The staff of AoA and the Department will work collaboratively with the
CENTER to prioritize key issues and develop information resources to
share with program developers throughout the Aging Services Network. It
is expected that CENTER staff will produce publications to promote new
or improved evidence based interventions to prevent or slow the
progression of disabilities and/or diseases in older people. AoA will
review CENTER proposals for publications to ensure that critical issues
are appropriately identified. When publications are prepared for
release, AoA will review them for accuracy and completeness. CENTER
staff will work with AoA to develop strategies for dissemination of key
research findings and for providing some synthesis or translation of key
research findings. The Center must clear all publications and media
releases supported by this grant with AoA. The CENTER will attend and
exhibit at key national meetings identified by AoA and the applicant. In
consultation with AoA the CENTER will develop and maintain the exhibit.
The CENTER will produce an annual report listing accomplishments of the
Center, identifying topics frequently requested by users, and outlining
proposed future activities.**

The narrative component of the application for this cooperative
agreement should include a detailed explanation of how the awardee would
work in conjunction with AoA to:

-   Develop a plan that shows how the grantee will make human and
    technical resources available, as necessary, to operate a CENTER
    that would allow the acquisition and collection of a knowledge base,
    program development, and training materials related to disease
    prevention programs for the elderly.

-   Develop a Technical Advisory Group (TAG) that Number range
    CHAPTERconsists of four Aging Services Network and three disease
    prevention program experts from various parts of the country to help
    guide AoA's program development activities in disease prevention.
    Additional participants will include AoA's federal and non-federal
    national partners. The grantee will recommend and AoA will review
    the members. The functions will include identifying the information
    and knowledge most needed by the Aging Services Network to develop
    and improve the Aging Services Network's disability prevention
    programs. The CENTER will invite group members and will develop
    meeting agendas in cooperation with the AoA. The grantee will
    assemble agenda materials, make and pay for the travel arrangements
    for the technical advisory group for two meetings per year in the
    Washington, D.C. area, and prepare a report on each advisory group
    meeting, summarizing results and analyzing their implications for
    the project.

-   Operate and maintain both a toll-free phone service and a Section
    508-compliant web site with key disease prevention program
    information applicable to the Aging Services Network. Access to
    telephone and website services should be available at no cost to any
    user. The information will be accessible from the AoA web page
    either directly or by hyperlink.

-   Develop a methodology for promoting the CENTER that ensures maximum
    exposure among Aging Services Network program developers and program
    directors and service provider staff.

-   Number range CHAPTERDocument and prepare a policy analysis of
    barriers to the establishment of evidence-based disability and
    disease prevention practices for older adults throughout the Aging
    Services Network.

-   Provide technical assistance to Aging Services Network program
    developers, at all levels, focused on intervention program models
    for the elderly that prevent the progression of disability. The
    assistance is to promote and enable the implementation of effective
    disease prevention programs for the elderly. Technical assistance
    will be provided via telephone, e-mail, and in selected cases,
    on-site (with the concurrence of AoA).

-   Provide for the development of expert papers needed to support
    program development in conjunction with the AoA Project Officer.
    Areas for papers include barriers and solutions to establishing
    programs, support for community-based practice and program
    development, and review and evaluation of best practice currently
    available.

-   Help assure that AoA's Prevention Program complements and synergizes
    efforts with related major national programs, including the
    "National Blueprint: Increasing Physical Activity Among Adults Aged
    50 and Older."

-   Assure that the Director of the CENTER has expertise in the
    development of evidence-based disability and disease prevention
    programs. The Director must have the capability to effectively
    promote and advocate for the expansion of evidence-based disability
    disease prevention programs throughout the Aging Services Network.
    AoA prefers that the application propose a specific Director for
    this position and contain a commitment from that person to take the
    job if the application is successful. If a specific Director is not
    proposed in the application or if a Director must be replaced during
    the grant period, AoA must participate and concur in the selection
    of the Director.

-   A formative learning process related to CENTER user satisfaction and
    continuous quality improvement must be provided. This must include
    the effectiveness and utility to the Aging Services Network of the
    primary products of this cooperative agreement including the program
    development information, the technical assistance, and the national
    conference. A summary of this information will be available on AoA's
    web site.

Applicants must demonstrate a familiarity with the challenges and
opportunities of providing prevention services to older persons through
Community Aging Services Provider organizations in terms of:

-   Numbers and socio-demographics of older individuals who could
    benefit from various prevention services.

-   Types of prevention needed.

-   Extent of availability and use of prevention services by older
    adults today.

-   Reasons for differences in availability and use.

Applicants must also demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of:

-   The evidence-base for prevention for persons 60 years and older.

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-   Community Aging Services Provider (CASP) expertise and availability
    to provide evidence-based disability and disease prevention.

-   Types of program implementation problems that the CASPs awardees are
    likely to experience as they enhance their capacity to provide
    evidence-based disability and disease prevention programs, and the
    types of technical assistance that the CASP awardees are likely to
    need to address these problems.

-   Understanding of the types of assistance CASP awardees will need to
    conduct their local program evaluations.

-   Understanding of the cross-site collection, analysis, and reporting
    of client outcome data and other evaluation data from awardee
    program sites to be performed by the CENTER.

Applicants must:

-   Describe how technical assistance will be offered to CSAP awardees
    on an on-going and as-needed basis. Address areas of delivering
    program information and providing consultation on implementation,
    evaluation, and dissemination activities.

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-   Describe collaborating organizations and how they will be involved
    in implementing the technical assistance and other tasks.

-   Describe how technical assistance work will coordinate with and
    leverage other major initiatives in health promotion and aging.

-   Propose plans for helping CASP awardees work with local evaluation
    partners on how to collect and analyze required data. Describe how
    these data will be summarized in interim annual and final reports.

-   Provide a plan to synthesize and disseminate the knowledge base for
    evidence-based disability and disease prevention services for older
    adults that are appropriate for CASPs to offer in at least four of
    the following areas: physical activity, nutrition, depression and
    substance abuse counseling, smoking cessation, medication
    management, disease self-management, and falls prevention.

-   Propose plans to identify existing manuals and service
    implementation resources that will be used by CASP awardees and
    others to facilitate the faithful implementation of evidence-based
    disability and disease prevention services for older persons.
    Describe how these resources will address the needs of multiple
    stakeholder groups, including CASPs, other providers, quality
    improvement specialists, evaluators, funders and consumers.

-   Propose plans to identify gaps in existing materials and resources,
    develop and refine new materials and resources that will be used by
    CASP awardees and others to facilitate the faithful implementation
    of evidence-based disability and disease prevention services for
    older persons. Describe how these resources will address the needs
    of multiple stakeholder groups, including CASPs, other providers,
    quality improvement specialists, evaluators, funders and consumers.

-   Provide a plan for making all knowledge products, manuals,
    implementation resources, policy reports, information on
    evidence-based disability and disease prevention practices, products
    developed from this Prevention program, and knowledge products from
    other older adult prevention services available and accessible to
    the **CASP** Awardees and to stakeholders across the nation who are
    interested in implementing evidence-based disability and disease
    prevention services for older persons.

-   Provide a plan for providing training, workshops, presentations,
    conferences, and expert consultation to parties interested in
    adopting evidence-based disability and disease prevention.

-   Propose plans for coordinating and conducting an annual meeting of
    CASP awardees. This 2-day meeting is to be held in the Washington
    D.C., area and will include participation by the GPO and other
    Federal partners designated by the GPO. Travel expenses for the
    Program Director and Evaluator from each CASP awardee program site
    will be funded by the CASP awardee. The Technical Assistance Center
    must include all other expenses for the annual meeting budget.

-   Describe plans for preparing interim and final reports, conference
    presentations, and publications. Describe other means of
    disseminating the activities and products of the Technical
    Assistance Center, such as establishing a web site and a toll-free
    number. A description of how the public will be made aware of the
    resources available through the National Technical Assistance
    Center.

-   Describe how the aging services network and consumers will
    contribute to the dissemination of materials and resources generated
    by the Technical Assistance Center

-   Describe how the CENTER will support AoA in the development of this
    program, beyond the demonstration grants in this announcement.
    Include a description of how the CENTER will help assure that AoA's
    Evidence-Based Disability and Disease Program complements and
    synergizes efforts with major national programs, including the
    "National Blueprint: Increasing Physical Activity Among Adults Aged
    50 and Older."

Applicants must provide two evaluation plans. One plan for conducting an
evaluation of the activities of the Center. The second plan for using
evaluation data from the grantee sites in a cross-site evaluation of
CASP program sites.

The following apply to both evaluation plans:

-   Summarize the plan for evaluating the proposed implementation and
    impact of program activities.

-   Provide specific evaluation questions to be examined and hypotheses
    to be tested, if appropriate.

-   Describe the data collection plan, including:

    -   Sources of data.

    -   Data management and quality control.

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-   Describe the analytic methods to be used.

-   Indicate whether and how qualitative methods will be used.

For the cross-site evaluation plan of **CASP** program sites:

-   Describe how the Center will work with local evaluators to ensure
    that appropriate data will be collected, stored, and analyzed for
    the program sites. Describe how the results will be organized into
    an annual interim reports and a final report.

For the Technical Assistance Center Evaluation plan only:

-   Describe plans for monitoring and ensuring the quality of
    implementation of activities of the Center.

-   Discuss how data relevant to the performance of the Center will be
    collected and made available to AoA through semi-annual and annual
    reports. These data include obtaining information from stakeholder
    consensus panels about the quality and satisfaction with materials
    generated by the Center for dissemination; data on the amount of
    technical assistance provided; data on the number of programs the
    has helped to implement evidence-based disability and disease
    prevention services for older adults; and other data as requested by
    AoA, as needed.

Applicants must demonstrate their ability to carry out the proposed
program activities in terms of staffing, consultants and subcontractors
and management plans, by providing the following:

-   A description of the qualifications and experience of the key
    personnel, including:

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-   Project director.

-   Technical assistance providers and Trainers.

-   Evaluators.

-   Communication specialists.

-   Administrative and coordination resources.

-   Other key personnel.

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-   Documentation of the capability and experience of the applicant
    organization with similar projects and populations. Describe
    experience, national recognition and commitment to developing and
    advancing the field and "taking to scale" prevention / promotion
    with older adults, especially services offered by CASPs in
    collaboration with health services.

-   Evidence of the capability, experience, and commitment of proposed
    consultants and subcontractors, including letters of commitment
    (attach as Appendix). Describe previous collaborative work between
    applicant and consultants / subcontractors.

-   Documentation of previous experience in providing coordination and
    technical assistance to multi-site health promotion / prevention
    demonstrations involving community-based organizations.

-   Documentation of the applicant organization's history in fostering
    the development, testing and implementation of innovations in
    community services for older adults in collaboration with the aging
    network.

-   Evidence and a description of the sources, rationale and
    applicability for the 20% match requirement.

**AoA-03-07 E - Family Friends**

**1. Background**

**[Statutory Authority]{.underline}**

The statutory authority for grants under this program announcement is
contained in Title IV of the Older Americans Act, (42U.S.C. 3001 et
seq.) as amended by the Older Americans Act of 2000, P.L. 106-501
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance 93.048Title IV, Discretionary
Projects).

**[Application Due Date]{.underline}**

The deadline date for submission of applications under this program
announcement is August 15, 2003.

#  

**[Project Funding, Duration, and Match]{.underline}**

AoA plans to fund one cooperative agreement in this competition. The
award is a cooperative agreement because the Administration on Aging
will be substantially involved in the development and execution of the
activities of the grantee. The Administration on Aging shall carry out
the following activities under this cooperative agreement: collaborate
with the Center in the development, modification and execution of the
Center work plan, including the Center's plan for evaluating it's
activities and the local projects; provide technical advice in the
development of technical assistance and informational materials; and
provide consultation in identifying emerging issues and in developing
and maintaining a national network of Family Friends projects. The
Center shall carry out the following activities under this cooperative
agreement: collaborate with the Administration on Aging in the
development, modification, and execution of the Center work plan; assist
the Administration on Aging in developing and sustaining the national
network of Family Friends projects and in responding to inquiries from
the field; and evaluate the impact of Center activities and the local
projects.

It is anticipated that approximately \$980,584 is available as the
federal share of the project, per year for a project period of up to
three (3) years. Applicants should recognize, however, that the
continuation award for the second and third year of the project is
contingent upon the availability of Title IV funds and satisfactory
performance. Grantees are required to cover at least 25% of the total
program costs from non-federal cash or in-kind resources - see
instructions on AoA match requirement in the Instructions Section.

There are four major areas that the applicant must include. Below are
the recommended funding amounts for each area:

Technical Assistance: \$250,000

Model Projects: \$500,000

Helping At-Risk Youth \$130,584

Evaluation \$100,000

**Total \$980,584**

## Eligible Applicants

Any public or nonprofit agency, organization or institution or
Faith-based organization that has demonstrated experience in providing
services to senior volunteers and to children who are disabled and youth
who at-risk.

### Priority Target Populations and Organizations

Senior volunteers and families with children who are disabled and youth
who at-risk.

**[For Further Information]{.underline}**

Contact: Joyce Hubbard, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,
Administration on Aging, Washington, DC 20201, telephone (202) 357-3462,
e-mail: joyce.hubbard@aoa.gov

##### 2. Priority Area Description

a\. [AoA-03-07 E-- Background on Priority Area]{.underline}

An estimated five to seven million children suffer from chronic health
conditions/disabilities; approximately two million of them need help
(because of disability) with activities such as feeding, dressing, or
bathing themselves. About 90 percent of these children are cared for at
home. Additionally, many youth engage in behaviors that put them at
high-risk of illness, injury or death. Public/formal resources to
address the needs of these children and youth are in scarce supply.
Furthermore, the informal, supportive, traditional bonds within extended
families and communities are not as available as in the past. Additional
resources are needed. Drawing upon the experience and goodwill of older
volunteers is one way to help alleviate some of the overwhelming burden
that families of children with disabilities and at-risk youth so
frequently face.

Older volunteers can be a significant resource for the families with
children that have chronic illnesses or severe disabilities or youth who
are engaged in behaviors that put them at risk. The Family Friends
projects are multi-generational programs that have traditionally matched
mature and caring volunteers with children and youth who have special
needs. The projects are designed to benefit everyone involved. The
children and youth receive physical care, self‑help instruction,
emotional support, nurturing and referral to appropriate services,
including mental health services. Their siblings may receive greater
attention or may benefit indirectly as their family is strengthened. The
parents and/or grandparents, who are assuming responsibility for raising
the children in an increasing number of families, are given
encouragement and respite care\-- intangibles that they need to carry on
with their lives. The older volunteers now have a mission and are
rewarded with a sense of personal pride and accomplishment. They become
less isolated, more involved in the community, and develop an
affectionate relationship with their new \"granddaughters\" or
\"grandsons\" and/or other family members.

Through in‑service trainings, skills and knowledge are developed so the
senior volunteer can better assist the children, youth and their
caregivers, and volunteers are given an opportunity to exchange useful
information. The community, both urban and rural, is strengthened by
older citizens voluntarily providing supportive services to younger
citizens. Health care costs are reduced. People learn to rely on each
other, connecting with an \"extended family\" in this era of many
disconnected families.

Family Friends are extensively trained to find the best way to help a
family. The type of help depends upon what is needed at the time. New
linkages to mental health local groups may provide support and early
detection of a child's mental illness. Children with a history of mental
health problems may be managed with less suffering, less stress and less
tension, and with more understanding and sensitivity towards the child.
The volunteer may tutor the child, refer the child to a mental health
group, teach personal care and self‑help skills, or take the child to
recreational/cultural events. These volunteers often act as advocates,
serving as \"case coordinator\" and speaking on behalf of the family to
the various professionals who plan and manage the child\'s care. They
also provide social and emotional support and, in many cases, respite to
weary parents/grandparents.

Family Friends can also provide support and guidance to youth who are
involved in risky behaviors, such as alcohol, drugs, sex, tobacco or
violence, as well as to youth who are at risk of such behaviors. Many
benefits the can result from surrounding youth with caring individuals
who convey healthy messages, create meaningful opportunities, and help
them to find their own solutions. The Family Friends Program has not
traditionally emphasized the role of senior volunteers in helping at
risk youth. With this grant announcement, AoA is expanding the focus of
the Family Friends Program to at risk youth as part of the Department of
Health and Human Services' priority on helping youth make good choices.

Essential program components of local Family Friends programs include:

-   Recruitment, screening, interviewing, and selection of senior
    volunteers;

-   Recruitment, interviewing, and selection of families/children or
    at-risk youth;

-   Sixty (60) hours of intensive training for volunteers;

-   Careful matching of volunteers with families, based on
    compatibility,

proximity/transportation, personal styles and needs, health of
volunteer,

schedules, and a shared/common language;

-   Supervision of volunteers;

-   Promotion of the program and recognition of program participants;

-   Staffing with sufficient time and equal commitment to the tasks; and

-   Assessment of the program and dissemination of results.

The Family Friends program began in 1986 as a demonstration program. In
1991, AoA began implementation of the Family Program. Grants were
awarded under Title IV of the Older Americans Act to support six
community‑based model projects. Upon completion of those projects in
1994, AoA conducted a new Title IV grant competition and funded six more
Family Friends model Projects. In 1995, three additional competitive
awards were made. In 1997, AoA funded ten (10) additional projects and
one (1) Training and Technical Assistance grant for a three (3) year
period. In 2000, AoA funded seven (7) new projects and provided
continued funding for technical assistance.

b\. [AoA-03-07 E - Project Objectives]{.underline}

The Administration on Aging plans to award a grant for the purpose of
supporting a National Center for Family Friends to provide training,
technical assistance and guidance to local Family Friends projects;
further build and support a national system of Family Friends projects
by soliciting and awarding grants through a competition for model
projects, support projects that foster innovative approaches/models for
expanding the Family Friends program to at-risk youth; conduct a program
evaluation; and disseminate information.

There are four major areas that must be addressed by the applicant for
consideration for funding under this priority area.

1\. Technical Assistance

2\. Model Projects

3\. Prevention Strategies Targeted At-Risk Youth.

4\. Program Evaluation

1.) Technical Assistance:

The successful applicant will be expected to provide training, technical
assistance and guidance to all newly funded Family Friends model
projects. Applicants must demonstrate an extensive knowledge base
relating to the Family Friends programs and strong experience in
providing technical assistance and training. On the basis of its strong
knowledge base and its assessment of the previous model projects, the
National Center will be expected to assist the new grantees at the
crucial planning and implementation stages and to offer recommendations
and guidance for future program developments.

The application must include a detailed plan and methodology for
assisting the local projects. The proposal plan should include: a fully
operational website that provides comprehensive, up-to-date technical
assistance information of practical use to existing or potential local
program sponsors (including all program manuals, newsletters, etc.);
orientation and training for all new projects; at least one site visit
to each new project; and an annual meeting (preferably in Washington,
D.C.) for local Family Friends projects and organizations interested in
starting Family Friends projects.

The successful applicant will be responsible for assisting the Family
Friends projects with the following:

-   Providing timely and relevant background information regarding
    effective Family

Friends programming;

-   Training and technical assistance in developing and operating Family
    Friends programs; and,

-   Assisting in strategic planning for the long-term continuation of
    the projects.

2.) Model Projects:

The National Center for Family Friends must have the capacity to solicit
applications for, select and fund new competitive model projects,
including the capacity to assess the viability and feasibility of each
project's model for replication.

Because of the continuing need for and the demonstrated success of the
Family Friends program, the AoA expects the National Center to solicit
applications and fund the development and implement of Family Friends
projects in new settings. Accordingly, applicants for the National
Center should include in their applications a detailed plan for funding
approximately 6-8 new Family Friends model projects. Eligible applicants
for these new models are restricted to local public or non‑profit
community‑level agencies, organizations, institutions or Faith-based
organizations. Model project applicants should follow the Family Friends
paradigm outlined above.

3.  Helping At-Risk Youth:

At noted above, with this grant announcement, AoA is expanding the focus
of the Family Friends Program to youth who are engaged in risky
behaviors or who are at-risk of such behaviors, as part of the
Department of Health and Human Services' priority on helping youth make
good choices. The National Center should use a portion of its grant
funds for activities that will help the Family Friends program to
develop and test approaches to training and placing senior volunteers to
help youth who are involved in risky behaviors, such as alcohol, drugs,
sex, tobacco or violence, as well as to youth who are at-risk of such
behaviors. Applicants must demonstrate how they will utilize and build
on existing program models and materials, including programs and
materials developed with HHS support, as a basis for developing a
strategy for addressing this new priority area.

4.) Program Evaluation:

The grantee will be required to conduct an on-going evaluation of the
local Family Friends programs. The evaluation should focus on both
performance and continuous quality improvement. The evaluation could be
carried out directly by the grantee or by another organization through a
contract.

Local Program Performance Data must include, at a minimum:

-   Number of volunteers trained, certified and deployed;

-   Hours of volunteer time donated, and estimated market value of the
    time;

-   Number of families/children served; and,

-   Feedback from volunteers and families on satisfaction with program
    and self-assessed impact on their lives.

The continuous quality improvement component of the evaluation should
focus on identifying and sharing best practices and lessons learned in
implementing local projects, including successful strategies used to
overcome local barriers, and opportunities for enhancing local program,
including the use of alternative funding sources.

c\. [AoA-03-07 E -- Deliverables]{.underline}

At a minimum, the National Center for Family Friends will be expected to
produce:

-   Written specifications for the local projects, and the process and
    criteria to be used in awarding grants to local projects, and for
    continuing to fund these projects beyond the first year.

-   Model projects operating in 6-8 communities.

-   Demonstrated approaches that local Family Friends projects can use
    to help at-risk youth.

-   Written plan and methodology for monitoring local grantees, and
    providing technical assistance.

-   Site visits to new program and orientation for each local project
    director.

-   Orientation meetings for new directors of local projects.

-   Annual Conference.

-   Documented results of technical assistance (e.g., types of problems
    and resolutions).

-   Fully operational website.

-   Semi-annual reports summarizing outcomes achieved by the national
    center and the local grantees, including an annual report that
    quantifies:

-   the number of volunteers recruited, trained and placed;

-   the number of families/children served;

-   the average cost per volunteer placed;

-   the total number of volunteer hours donated;

-   the average number of volunteer hours donated per family/child
    served;

-   the estimated dollar value of each volunteer hours donated;

-   the estimated total value of volunteer hours donated;

-   Program evaluation; and final report.

AoA-03-07 F: Health Disparities among Minority Elderly Individuals --
Technical Assistance Centers

##### 1. Background

**[Statutory Authority]{.underline}**

The statutory authority for grants under this program announcement is
contained in Title IV of the Older Americans Act, (42U.S.C. 3001 et
seq.) as amended by the Older Americans Act of 2000, P.L. 106-501
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance 93.048 Title IV, Discretionary
Projects).

**[Application Due Date]{.underline}**

The deadline date for submission of applications under this program
announcement is August 15, 2003.

**[Project Funding, Duration, and Match]{.underline}**

AoA plans to make approximately five grant awards for new projects
through this competition, for a total of \$932,598, in FY 2003. Each
project should focus on one of the following four major racial and
ethnic minority groups***:*** African American (1 project @ \$149,025);
Native American and Alaska Native (1 project @ \$129,155); persons of
Hispanic origin (up to 2 projects @ \$149,025 each); and Asian American
and Pacific Islander (1 project up to \$356,369). The projects will be
funded for a period up to three (3) years. Grantees are required to
cover at least 25% of the total program costs from non-federal cash or
in-kind resources. Contributions must be at least one (1) dollar in
non-federal cash or in-kind resources for every three (3) dollars
received in federal funding. See instructions on AoA match requirement
in the Instructions Section.

## Eligible Applicants

Public and/or nonprofit agencies and national organizations, including
faith-based organizations, are eligible to apply under this program
announcement.

### Priority Target Populations and Organizations

Applicants must involve community-based organizations in the planning
and implementation of their project. Applicants must also include
disadvantaged populations, including limited-English speaking
populations, as a target population for their proposed intervention.

**[For Further Information]{.underline}**

Contact Dianne A. Freeman, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,
Administration on Aging, Washington, D.C. 20201, telephone:
202-357-3536, e-mail: <dianne.freeman@aoa.gov> or Margaret Graves,
202-357-3502, e-mail: <Margaret.Graves@aoa.gov>.

##### 2. Priority Area Description

a\. [AoA-03-07 F -- Background on Priority Area]{.underline}

Number range CHAPTEROver the past several years, the Congress has
promoted efforts to decrease the prevalence of health disparities among
racial and ethnic minority populations. These efforts have been
supported by language in successive Congressional appropriations
reports. Further, the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services has
launched a Department-wide initiative directed at identifying and/or
developing effective, community-based strategies for reducing or
eliminating health disparities among racial and ethnic minority
individuals of all ages. On behalf of older individuals, the Assistant
Secretary for Aging is responding to the Congress and the Secretary's
initiative by calling for National Minority Aging Organizations to
develop front line health promotion and disease prevention strategies.
Projects may demonstrate nontraditional, community based interventions
for reaching older individuals who experience barriers to access that
can be attributed to language and low literacy as well as other barriers
directly related to cultural diversity.

Data from the 2000 Census shows that there are nearly 40 million people
age 65 and over in the United States. A little more than 16 percent of
these older people are minority elders. Eight percent are African
American elders and nearly six percent are elders of Hispanic origin;
older Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and individuals of Native
American heritage compose the remainder of this number. While the number
of white individuals over the age of 65 will increase by 81 percent
between now and the year 2030, demographers project even more dramatic
increases in the numbers of minority older individuals. It is expected
that by the year 2030, the numbers of older African American individuals
will increase by 128 percent, elders of Hispanic origin by 328 percent;
Asian American and Pacific Islander older individuals by 301 percent,
and the number of American Indian and Alaska Native elders will increase
by about 193 percent. If current demographic trends persist, there is
little doubt that without an increased focus on health promotion and
disease prevention the need for services may increase proportionately.

Overall, racial and ethnic minority populations are at increased risk
for cardiovascular diseases, cerebral vascular disease, diabetes, breast
and cervical and prostate cancers, and HIV infection/AIDS. In addition,
they are less likely to receive child and/or adult immunization at the
same rates as whites. The data show that minority older individuals
suffer from the same leading causes of poor health as older white
individuals. However, very often they suffer disproportionately from
those same conditions. The death rate for African Americans from heart
disease is 40 percent higher than the rate for white Americans. The
death rate for all cancers is 30 percent higher for African Americans
and for prostate cancer it is more than double that for whites. African
American women have a higher rate of death from breast cancer than white
women despite having the same screening rate for mammograms.

Number range CHAPTERPersons of Hispanic origin living in the United
States are twice as likely to die from diabetes as non-Hispanic whites.
Persons of Hispanic origin have higher rates of high blood pressure and
obesity than non-Hispanic whites. So, too, the rate of diabetes among
Native Americans is more than twice the rate than that among white
Americans. Although Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have
indicators of being one of the healthiest population groups in the
United States, there is great diversity within this racial and ethnic
minority group. Heart disease is a serious problem among Asian
Americans. In addition, women of Vietnamese origin suffer from cervical
cancer at nearly five times the rate of white women, and tuberculosis is
higher among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders living in the United
States.

The AoA expects that proposals from NMAOs will approach this initiative
in a manner that recognizes the diversity of racial and ethnic minority
older individuals, confronts fundamental issues such as the anticipated
impact of the growth of the minority older populations, and the
importance of the awareness of cultural distinctions within each racial
and ethnic minority population.

b\. [AoA-03-07 F - Project Objectives]{.underline}

Number range CHAPTERThe collective goal of these demonstrations is to
advance knowledge and increase the effectiveness of future efforts to
eliminate health disparities among racial and ethnic minority
populations. Specifically, the proposals should target disparities in
cardiovascular disease, cerebral vascular disease, cancer management,
and diabetes, and in reducing deficits in immunizations among older
racial and ethnic minority populations. Proposals should outline a plan
for developing a culturally specific model that can facilitate the
delivery of health promotion and disease prevention materials to racial
and ethnic minority older individuals and their families. It is expected
that these models will produce community-based interventions for more
responsive, cost effective programs that can assist older racial and
ethnic minority individuals, their families, and communities at large to
promote lifestyles that enhance maximum independence.

Proposals should outline plans for developing and implementing
interventions that:

-   Identify the specific racial and ethnic minority population to be
    served, i.e.: African American; American Indian and Alaska Native;
    persons of Hispanic origin; and Asian American and Pacific Islander;

-   Identify the selected health priority area and present the rationale
    for the proposal focus, i.e., cardiovascular disease, cerebral
    vascular disease, cancer management, diabetes, or reduction of
    deficits in immunizations among older racial and ethnic minority
    populations, and how the selected areas relate to the research
    evidence that has been generated by HHS investments in health
    research;

-   Describe specific steps encompassed by the proposed interventions;

-   Outline evaluation methods for documenting innovative strategies;
    monitoring community participation, and assessing effects of the
    intervention;

-   Describe plans for establishing or reinforcing relationships,
    linkages and collaborations with community-based organizations and
    other local, State, and national partners, as appropriate;

-   Describe plans for implementing one or two community demonstration
    projects targeting a disease or issue, e.g., immunization in an
    African-American population;

-   Collaborate with academic or other appropriate institutions in the
    evaluation, analysis, and interpretation of the project progress and
    significant findings;

-   Establish the data systems that will collect data necessary for
    monitoring and fully capturing the effects of all project
    activities;

-   Establish mechanisms with other public and/or private groups to
    generate the financial support that can sustain the program at the
    conclusion of Federal support;

-   Participate in conferences and workshops to inform and educate
    others regarding lessons learned from the project and the
    experiences that may be informative to others attempting to
    implement the model; and

-   Collaborate with appropriate partners to publish the results of the
    project to the National Network on Aging.

**AoA-03-07 G - National Center on Elder Abuse**

1.  **Background**

**[Statutory Authority]{.underline}**

The statutory authority for grants under this program announcement is
contained in Title II of the Older Americans Act, (42U.S.C. 3001 et
seq.) as amended by the Older Americans Act of 2000, P.L. 106-501
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance 93.048 Title II, Discretionary
Projects).

**[Application Due Date]{.underline}**

The deadline date for submission of applications under this program
announcement is August 15, 2003.

**[Project Funding, Duration, and Match]{.underline}**

AoA plans to fund one cooperative agreement with the Center at \$809,703
per year up to three years. Number range CHAPTERThe award is a
cooperative agreement because the Administration on Aging will be
substantially involved in the development and execution of the
activities of the grantee. The Administration on Aging shall carry out
the following activities under this cooperative agreement: collaborate
with the Center in the development, modification and execution of the
Center work plan; provide technical advice in the development of elder
abuse prevention informational materials; and provide consultation in
identifying emerging elder abuse issues and in developing and
maintaining a system of state and community-based elder rights networks
made up of service providers funded under the Older Americans Act. The
Center shall carry out the following activities under this cooperative
agreement: collaborate with the Administration on Aging in the
development, modification, and execution of the Center work plan; assist
the Administration on Aging in developing and sustaining state and
community-based elder rights networks and in responding to inquiries
concerning elder abuse; and evaluate the impact of Center activities.

Grantees are required to cover at least 25% of the total program costs
from non-federal cash or in-kind resources (see instructions in Section
III.A). Applications for continuation funding of the Center beyond the
initial budget period will be reviewed on a non-competitive basis,
subject to the availability of funds, satisfactory progress of the
grantee and a determination that continued funding will be in the best
interest of the government.

## 

## Eligible Applicants

Public and/or nonprofit agencies, organizations, or institutions,
including faith-based organizations are eligible to apply under this
program announcement. To be considered for funding, however, applicants
must demonstrate a proven track record of expert knowledge concerning
the operation and organization of elder abuse programs at national,
state, and local levels, as well the requisite organizational capacity
to carry out the activities of the Center on a national scale.

### Priority Target Populations and Organizations

Applicants must involve community-based organizations in the planning
and implementation of their project. Applicants must also include
disadvantaged populations, including limited-English speaking
populations, as a target population for their proposed intervention.

**[For Further Information]{.underline}**

Contact Brandt Chvirko, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,
Administration on Aging, Washington, DC 20201, telephone: (202)
357-3535, e-mail: <brandt.chvirko@aoa.gov>.

##### Priority Area Description

a.  [AoA-03-07 G - Background on Priority Area]{.underline}

Each year hundreds of thousands of older persons are abused, neglected
and exploited by family members and others. Many victims are people who
are older, frail, and vulnerable and cannot help themselves and depend
on others to meet their most basic needs.

The 1998 National Elder Abuse Incidence Study found the following:

-   551,011 persons, aged 60 and over, experienced abuse, neglect,
    and/or self-neglect in a one-year period;

-   Almost four times as many new incidents of abuse, neglect, and/or
    self-neglect were not reported as those that were reported to and
    substantiated by adult protective services agencies;

-   Persons, aged 80 years and older, suffered abuse and neglect two to
    three times their proportion of the older population; and

-   Among known perpetrators of abuse and neglect, the perpetrator was a
    family member in 90 percent of cases. Two-thirds of the perpetrators
    were adult children or spouses.

As the effective and visible advocate for older Americans and their
concerns, AoA is committed to protecting seniors from elder abuse. AoA
administers nutrition and community-based long-term care programs that
allow millions of seniors to age in place with dignity. The agency also
supports state and community-based elder rights networks that protect
vulnerable seniors and provide them with critical information. These
networks are made up of state legal assistance developers,
community-based legal assistance providers, long-term care ombudsmen and
staff who carry out elder abuse prevention activities.

Title VII, Chapter 3 of the Act authorizes AoA to support a range of
activities at the state and local level to raise awareness about elder
abuse. These include training law enforcement officers and medical
professionals in how to recognize and respond to elder abuse cases,
conducting public awareness and education campaigns, and creating state
and community-based elder abuse prevention coalitions and
multi-disciplinary teams. These teams coordinate the activities of a
wide range of professionals, including: aging network staff; adult
protective services workers; domestic violence experts; medical, banking
and law enforcement personnel; public guardians; victims advocates;
long-term care facility surveyors; health insurance counselors and
others.

b\. AoA-03-07 G - Project Objectives

AoA provides states with formula grant funding to carry out legal
assistance and elder abuse prevention programs at the state and local
level. The National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) will incorporate the
latest technology to generate and disseminate knowledge that can build
and strengthen elder rights networks and enhance the effectiveness of
state and community-based elder abuse prevention and intervention
programs. It will serve as a national clearinghouse of information on
all forms of elder abuse, including physical, psychological, sexual and
financial abuse; neglect and self-neglect. NCEA will tailor its
activities and work products to meet the special needs of disadvantaged
populations, including limited-English speaking individuals.

# 

# NCEA shall carry out the following activities: 

-   Provide up-to-date information to individuals, professionals, public
    and private agencies, and service providers interested in the
    subject of elder abuse, elder abuse prevention and intervention
    activities, state aging and adult protective service programs, state
    and federal legislation that impacts on elder abuse prevention and
    intervention programs and recent or ongoing elder abuse‑research
    studies. NCEA shall respond to inquiries promptly and shall
    disseminate information via an NCEA website, list serve, monthly
    newsletter, and mailings.

-   Develop and maintain a web-based information clearinghouse on all
    programs (including private programs) showing promise of success for
    the prevention, identification, and treatment of elder abuse.

-   Develop and maintain a lending library of information on elder abuse
    prevention and intervention promising practices, research, training
    and technical assistance programs, and public awareness campaigns.
    NCEA shall keep copies of reports, curricula, CD ROMs, journal
    articles, posters, brochures, videos, books, pamphlets and other
    materials. Those wishing to duplicate these materials shall be able
    to download, order or borrow them via an index on the NCEA web site.

-   Provide technical assistance, training and consultation to state and
    area agencies on aging and to other public and nonprofit private
    agencies and faith-based organizations to assist the agencies and
    organizations in planning, implementing, improving, coordinating and
    evaluating programs and activities relating to the special problems
    of elder abuse. This technical assistance, training and consultation
    shall be carried out directly on-site as well as through
    state-of-the-art communication and technology-based methods.

-   Compile, publish, and disseminate training materials for personnel
    who are engaged or intend to engage in the prevention,
    identification and treatment of elder abuse.

-   Conduct research and demonstration projects regarding the causes,
    prevention, identification and treatment of elder abuse, including
    projects to test and evaluate interventions.

-   Annually compile, publish and disseminate a summary of recently
    conducted research on elder abuse.

-   Identify emerging elder abuse issues and prepare and disseminate
    informational materials addressing such issues.

-   Prepare and disseminate fact sheets and specialized information
    packets addressing a range of elder abuse issues.

-   Operate an NCEA web site that provides the public and professionals
    with updated elder abuse prevention and intervention information,
    including all written materials produced by NCEA.

NCEA is expected to address a full range of subjects related to the
operation of state and community-based elder abuse prevention and
intervention programs. Such subjects may include, but are not limited
to:

-   Major issues, trends and promising practices in the planning,
    delivery and evaluation of services by programs designated by state
    elder abuse laws to investigate and follow through reports of elder
    abuse;

-   Major issues, trends and promising practices in the planning,
    delivery and evaluation of services by all levels of government and
    by the private sector to combat elder abuse;

-   Coordination of services provided by area agencies on aging with
    services instituted under state and local adult protective services
    programs;

-   Coordination of state and local aging and adult protective services
    programs with other state and local service programs, including
    legal, social, health, domestic violence, victim assistance,
    criminal justice, law enforcement, consumer protection and
    Medicare/Medicaid fraud control;

-   Development and maintenance of state and community-based elder
    rights networks and elder abuse prevention multi-disciplinary teams;

-   Improvement of state elder abuse information and reporting systems;

-   Ethical issues related to provision of elder abuse prevention and
    intervention services;

-   Education of key professionals within both the aging and adult
    protective services network and such other service networks as
    health, criminal justice, law enforcement, victims assistance, legal
    assistance and domestic violence;

-   Analyses of federal and state program issues, policies, legislative
    trends, regulations and the impacts related to state and local elder
    abuse programs; and

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-   Development of strategies to assist states to target limited elder
    abuse prevention resources for maximum impact.

**AoA-03-07 H - Nutrition, Physical Activity and Aging -- National
Resource Center**

# 1. Background 

**[Statutory Authority.]{.underline}** The statutory authority for
awards made under the Administration on Aging (AoA) Discretionary Funds
Program is contained in Title II and Title IV of the Older Americans
Act, (42 U.S.C. 3001 et seq.), as amended by the Older Americans Act
Amendments of 2000, P.L. 106-501, November 13, 2000.

**[Application Due Date.]{.underline}** The deadline date for the
submission of applications under this program announcement is August 15,
2003.

**[Project Funding, Duration and Match.]{.underline}** AoA plans to fund
one (1) cooperative agreement under this competition. The project will
be funded at a federal share of approximately \$480,000 per year for a
project period up to three years, contingent on the availability of
federal funds. Grantees are required to cover at least 25% of the total
program costs from non-federal cash or in-kind resources -- see
instructions on AoA match requirement in Section III.A.

**[Eligible Applicants.]{.underline}** To be eligible to receive funding
for this cooperative agreement, an applicant must be an institution of
higher education with direct experience in conducting applied research
on nutrition and physical activity for older adults, developing
technical assistance materials for the aging network in these areas,
training and technical assistance to all levels of the aging network,
and implementing nutrition and physical activity related demonstration
programs across the continuum of care.

**[Priority Target Populations and Organizations.]{.underline}**
Applicants must involve nutrition and physical activity expertise from
state, area agency on aging, tribal programs (when appropriate) and
local nutrition programs and organizations in the planning and
implementation of their project.

**[For Further Information.]{.underline}** Contact: Jean L. Lloyd, M.S.,
R.D., U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on
Aging, Washington, DC 20201, telephone: (202) 357-3582, e-mail:
<jean.lloyd@aoa.gov>.

**2. Priority Area Description**

a\. [AoA-03-07 H-- Background on Priority Area]{.underline}

Sedentary lifestyles and poor diets account for at least fourteen
percent of all deaths in the United States. These risk factors
contribute to increases in chronic disease risk, decreases in
functionality and independence, and lower quality of life for older
adults. Obesity and overweight cost about \$117 billion. Medicare and
Medicaid programs spend about \$84 billion annually on five major
chronic conditions that could be significantly improved through
increased physical activity and improved nutrition: diabetes, heart
disease, cancer, depression, and arthritis.

Regular physical activity sustains the ability of older adults to live
independently. One-third of older adults are inactive. Older women are
less active than older men. African American older adults are less
active than white older adults. Regular physical activity is effective
in treating heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol,
chronic lung disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, obesity and overweight,
and arthritis.

Good nutrition prolongs independence by maintaining physical strength,
mobility and endurance, hearing and vision, and cognitive abilities.
Good nutrition promotes health by lowering chronic disease risk for
heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes and osteoporosis. Eighty-seven
percent of older Americans have one or more chronic diseases that can be
improved by improved nutrition, including diabetes, high blood pressure,
high blood cholesterol, congestive heart failure, cancer, chronic lung
disease, osteoporosis, obesity, and overweight. Forty percent of
community-residing older Americans eat poorly which increases their
chronic disease risk and decreases their ability to maintain
functionality and independence. Fifty percent of older caregivers are at
nutritional risk and would benefit from nutrition interventions. Older
adults often enter and are released from hospitals in a poorly nourished
state. At least 25 percent of congregate and 50 percent of
home-delivered participants in the Older Americans Act Nutrition Program
are hospitalized yearly. Studies indicated that forty-one percent of
older adults are reported to have continued decline in functional status
3 months after hospitalization; this decline is exacerbated by poor
nutrition.

b.  [AoA-03-07 H -- Project Objectives]{.underline}

The Older Americans Act Nutrition Programs provide a foundation for home
and community based services to help maintain older adults in the home
and community, especially in relationship to improving or maintaining
physical activity and physical functioning and in improving or
maintaining nutritional status and health. The primary goal of the
Resource Center is to enhance and strengthen the knowledge and service
delivery of the aging network in nutrition and physical activity
programs for older adults. The Resource Center is expected to
incorporate the AoA priority areas of: 1) make it easier for older
people to access an integrated array of health and long term care
services; 2) help older people to stay active and healthy; and 3)
support families in their efforts to care for their loved ones in home
and community.

The Center is expected to develop activities related to older adults as
follows:

-   Compiling, publishing, and disseminating current information on
    physical activity and nutrition needs, physical activity and
    nutrition services, resource materials for professionals and
    consumers, aging research, reports, and web linkages;

-   Implementing *USA on the Move: Steps to Healthy Aging*;

-   Implementing *Dietary Guidelines*, and *Dietary Reference Intakes*;

-   Providing assistance on health promotion and disease prevention,
    including integrating physical activity and nutrition interventions
    in innovative and collaborative ways in home and community based
    services through the awarding, administering, compiling the results
    of, evaluating, and publishing a report on ten (10) mini-grants
    (\$100,000 total) to community agencies and organizations;

-   Implementing food safety and food service administration technical
    assistance in compliance with the most currently established Public
    Health Service/Food and Drug Administration *Food Code*;

-   Researching, compiling information on, publishing, evaluating, and
    disseminating information on the full range of home and community
    based nutrition services in support of rebalancing long term care;
    and

-   Researching, compiling information on, evaluating and disseminating
    information about model programs that meet the needs of special
    populations, including culturally appropriate services.

The application must contain a description of activities, anticipated
outcomes for the activities, how these outcomes will be measured and how
the overall success of the program/activity will be determined. The
approach/methodology must be evidence-based and national in scope.

Substantial organizational commitment, made by the highest levels of the
organization, must be clearly evident in the application. The Center
must have its own organizational identity within the awardees
organization. Evidence must be provided that the Center will have the
ability of function in an independent manner within the institution. The
Center shall have a Director with an appropriate background,
professional training and expertise who shall devote 50% of his/her time
to this position. Individuals qualified by education, training and
experience to accomplish the Center's activities shall be appointed to
the Center faculty.

AoA and the Center will work cooperatively in the development of
Center's plan of work and award process and implementation of
subcontracts and physical activity and nutrition mini-grants for *USA on
the Move: Steps to Healthy Aging* as well as other Center activities.
The AoA will work collaboratively with the Center to develop a system to
set priorities for research, materials development, training and
technical assistance, and/or dissemination. There will be substantial
AoA involvement in determining guidance regarding *The* *Dietary
Guidelines, The Dietary Reference Intakes,* and implementation of food
safety and food service administration. Whenever possible, AoA will
share with the Center information about other federally supported
projects and Federal activities relevant to its areas of primary
concern.

A three-year project period has been chosen in order to reduce the
paperwork burden. It is expected that the Federal share of each Resource
Center's project costs per year, provided funds are available, will be
approximately \$480,000 of which \$100,000 is to be devoted to physical
activity and nutrition mini-grants awards.

**AoA-03-07 I: Older Indians, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians --
National Resource Centers**

# 1. Background

**[Statutory Authority]{.underline}**

The statutory authority for grants under this program announcement is
contained in Title IV of the Older Americans Act, (42U.S.C. 3001 et
seq.) as amended by the Older Americans Act of 2000, P.L. 106-501
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance 93.048 Title IV, Discretionary
Projects).

**[Application Due Date]{.underline}**

The deadline date for submission of applications under this program
announcement is August 15, 2003.

**[Project Funding, Duration, and Match]{.underline}**

AoA plans to fund two (2) cooperative agreements under this competition.
Each project will be funded at a federal share of approximately
\$345,000 per year for a project period of up to three years, contingent
on the availability of federal funds. Grantees are required to cover at
least 25% of the total program costs from non-federal cash or in-kind
resources -- see instructions on AoA match requirement in Instructions
Section.

## Eligible Applicants

To be eligible to receive funding for these cooperative agreements an
applicant must be an institution of higher education with experience
conducting research or assessments on the needs of older individuals.
Current Resource Centers are also eligible to apply.

### Priority Target Populations and Organizations

Applicants must involve Tribes and Native American organizations in the
planning and implementation of their project.

**[For Further Information]{.underline}**

Contact M. Yvonne Jackson, Ph.D., U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services, Administration on Aging, Washington, DC 20201, telephone:
(202) 357-3501, e-mail: <Yvonne.Jackson@aoa.gov>.

##### 

##### 2. Priority Area Description

a.  [AoA-03-07 I -- Background on Priority Area]{.underline}

Today longevity is becoming increasingly more prevalent in American
Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian communities. This welcome
trend has placed greater demands on a service delivery system, which is
even more complex and fragmented than in non-Indian communities. In
recognition of this, under the Older Americans Act (OAA) Amendments of
2000, Congress has mandated the support of at least two (2) Resource
Centers that will focus on issues and concerns affecting individuals who
are older Indians, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians.

b.  [AoA-03-07 I -- Project Objectives]{.underline}

The primary goal of these Centers is to enhance knowledge about older
Native Americans and thereby to increase and improve the delivery of
services to them. With this goal in mind, the Centers will concentrate
on the development and provision of technical information and expertise
to Indian tribal organizations, Native American communities, educational
institutions including Tribal Colleges and Universities, and
professionals and paraprofessionals in the field. Each Center must have
a national focus and direct its resources to one or more of the areas of
primary concern specified below. In addition, each Center must provide
short term applied research, education, and dissemination of information
and promote the collaboration between Titles VI and III of the OAA, as
amended, as well as with other relevant Federal programs.

As required by the OAA, applicants must specify at least two areas of
primary concern on which the Center will focus. These areas shall be:
health issues, including long term and in-home care; access to
services/transportation; elder abuse; community resources; or cultural
promotion. Each Center is expected to incorporate the concepts and
principles and cultural competence into all aspects of their staffing,
program, and activities. Additionally, each Resource Center is to
explain how the five AoA priority areas will be included in each area.
These AoA priority areas are: 1) make it easier for older people to
access an integrated array of health and long term care services; 2)
help older people to stay active and healthy; 3) support families in
their efforts to care for their loved ones at home and in the community;
4) ensure the rights of older people and prevent their abuse, neglect
and exploitation; and 5) promote effective and responsive management.
AoA is particularly interested in best practice models in their priority
areas.

Each Center is expected to develop a number of special activities within
its areas of primary concern which will address the special needs of
different Indian communities, namely, those of Federally recognized
tribes, State recognized tribes, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and
Urban Indian Organizations. The application must contain a description
of anticipated outcomes for the activities, how these outcomes will be
measured and how the overall success of the program/activity will be
determined. The approach/methodology must be evidence-based.

Substantial organizational commitment, made by the highest levels of the
organization, must be clearly evident in the application. Each center
must have its own organizational identity within the awardees
organization. Evidence must be provided that the Center will have the
ability of function in an independent manner within the institution.
Each Center shall have a Director with an appropriate background,
professional training and expertise who shall devote 50% of his/her time
to this position. Individuals qualified by education, training and
experience to accomplish the Center's activities shall be appointed to
the Center faculty. In an effort to achieve cultural competence within
each Center, AoA strongly encourages that the Director be Native
American.

AoA and the Centers will work cooperatively in the development of Center
agendas and awarding of subcontracts. The AoA will work with the Centers
to develop a system to set priorities for research, training and
technical assistance, education, and/or dissemination. Whenever
possible, AoA will share with the Centers information about other
federally supported projects and Federal activities relevant to its
areas of primary concern.

# AoA-03-07 J -Pension Information and Counseling Projects - Regional

**1. Background**

**[Statutory Authority]{.underline}**

The statutory authority for grants under this program announcement is
contained in Title II of the Older Americans Act, (42U.S.C. 3001 et
seq.) as amended by the Older Americans Act of 2000, P.L. 106-501
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance 93.048 Title II, Discretionary
Projects).

**[Application Due Date]{.underline}**

The deadline date for submission of applications under this program
announcement is August 15, 2003.

**[Project Funding, Duration, and Match]{.underline}**

AoA plans to fund two (2) regional pension counseling and information
grants through this competition. Each regional project will be funded at
a federal share of approximately \$150,000 per year for a project period
up to three years. Grantees are required to cover at least 25% of the
total program costs from non-federal cash or in-kind resources - see
instructions on AoA match requirement in the Instructions Section.

## 

## Eligible Applicants

Applicant eligibility for Pension Counseling and Information Projects is
open under Section 215 of the Older Americans Act, to state or area
agencies on aging, and nonprofit organizations, including
community-based and faith-based organizations, with a proven record of
providing pension counseling and/or other services directly related to
the retirement income security of older individuals. Applicants
providing these services to Native Americans are specifically encouraged
to apply.

While the term "regional" is not specifically defined, it will generally
be interpreted to mean two (2) or more states; for applicants proposing
a single-state "region," additional justification will be required.
Preference in awarding funds will be given to applicants who are
experienced in providing statewide or regional pension and retirement
income benefits counseling and information services.

### 

### Priority Target Populations and Organizations

Applicants must involve community-based organizations in the planning
and implementation of their project. Applicants must also include
disadvantaged populations, including limited English-speaking
populations, as a target population for their proposed intervention.

**[For Further Information]{.underline}**

Contact Valerie Soroka, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,
Administration on Aging, Office of Consumer Choice and Protection,
Washington, DC, 20201, telephone: (202) 357-3531, e-mail:
<valerie.soroka@aoa.gov>

##### 

##### 2. Priority Area Description

a.  [AoA-03-07 J-- Background on Priority Area]{.underline}

The world of pensions is extraordinarily complex for workers, retirees
and their spouses and survivors. Some sort of pension plan covers most
government employees and many people in private industry. Income from an
employer-sponsored pension accounts for approximately 20% of the income
of older persons. Overall, two out of every five older household units
receive income from public and/or private pension benefits other than
Social Security. There are over 700,000 private pension and other
retirement income plans in the nation. Governed by a mix of federal
pension and tax laws, each of these plans may have its own particular
benefits structure and administrative procedures. Adding to the overall
complexity of the pension landscape are the tens of thousands of
governmental and church plans across the country, and another confusing
web of laws and regulations.

The average individual often finds it difficult or impossible to
navigate this complicated environment, especially given the recent
trends involving cash-balance conversions, corporate merger and
acquisition activity, workforce mobility, and plan under funding and
termination. Compounding these systemic problems are societal issues
such as illiteracy and innumeracy, and other personal dynamics related
to aging and culture. With the increase in individual account retirement
income plans, specifically 401(k) plans, participants are now being
asked to fund, manage, and bear the investment risk associated with
these retirement income vehicles, requiring them to undertake tasks
previously reserved for the highly trained pension professional. For
those individuals who understand enough about their retirement plans to
know that something may be wrong or that they need assistance, their
disappointment continues as they search from among the relatively few
resources available for a pension professional who is both competent and
willing to help. Participant frustration is also increased by the fact
that no single government agency has the formal responsibility to look
out for and assist participants within these complex and varied plans.

In 1992, Congress recognized that there were very few resources
available to assist older workers and retirees and their families to
maneuver their way through the pension maze. As a result, Congress
directed the AoA to develop demonstration projects that would provide
counseling and information to better help these individuals understand
and enforce their pension rights. Since 1993, the AoA has funded several
pension counseling projects to meet consumer need, and a technical
assistance project that provides training and technical assistance for
the counseling projects as well as for state and area agencies on aging,
legal services programs and other agencies and individuals who need
assistance on pension issues. The program currently serves 16 states
and, to date has helped tens of thousands of clients to recover nearly
\$50 million in pension and retirement income benefits.

The success of the pension counseling project demonstrations led
Congress to establish pension counseling as a permanent program under
Title II of the Older Americans Act in 2000. The statute now calls for a
continuation of pension counseling and makes it a service that should be
available for all Americans. The AoA has spent considerable time
evaluating the pension counseling and information projects funded since
1993 with a view toward expanding the program to cover the nation. It is
the AoA\'s intent to fund the expansion of the program over a period of
several years to ensure that there will be a sufficient number of
trained staff to develop a nationwide program.

b.  [AoA-03-07 J- Project Objectives]{.underline}

To further the process of expanding and regionalizing the Pension
Counseling and Information program, under this program announcement the
AoA intends to fund two (2) "regional," or multi-state projects. While
applicants may propose a "region" that encompasses fewer than two
states, specific additional justification must be provided. However, in
no event will the AoA fund a project that serves less than the entirety
of a single state. The projects should provide outreach, information,
counseling, referral, and other assistance regarding pensions and other
retirement income benefits from private (pre-, post-, and non-ERISA
plans) as well as federal and state government pension systems. The AoA
expects these projects to build on the experience of the existing and
previously funded projects and demonstrations. Specifically, the AoA
expects applicants to propose the implementation and improvement of the
most appropriate and effective methods to ensure that Americans eligible
for pension and other retirement income benefits have the requisite
knowledge, information and counseling to fully exercise their rights and
entitlements.

Applicants must submit a plan for a pension counseling and information
program that includes, but is not limited to, the following components:

-   Establishes or expands a public state or area agency pension
    counseling and information program, or establishes or continues a
    private regional pension counseling and information program;

-   Serves a specific multi-state geographic area. Two states at a
    minimum will be served, unless justification for a single-state
    region is provided. Proposals to serve less than an entire state
    will be disqualified.

-   Provides direct counseling and assistance to individuals with
    questions or problems regarding:

    -   Basic rights to pension or other retirement benefits;

    -   Locating their "lost" pension plans and information on sources
        of pension and other retirement income documentation and
        benefits;

    -   The drafting of and representation in a plan's administrative
        claims or appeals procedures;

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-   Establishes a system to make legal and other referrals as
    appropriate to Federal, State and local departments or agencies,
    legal and other professional and/or advocacy services;

-   Provides training programs for staff members and volunteers;

-   Provides outreach regarding the project's services to the geographic
    area served, with particular emphasis on outreach to women,
    minorities, low-income retirees, and persons with limited English
    proficiency;

-   Collects detailed client data that not only includes detailed
    demographic data about the clients served, but the types of
    retirement plans and legal issues involved;

-   Develops an effective and imaginative plan for use of the media for
    outreach purposes and demonstrates organizational capacity to deal
    quickly and effectively with members of the press;

-   Develops specific expertise in state and local pension systems
    throughout the region served, including the development of fact
    sheets and other informational materials. While fact sheets,
    training materials and other informational or educational material
    concerning pension and retirement income plans governed by federal
    law will be designed by the national technical assistance project
    for use across all pension counseling project regions, individual
    projects are responsible for determining the need for certain
    information at the local or regional level.

The following "themes" have proven to be particularly important to the
overall success and continued viability of the pension counseling
projects and demonstrations. Applicants should be sure to address the
following throughout their proposal:

1.) Organizational Capacity and Competency:

Applicants ideally should be well-established, known presences in their
respective communities, and should be led by experienced and
enthusiastic directors. Applicants should present evidence that the
organization can carry out a pension counseling and information program
by showing the organization's ability to: provide competent and
cost-effective pension counseling and information services on a
"regional" basis; develop successful referral relationships with key
entities (government agencies, offices of elected representatives,
private and public interest bar associations, lawyer and other
professional referral services, professional associations, etc) and
individuals (public interest and private bar attorneys, actuaries,
financial planners, etc).

2.) Target Population Outreach, Access and Involvement:

Applicants should describe how they plan to involve community-based
organizations in a meaningful way in the planning and implementation of
the proposal project. The proposal should also describe how the proposed
intervention will target disadvantaged populations, including
limited-English speaking populations (applicants should provide reliable
documentation that the population targeted has a demonstrable need for
the services, based on community input); consideration should be given
to making the project accessible throughout the region via a toll-free
phone line, the Internet, and/or other low/no cost access means.

3.) Familiarity with Prior Efforts:

Applicants should be familiar with the work of the demonstration
projects since 1993. Demonstrate how lessons learned from other
counseling projects and demonstrations have been incorporated into the
specific proposal. Identify, as appropriate, how the expertise from
other projects, demonstrations, and the technical assistance project
will be incorporated to meet the proposed objectives.

4.) Staffing:

Pension counseling generally is more involved than health benefits
counseling and requires staff and volunteers who are able to effectively
deal with multiple, complex and varied plans, details, requirements and
processes. Although any of a variety of staffing structures can be used
to develop a successful project, it is recommended that key project
staff be licensed to practice law. Attorney staff should supervise other
paralegal, lay and volunteer personnel to ensure that obscure loopholes
of the various pension laws and plans are not overlooked. It is
recommended that projects evaluate and propose, as appropriate, the
utilization of volunteers, law students, and/or other low or no-cost
staffing alternatives to assist with the investigative and other pension
counseling details that do not require full legal intervention.

5.) Training and Technical Assistance:

Applicants are encouraged to include in their proposal a technical
assistance component, whereby they would outline the training and
technical assistance they would need in order to accomplish their
proposed grant objectives. Projects funded under this priority area will
receive legal training and technical assistance, and programmatic and
development guidance from the AoA-funded technical assistance project.
Assistance will be provided via telephone, electronic and standard mail,
and on-site visits. Proposals should include the necessary budget items
to cover the travel and expense related to send both program management
and key legal/counseling staff to the national training program offered
annually by the technical assistance project in Washington, DC.
Newly-funded projects should also budget for a two or three day "pension
basics" training, incorporating expertise from the national technical
assistance project as well as legal and managerial staff from
experienced counseling projects. Other creative or innovative methods
for utilizing the services of the technical assistance project are
strongly encouraged, but should be negotiated prior to submission of a
proposal.

6.) Support of National Initiatives:

The proposal should address how project efforts will integrate with and
support both the national Pension Counseling and Information Program and
other national pension counseling initiatives sponsored by the AoA and
others, which should include, but not be limited to: communicating
valuable insights regarding legal issues or programmatic concerns via
the pension projects e-mail group list; providing state and local
pension fact sheets and other information to the national PensionHelp
American website ([www.pensionhelp.net](http://www.pensionhelp.net/)) or
to national information databases currently being developed;
participating in the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation "Pension
Search Partners" Program; and provision of program and client data
(protecting for confidences) to the technical assistance project for
their evaluation and reporting. Sufficient budget resources should be
dedicated to ensure a functional computer network between counseling
staff, as well as appropriate software licenses to support an
AoA-recommended data collection and reporting program.

The AoA intends to fund two (2) regional projects at a federal share of
approximately \$150,000 per year and an expected budget period of up to
three (3) years for each project. Applicants should recognize, however,
that the continuation awards for the second and third years of the
projects are contingent upon the grantees performance, the availability
of funds and the best interest of the government.

# AoA-03-07 K - Pension Technical Assistance Project - National

**1. Background**

**[Statutory Authority]{.underline}**

The statutory authority for grants under this program announcement is
contained in Title II of the Older Americans Act, (42U.S.C. 3001 et
seq.) as amended by the Older Americans Act of 2000, P.L. 106-501
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance 93.048 Title II, Discretionary
Projects).

**[Application Due Date]{.underline}**

The deadline date for submission of applications under this program
announcement is August 15, 2003.

**[Project Funding, Duration, and Match]{.underline}**

AoA plans to fund one (1) national technical assistance grant that will
strengthen the role of its Pension Counseling and Information Projects
and encourage coordination between the projects, State and Area Agencies
on Aging and legal services providers for older Americans by providing
substantive legal training, technical assistance and programmatic
consultation. The project will also design and develop a national
Pension Assistance Call Center to provide information and referral
services to anyone in the country with pension or retirement income plan
questions or problems. The project will be funded at a federal share of
approximately \$400,000 per year for a project period up to three years.
The grantee is required to cover at least 25% of the total program costs
from non-federal cash or in-kind resources - see instructions on AoA
match requirement in the Instructions Section.

## 

## Eligible Applicants

Applicant eligibility for the Pension Counseling and Information Program
Technical Assistance Project is open under Section 215 of the Older
Americans Act, to state or area agencies on aging, and nonprofit
organizations, including community-based and faith-based organizations,
with a proven record of providing pension counseling and/or other
services directly related to the retirement income security of older
individuals. Applicants providing these services to Native Americans are
specifically encouraged to apply.

### 

### Priority Target Populations and Organizations

Applicants must involve community-based organizations in the planning
and implementation of their project. Applicants must also include
disadvantaged populations, including limited English-speaking
populations, as a target population for their proposed intervention.
Applicants should ideally be well-established, known presences in their
respective professional communities and should describe their ability to
provide services under the program on a national basis.

**[For Further Information]{.underline}**

Contact Valerie Soroka, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,
Administration on Aging, Office of Consumer Choice and Protection,
Washington, DC, 20201, telephone: (202) 357-3531, e-mail:
<valerie.soroka@aoa.gov>

##### 

##### 2. Priority Area Description

a.  [AoA-03-07 K Background on Priority Area]{.underline}

The world of pensions is extraordinarily complex for workers, retirees
and their spouses and survivors. Some sort of pension plan covers most
government employees and many people in private industry. Income from an
employer-sponsored pension accounts for approximately 20% of the income
of older persons. Overall, two out of every five older household units
receive income from public and/or private pension benefits other than
Social Security. There are over 700,000 private pension and other
retirement income plans in the nation. Governed by a mix of federal
pension and tax laws, each of these plans may have its own particular
benefits structure and administrative procedures. Adding to the overall
complexity of the pension landscape are the tens of thousands of
governmental and church plans across the country, and another confusing
web of laws and regulations.

The average individual often finds it difficult or impossible to
navigate this complicated environment, especially given the recent
trends involving cash-balance conversions, corporate merger and
acquisition activity, workforce mobility, and plan under funding and
termination. Compounding these systemic problems are societal issues
such as illiteracy and innumeracy, and other personal dynamics related
to aging and culture. With the increase in individual account retirement
income plans, specifically 401(k) plans, participants are now being
asked to fund, manage, and bear the investment risk associated with
these retirement income vehicles, requiring them to undertake tasks
previously reserved for the highly trained pension professional. For
those individuals who understand enough about their retirement plans to
know that something may be wrong or that they need assistance, their
disappointment continues as they search from among the relatively few
resources available for a pension professional who is both competent and
willing to help. Participant frustration is also increased by the fact
that no single government agency has the formal responsibility to look
out for and assist participants within these complex and varied plans.

In 1992, Congress recognized that there were very few resources
available to assist older workers and retirees and their families to
maneuver their way through the pension maze. As a result, Congress
directed the AoA to develop demonstration projects that would provide
counseling and information to better help these individuals understand
and enforce their pension rights. Since 1993, the AoA has funded several
pension counseling projects to meet consumer need, and a technical
assistance project that provides training and technical assistance for
the counseling projects as well as for state and area agencies on aging,
legal services programs and other agencies and individuals who need
assistance on pension issues. The program currently serves 16 states
and, to date has helped tens of thousands of clients to recover nearly
\$50 million in pension and retirement income benefits.

The success of the pension counseling project demonstrations led
Congress to establish pension counseling as a permanent program under
Title II of the Older Americans Act in 2000. The statute now calls for a
continuation of pension counseling and makes it a service that should be
available for all Americans. The AoA has spent considerable time
evaluating the pension counseling and information projects funded since
1993 with a view toward expanding the program to cover the nation. It is
the AoA\'s intent to fund the expansion of the program over a period of
several years to ensure that there will be a sufficient number of
trained staff to develop a nationwide program.

b.  [AoA-03-07 K- Project Objectives]{.underline}

To further the process of expanding the Pension Counseling and
Information Program nationally, the AoA plans to fund one (1) national
technical assistance project that will serve two primary functions.
First, the project will provide substantive legal training and technical
assistance, as well as programmatic consultation, to the Pension
Counseling and Information Project network, State and Area Agencies on
Aging, and legal services providers for older Americans. Through this
function, the project will strengthen the presence and effectiveness of
the pension counseling network by coordinating and encouraging close
cooperation among the Pension Counseling Projects, government pension
agencies, private pension professionals and the media. Second, the
project will design and develop a comprehensive electronic database of
pension and retirement income-related information, government agencies,
private professionals and other resources to serve as the underpinning
of a national toll-free pension assistance Call Center. The project will
also develop and test an expert system to manage the information Call
Center that operators will use in assisting callers. The project will
then test these systems for usability and, in conjunction with AoA,
staff, market, and initiate the Call Center service to Americans with
pension or retirement income plan questions or problems.

While the technical assistance project function of the grantee will
remain relatively constant, providing continued support over the course
of the grant, the Call Center function will fundamentally change and
grow over the project period, with the first year primarily dedicated to
development, design, testing and analysis. Later years will be dedicated
to regional and national implementation in conjunction and coordination
with the needs of the Administration on Aging, particularly with regard
to direct linkage of the Call Center with the AoA's Eldercare Locator.

The AoA expects this project to build on the experience of the pension
counseling projects, the current technical assistance project, and key
government and private pension-related entities. This information will
enable the grantee to design and implement innovative and cost-effective
measures to ensure that Americans eligible for pension and retirement
income benefits have the requisite knowledge, information and counseling
to fully exercise their rights and entitlements. Applicants should
propose a sufficient number of staff positions to ensure efficient and
effective accomplishment of stated objectives.

Applicants must submit a plan to:

1)  Establish or expand a national pension counseling technical
    assistance project that includes, but is not limited to the
    following components:

> a\) [Training]{.underline}. The applicant should propose a strategy
> for meeting the training needs of pension counseling projects and
> others served under the Pension Counseling and Information Program,
> with a view toward regional expansion of individual projects and
> national Program expansion. Training and consultation programs should
> draw upon the latest statutory, regulatory and case law developments
> in federal pension law for substantive assistance, as well as the
> combined experiences and best practices of the pension counseling
> projects for programmatic consultation. The proposal should describe
> the methodology, materials and curricula that will be utilized; and
> any follow-up activities to assist those who have been trained.
> Expertise on policy and practice issues may be shared through such
> means as phone consultation, electronic and standard mail, various
> written products and materials, and teleconferencing.
>
> b\) [Technical assistance and case consultation]{.underline}. The
> applicant must provide ongoing technical assistance as needed by the
> pension counseling projects and others served under the Pension
> Counseling and Information Program, including legal research, writing,
> and back-up services to increase local service delivery capacity. The
> project should create and provide opportunities for communication and
> consultation among and between projects, as well as access to local
> and national experts for training, technical assistance and case
> consultation. The project will be responsible for analyzing and
> monitoring the development and implementation of Federal pension laws,
> regulations, and policies that affect employees, retirees and others,
> and for sharing these developments with the counseling network and
> others.
>
> c\) [Programmatic planning and design]{.underline}: The applicant will
> demonstrate how it can assist the pension counseling network and
> others served under the grant in the strategic planning and
> development of administrative systems for improved service delivery.
> Proposals should focus on systems and methods related to the
> following: client outreach, case intake and management; resource and
> support networks; data collection and reporting; project funding;
> coordination of service delivery within the pension counseling network
> as well as other key government and private pension-related entities;
> strategic planning; and implementation of best practices identified
> across the larger service delivery network. To this end, the project
> should facilitate joint ventures between the technical assistance
> project, the counseling projects, and community and/or pension-related
> public and private agencies and professionals, to affect regional
> project planning and management and improve overall quality and
> efficiency of pension counseling service delivery.
>
> d\) [Data collection and analysis]{.underline}: The applicant must
> create and implement a pension counseling data collection and
> reporting system with an "outcomes" oriented approach by which the
> effectiveness of the pension counseling program is continuously
> monitored by tracking each counseling encounter to resolution. Key
> data elements will include: client contact information and
> demographics (while protecting client confidences), plan contact
> information and plan/sponsor type, nature of problem, level of service
> provided, and incoming and outgoing referral tracking.
>
> e\) [Documentation and dissemination]{.underline}: The applicant
> should be able to organize and analyze the cumulative qualitative and
> quantitative program data to: 1) aid in a better understanding by
> workers, retirees, and beneficiaries of their pension and retirement
> income plan rights and how to enforce them; and 2) identify a set of
> "best practices" in regional pension counseling services to aid in the
> overall program's nationwide expansion, with specific recommendations
> related to implementing such practices. The applicant should propose a
> suitable reporting format (e.g., newsletter, fact sheet, periodic
> reporting) and dissemination plan.

2)  Design and develop a national toll-free pension information and
    referral Call Center that includes, but is not limited to the
    following project objectives and/or components:

    a.  [One-Stop, Personalized Service Provision]{.underline}: Design
        and develop a national toll-free pension assistance Call Center
        that will provide accurate and personalized pension-related
        information and referral for individuals seeking help with any
        pension or retirement plan governed by the federal state and
        local laws of the United States. Key aspects of the Call Center
        will include:

        i.  Single-point of entry access: Provide persons with pension
            and retirement plan questions and problems a nationwide,
            single-point of entry to meet their information and referral
            needs, regardless of their location in the United States,
            and regardless of the type of pension plan at issue.

        ii. Resource clearinghouse: Form a virtual clearinghouse for
            pension counseling and assistance resources such that a
            "one-stop-shopping" experience is created in which
            individuals seeking help can have their problems resolved
            immediately or can be directed to the most appropriate
            source to resolve their issues.

        iii. Utilization of existing resources: Leverage the
             considerable resources already present in the Pension
             Counseling projects and other related programs, government
             agencies and other public and private resources, including
             the Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security
             Administration toll-free number: 1-800-444-EBSA (3272).

        iv. Effective technology: Make efficient and judicious use of
            information technology to maximize the number of options
            available to pensioners and others who seek to resolve their
            issues and speed the delivery of information.

    b.  [Need and User Assessment and Analysis]{.underline}: Assess and
        report on anticipated user need and expectation, considering
        potential user types (e.g., employees, pensioners,
        beneficiaries, employers, pension industry professionals, legal
        personnel). Such analysis would likely include the utilization
        of focus groups and surveys as well as reference to any existing
        government or industry data on the nature and volume of pension
        inquiries. Consideration of user needs should include a proposed
        means of assessing several aspects of end-user dynamics, which
        may include:

        i.  Need based on differing demographic groups or geographic
            region

        ii. Expectations of scope and timeliness of information and
            follow-up

        iii. Concerns over credibility of information and user privacy

        iv. Preferences for receipt of information in different forms
            (telephone, Internet, fax, e-mail, standard mail)

    c.  [Delivery Model Evaluation and Analysis]{.underline}: Evaluate
        and recommend feasible and efficient models for delivery of a
        nationwide Call Center system embodying the components described
        above. Deliver a business plan for the implementation of the
        recommended approach, including: detailed outlines of available
        and appropriate information technology and system architecture;
        projected demand for call volume, email volume, fax volume, web
        hit rates, etc.; staffing levels and required level of expertise
        for staffing; modern customer service delivery models; system
        usage tracking and statistical data collection; training
        curriculum; source data for the information and referral system
        itself; and budget information covering full implementation and
        ongoing maintenance of the national Call Center.

    d.  [Data Set Development]{.underline}: Collect and organize a
        database of pension assistance information and referral
        resources based on anticipated user need (see below) and the
        experience of existing pension assistance resources to cover
        private pensions and retirement income plans, as well as state
        and federal government plans. At a minimum, referral expertise
        should be available in legal and actuarial fields, but may
        include financial planners and other pension and
        retirement-related expertise. Ultimately, these information
        resources should fully enable Call Center staff to efficiently
        and effectively provide answers to callers' inquiries and
        referrals to appropriate resources

    e.  "[Expert" System Design and Testing]{.underline}: Design an
        online "expert" decision system, allowing Call Center staff to
        analyze callers' inquiries to efficiently and accurately provide
        the end user essential, detailed and personalized information
        and referral related to their specific pension or retirement
        income plan inquiry, regardless of U.S. location or pension
        plan/sponsor type. Test the usability of the system for
        application by Call Center staff as well as other "second-level"
        user groups including staff from counseling projects and others
        served by the grant, public library and aging center staff, and
        others. This component of the project should also include the
        development of a Call Center training model that would
        incorporate a complete outline of the training needs of Call
        Center staff, as well as a model curriculum covering critical
        elements of substantive and procedural Call Center casework.

    f.  [Staffing, Marketing and Operational Design and
        Budgeting]{.underline}: Deliver a business plan for full
        operational implementation of the Call Center information and
        referral service with operation recommendations and financial
        forecasting for full Call Center operation, including
        telecommunications technologies, facilities, staffing, training,
        and national marketing and outreach. Propose the means by which
        the following considerations will be addressed in implementation
        of the Call Center:

        i.  The staffing levels, both in terms of the number and types
            of personnel needed and the knowledge, skills, and abilities
            that these Call Center personnel should possess.

        ii. The means and costs for selecting and training personnel.

        iii. An appropriate organizational structure for the Call
             Center, assuming different call volumes, lengths, and
             dispositions.

        iv. The workflow by which calls will be triaged and routed
            through a hierarchy of resources, as appropriate.

        v.  An analysis of the tasks that various Call Center personnel
            will perform and the development of documented standard
            operating procedures for accomplishing these tasks.

        vi. The technology and communications infrastructure needed for
            Call Center operation, including ballpark costs assuming
            different levels of automation.

        vii. A means for tracking the nature and disposition of calls,
             both to ensure quality of customer service and the
             management information needs for efficient operation of the
             Call Center.

        viii. The means for creating and maintaining an up-to-date
              network of legal, financial planning, and investment
              counseling resources to which callers can be referred, as
              well as a means for storing and transmitting data among
              this network of resources.

        ix. A means for ensuring data integrity, security, privacy, and
            disaster recovery.

        x.  A marketing plan to ensure nationwide awareness of the
            availability of the service, not only to pension and
            retirement income plan participants, but to critical
            government and private providers in the retirement and aging
            services networks around the country, specifically including
            those funded by the Administration on Aging.

**AoA-03-07 L - Retirement Planning and Assistance for Women**

# 1. Background

**[Statutory Authority]{.underline}**

The statutory authority for grants under this program announcement is
contained in Title IV of the Older Americans Act, (42U.S.C. 3001 et
seq.) as amended by the Older Americans Act of 2000, P.L. 106-501
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance 93.048, Title IV Discretionary
Projects).

**[Application Due Date]{.underline}**

The deadline date for submission of applications under this program
announcement is August 15, 2003.

**[Project Funding, Duration, and Match]{.underline}**

AoA plans to award one cooperative agreement through this competition.
Number range CHAPTERThe award is a cooperative agreement because the
Administration on Aging will be substantially involved in the
development and execution of the activities of the grantee. Accordingly,
under this cooperative agreement, the AoA shall carry out the following
activities: collaborate with the Center in the development, modification
and execution of the Center work plan; provide technical advice in the
identification, adaptation and development of financial and retirement
planning informational materials for women; and coordinate with the
Center on the identification of emerging financial issues facing women,
as well as in development of potential strategies to address these
issues nationally. The Center shall carry out the following activities
under this cooperative agreement: collaborate with the AoA in the
development, modification, and execution of the Center work plan;
consult with the AoA in developing and providing technical assistance,
training and consultation to the aging network and other organizations;
and coordinate Center activities with other related AoA projects such as
the Pension Counseling Program. The Center will also collaborate with
AoA in evaluation of the impact of Center activities.

The federal share will be up to \$248,376 *a year,* with a project
period of up to three (3) years. Grantees are required to cover at least
25% of the total program cost from non-federal cash or in-kind
resources. Contributions must be at least one (1) dollar in non-federal
cash or in-kind resources for every three (3) dollars received in
federal funding. See instructions on AoA match requirement in the
Instructions Section. Applications for funding beyond the initial budget
period will be reviewed on a non-competitive basis. Continuation is
subject to the availability of funds, grantee's satisfactory progress
and a determination that continued funding will be in the best interest
of the government.

## Eligible Applicants

Public and/or nonprofit agencies and organizations, including
faith-based and community-based organizations, are eligible to apply
under this program announcement. To be considered for funding,
applicants must demonstrate extensive knowledge and a proven track
record of expertise concerning the nature of financial and retirement
education, economic security and women, and communication with low
income women and women of color in a nationwide arena.

### Priority Target Populations and Organizations

# Applicants must involve community-based organizations in the planning and implementation of their project. Also, applicants must include disadvantaged populations, including limited-English speaking populations, as target populations for their proposed intervention(s). 

# 

**[For Further Information]{.underline}**

Contact Dianne Freeman, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,
Administration on Aging, Washington, DC 20201, telephone: (202)
357-3536, e-mail: dianne.freeman@aoa.gov

##### 2. Priority Area Description

a\. [AoA-03-07 L-- Background on Priority Area]{.underline}

Recognizing the critical components of economic security for older
women, the Administration on Aging is calling for proposals to maintain
a national resource center that can provide education for low-income
women and women of color about planning for income during retirement. It
is essential for women to begin planning for their economic security in
later life as early in adulthood as possible. Number range
CHAPTERHistorically, the economic issues that women face while planning
for, and very often while moving into, retirement are complex. The
emerging 21^st^ century has ushered in a vacillating economy that has
surfaced issues that make planning for economic security during a
woman's later years more perplexing.

Data from the 2000 Census indicate that women continue to look forward
to a greater number of years living alone, solely responsible for their
own well being, on limited incomes. Older women outnumber older men by
about 6 million -- 20 million older women as compared to 14 million
older men. On average, women who reach age 65 can expect to live about
19 more years, as compared to men who can expect to live about 17 more
years. Half of all women over age 75 live alone. Women who are currently
retired or widowed face issues that often are different from issues
women in the cohorts following in their footsteps face in the workplace
and beyond.

Studies have shown that many working women in their forties and fifties
can look forward to smaller pensions than those of men, or to no pension
at all because of careers that consisted of part-time work and/or
erratic work histories at smaller salaries. Often the erratic work
patterns women experience are a result of family caregiving
responsibilities that forced them out of the workplace for extended
periods of time. And, although some issues may be different for 35 year
old women and for the cohorts of working women that succeed them, women
continue to experience a lower rate of pay overall than men. Moreover,
the changing roles of women, especially in the workplace, and pension
and retirement laws that have not taken into consideration the evolving
patterns of women in the workforce, remain primary among the issues
faced by women today.

Data from 2001indicate thatNumber range CHAPTER two out of three working
women earn less than \$30,000 a year, with 70% of African American women
and 80% of Latinas earning less than \$30,000 annually. In contrast, 47%
of men earn less than \$30,000 a year. Women change jobs frequently, and
in doing so, jeopardize opportunities to meet vesting requirements.
Women are more likely to work part-time jobs, often to meet caregiving
or other family responsibilities. Jobs held predominately by women
commanded salaries of from 17 to 20 percent less than comparable jobs
held by men. The salaries of women college graduates fall below their
white male counterparts by over \$17,000 per year. Pension and
retirement benefits are based on the accumulation of lifetime earnings.
Accordingly, women retirees earn only half the average pension benefits
that men receive.

Today more than 97 million women over the age of 15 are employed. While
a little more than 45% of working women compared to 54 % of men
participate in pension plans. MNumber range CHAPTERany women must depend
on receiving retirement income from Number range CHAPTERtheir husband's
pension. Twenty-one percent of widows receive survivor pensions based on
their husband's benefits. Still, retirement income remains inadequate
for many women.

Although the roles of women in the workforce are evolving, factors such
as sex and age discrimination, divorce and family responsibilities
continue to impede efforts to fully prepare for economic security in the
future. Women who enter or reenter the workforce after long periods of
absence frequently find themselves working at lower paying jobs than
men. Full-time or part-time, with or without marketable skills, these
women often find themselves relegated to the bottom rung of the career
ladder and face limited opportunities to build the same type of formal
work history as men.

Discussions of policies revolving around pensions and retirement
benefits are very complicated, to say the least. Over the past two
decades, concerns about the receipt of pensions benefits in the future
have arisen because of the trend of employers toward establishing
defined contribution pension plans and converting, or moving away, from
defined benefit pension plans. The subject of pensions has many facets.
Moreover, the administration of the various types of pension plans are
impacted or influenced by a myriad of intricate federal laws and
regulations that are administered by several Federal agencies. The U.S.
Department of Labor, the Internal Revenue Service, the Pension Benefit
Guaranty Corporation, the Social Security Administration, the Department
of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs each have a role in
the administration of pensions and retirement systems in the United
States. Moreover, many states provide oversight of pensions systems
through an additional layer of laws and regulations.

b.  [AoA-03-07 L - Project Objectives]{.underline}

Although women share common experiences in the world of work, so too,
women share the experience of diversity with the American population as
at large. Planning for economic security in later life takes on an
additional dimension for low-income women and women of color. Racial and
ethnic origin, income, marital status and language often signal the need
for significant differences in the approach to delivering information.
To this end, the National Resource Center on Women and Retirement will
incorporate the latest technology to generate and disseminate knowledge
in appropriately packaged forms that can assist women, especially
low-income women and women of color, to build and strengthen their
capacity to plan for their economic security in later life. The Center
will serve as a national clearinghouse of tools and information on
retirement planning and related financial materials. The Center will
tailor its activities and work products to meet the special needs of
disadvantaged women and their families, including limited-English
speaking individuals.

# 

# The National Resource Center on Women and Retirement shall carry out the following activities: 

-   Provide up-to-date information to women and their families on
    retirement planning including savings, types of pension plans,
    financial materials and sources for financial information that will
    assist them in planning for retirement and in sharing the knowledge
    they gain with younger women, especially younger women in their
    families.

-   Develop and maintain a web-based information clearinghouse on all
    programs (including public and private programs) containing model
    interventions, especially communication strategies that have shown
    promise for reaching limited English speaking and other hard to
    reach individuals.

-   Establish or maintain a lending library of information on sources of
    retirement planning and other financial interventions, promising
    practices, research, training and technical assistance programs, and
    public awareness campaigns. The Center shall retain copies of
    reports, curricula, CD ROMs, journal articles, posters, brochures,
    videos, books, pamphlets and other materials on these subjects.
    Those wishing to duplicate these materials shall be able to
    download, order or borrow them via the Center web site.

-   Provide technical assistance, training and consultation to state and
    area agencies on aging, other public and nonprofit private agencies
    and community and faith-based organizations to assist these agencies
    and organizations in planning, implementing, improving, coordinating
    and evaluating programs and activities relating to the unique
    retirement planning and financial management issues facing
    low-income women and women of color. This technical assistance,
    training, and consultation shall be carried out directly on-site as
    well as through state-of-the-art communication and technology-based
    methods.

-   Compile, publish, and disseminate training materials for personnel
    who are assisting or intend to assist women with planning for their
    economic security in later life.

-   Conduct research to evaluate interventions.

-   Compile, publish and disseminate information regarding intervention
    strategies for reaching low-income women and women of color with
    complicated financial information.

-   Identify emerging issues in the area of women and financial or
    retirement planning and disseminate informational materials about
    such issues, including those such as predatory lending, identity
    theft and other predatory practices.

-   Prepare and disseminate fact sheets and specialized information
    packets that address a range of issues related to women and
    retirement planning.

-   Coordinate Center activities with projects participating in the
    Administration on Aging Pension Counseling Program, and other
    Federal, state and private financial education programs.

# AoA 03-07 M - Senior Legal Services - Enhancement of Access

# 1. Background

**[Statutory Authority]{.underline}**

The statutory authority for grants under this program announcement is
contained in Title IV of the Older Americans Act, (42U.S.C. 3001 et
seq.) as amended by the Older Americans Act of 2000, P.L. 106-501
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance 93.048, Title IV Discretionary
Projects).

**[Application Due Date]{.underline}**

The deadline date for submission of applications under this program
announcement is August 15, 2003.

**[Project Funding, Duration, and Match]{.underline}**

AoA plans to fund approximately three (3) to four (4) new statewide
grants through this competition. Each project will be funded at a
federal share of approximately \$100,000 - \$150,000 per year for up to
three years, the amount roughly proportionate to the state's senior
population and the availability of federal funds. Grantees are required
to cover at least 25% of the total program costs from non-federal cash
or in-kind resources - see instructions on AoA match requirement in the
Instructions Section.

## Eligible Applicants

Public and/or nonprofit agencies and organizations, including
faith-based organizations and community-based organizations, are
eligible to apply under this program announcement. To be considered for
funding, applicants must be experienced in providing legal assistance to
older persons.

### Priority Target Populations and Organizations

Applicants must involve community-based organizations in the planning
and implementation of their project. Applicants must also include
disadvantaged populations, including limited-English speaking
populations, as a target population for their proposed intervention.

**[For Further Information]{.underline}**

Contact Valerie Soroka, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,
Administration on Aging, Washington, DC 20201, telephone: (202)
357-3531, e-mail: <valerie.soroka@aoa.gov>

##### 

##### 2. Priority Area Description

a\. [AoA-03-07 M -- Background on Priority Area]{.underline}

Many older Americans today must confront a myriad of issues and
decisions regarding their basic rights, benefits, and living conditions.
In many such instances, legal advice and service are crucial to the
successful resolution of these matters. In some cases, added outreach
and advocacy efforts are needed to assist those with physical or mental
disabilities, social isolation, limited educational attainment or
limited financial resources.

AoA's legal programs help to ensure that older Americans and their
caregivers receive critical information in areas such as consumer
protection, public benefits, resident's rights, guardianship, and health
and financial advance planning. Title IIIB of the Older Americans Act
(OAA) is one of the top funding sources for low-income senior legal
services. There are approximately 1,000 Title IIIB legal services
providers nationwide, which provide over one million hours of legal
assistance per year. AoA also funds 13 senior legal help-lines under
Title IV, and Title VII of the OAA requires each state to appoint a
Legal Assistance Developer. Similar to a state Long-term Care Ombudsman,
this person is responsible for developing and coordinating the state's
legal services and elder rights programs.

The Internet and other new technologies have greatly enhanced the
ability of these providers and advocates to coordinate their activities
and provide legal information and services to seniors. Though technology
has improved the quality and quantity of elder rights information and
services, there remains a great need to enhance seniors' access to legal
services. This is particularly true for underserved groups, such as
ethnic minorities, low-income seniors, limited-English speaking
individuals, and seniors who reside in rural areas or are homebound or
lack transportation to visit a traditional law office.

Grants to Enhance Access to Senior Legal Services provide states with a
cost-effective way to increase the number of seniors who receive legal
assistance. Building upon methods previously tested under Title IV of
the OAA, such as statewide legal Call Centers, self-help offices,
interactive websites, and collaborative efforts, these grants can
enhance access to legal services for underserved seniors. For example,
the senior legal help-lines in Augusta, Maine and Washington D.C. serve
as the advice and brief services units of their full-service Title IIIB
legal services providers. These programs have increased both the total
number of clients served and the number of extended services rendered.
The Washington, D.C. help-line also developed community-based self-help
offices to reach minority seniors, and the Boise, Idaho hotline
developed an interactive website that rural seniors can access from
their homes or at their local libraries.

b\. [AoA-03-07 M - Project Objectives]{.underline}

Applicants preparing proposals under this program announcement to
establish statewide Grants to Enhance Access to Senior Legal Services
should demonstrate knowledge of the history and policy considerations
surrounding access to and delivery of legal services to older Americans.
Applicants are expected to present a clear connection between identified
legal services access and delivery gaps and needs, and the proposed
activities.

Applicants should be familiar with the models of access and delivery
that have been established across the country, such as the statewide
legal Call Centers developed since the mid-1980s. In addition,
applicants should demonstrate a thorough understanding of the activities
of previous and current AoA grantees and should incorporate promising
practices in the design of their applications.

To better gauge the potential for expansion and innovation, the
applicant should describe expectations for the future course of the
project, addressing the following points**:**

-   The innovativeness of the program; a justification for the claim
    that the project is breaking new ground;

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-   How the model would significantly contribute to the current state of
    knowledge and practice regarding legal assistance to the elderly;
    and

-   The feasibility of the model (i.e., is it logical, practical,
    realistic, and on solid financial footing? Is it replicable?).

The following requirements should be addressed in all proposals:

-   Applicants must propose a plan providing statewide coverage.

-   Applicants must demonstrate how the proposal expands and improves
    access to legal services for older Americans.

-   Applicants must demonstrate how the proposal contributes to the
    integration of the delivery of senior legal services.

-   Applicants must include community-based organizations in the
    planning and development of their project.

-   Applicants must include disadvantaged populations, including
    limited-English speaking populations, as a target population for
    their proposed intervention.

-   Applicants must provide detailed specifics about the goals,
    implementation strategies, and outcomes of their proposal.

-   Applicants must propose innovative methods to reach underserved
    populations and expand the reach of legal services programs,
    including through the use of state-of-the-art communication and
    technology-based methods.

-   Applicants must demonstrate plans to foster linkages with
    community-based aging services providers and elder rights
    professionals.

-   Applicants must collaborate with the state legal assistance
    developer and the Title IIIB and Legal Services Corporation
    providers in carrying out project activities.

-   Applicants must receive the endorsement of the State Agency on Aging
    and the State Bar Association (the voluntary and/or mandatory Bar,
    whichever is appropriate).

-   When utilizing telephone help-lines, applicants must commit to
    pursue linkages with established national Call Centers, such as the
    AoA Eldercare Locator.

-   To foster regional coverage, grantees, where appropriate, shall
    provide advice regarding federal court decisions to people who
    reside in the pertinent federal judicial circuit.

**THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS THE SAME FOR ALL THIRTEEN PRIORITY AREAS
DESCRIBED ABOVE. A SEPARATE APPLICATION MUST BE SUBMITTED IF APPLICATION
IS MADE FOR MORE THAN ONE PRIORITY AREA.**

**II. INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING THE PROJECT NARRATIVE**

The Project Narrative is the most important part of the application,
since it will be used as the primary basis by AoA to determine whether
or not your project meets the minimum requirements for grants under
Title II of the Older Americans Act.

# 

## A. Standard Components

The Project Narrative should provide a clear and concise description of
your project. AoA recommends that your project narrative include the
following components:

1\. **[Summary/Abstract.]{.underline}** This section should include a
brief - **no more than 150 words maximum** - description of the proposed
project, including: the goal, the list of objectives and the products to
be developed. Detailed instructions for completing the summary/abstract
are included in the appendix of this document.

2\. **[Problem Statement.]{.underline}** This section should describe,
in both quantitative and qualitative terms, the nature and scope of the
particular problem or issue the proposed intervention is designed to
address, including how the project will potentially affect the elderly
population and/or their caregivers (including specific subgroups within
those populations), and possibly the health care and social services
systems (e.g., the use of health care and/or nursing home services.)
(Suggested Length and Format: two to four paragraphs.)

3\. **[Goal(s) and Objectives.]{.underline}** This section should
consist of a description of the project's goal(s) and major objectives.
NOTE: Unless the project involves multiple, complex interventions, we
recommend you have only one overall goal. (Suggested Length and Format:
Preferably, include this information in the attached project work plan
grid; alternatively, use a bulleted format or describe in one
paragraph.)

4.  **[Proposed Intervention.]{.underline}** This section should provide
    a clear and concise description of the intervention you are
    proposing to use to address the problem described in section 2. You
    should also describe the rationale for using the particular
    intervention, including factors such as: "lessons learned" for
    similar projects previously tested in your community, or in other
    areas of the country; factors in the larger environment that have
    created the "right conditions" for the intervention (e.g., existing
    social, economic or political factors that you'll be able to take
    advantage of, etc.). Also note any major barriers you anticipate
    encountering, and how your project will be able to overcome those
    barriers. Be sure to describe the role and makeup of any strategic
    partnerships you plan to involve in implementing the intervention,
    including other organizations, funders, and/or consumer groups.
    (Suggested Length and Format: Four to six paragraphs.)

5\. **[Special Target Populations and Organizations.]{.underline}** This
section should describe how you plan to involve faith-based and/or
community-based organizations in a meaningful way in the planning and
implementation of the proposal project. This section should also
describe how the proposed intervention will target disadvantaged
populations, including limited-English speaking populations.

6\. **[Outcome(s).]{.underline}** This section should clearly identify
the measurable outcome(s) that will result from the project. (NOTE: AoA
will only fund projects that include measurable outcomes -- please see
below for a definition of a measurable outcome.). You should also
describe how the project might benefit the field at large, e.g., how the
findings could help other organizations address the same or similar
problems. (Suggested Length and Format: You may describe your measurable
outcome(s) using the attached work plan grid, or you can explain each
one in a paragraph. For your description of how the project might
benefit the field at large, please provide one to three paragraphs.)

> NOTE: You should focus on describing what outcome(s) will be produced
> by the project. Please use the Evaluation section below to describe
> how you will measure and report the outcome(s).
>
> DEFINITION OF A MEASURABLE OUTCOME:
>
> A "measurable outcome" is an observable end-result that describes how
> a particular intervention benefits seniors (or advocates,
> professionals, etc.). It demonstrates the "impact" of the intervention
> (e.g., a change in a client's financial, health and/or functional
> status, mental well-being, knowledge, skill, attitude, awareness or
> behavior.) It can also describe a change in the degree to which
> consumers exercise choice over the types of services they receive, or
> whether they are satisfied with the way a service is delivered.
> Additional examples include: a change in the responsiveness or
> cost-effectiveness of a service delivery system; a new model of
> support or care that can be replicated in the aging network; or new
> knowledge that can contribute to the field of aging.
>
> A measurable outcome IS NOT a measurable output, such as: the number
> of clients served; the number of training sessions conducted; the
> number of service units provided; or tangible products and/or reports.
>
> NOTE: Your application will be scored on the clarity and nature of
> your proposed outcome(s), NOT on the number of outcomes you cite. It
> is appropriate for a project to have only ONE outcome.

7\. **[Project Management.]{.underline}** This section should include a
clear delineation of the roles and responsibilities of project staff,
consultants and partner organizations, and how they will contribute to
achieving the project's objectives and outcomes. It should specify who
would have day-to-day responsibility for key tasks such as: leadership
of project; monitoring the project's on-going progress, preparation of
reports; communications with other partners and AoA. It should also
describe the approach that will be used to monitor and track progress on
the project's tasks and objectives. (Suggested Length and Format: Three
paragraphs.)

8\. [**Evaluation**.]{.underline} This section should describe the
methods that you will use to evaluate whether or not the proposed
intervention achieves its measurable outcome(s). You should describe the
quantitative and qualitative tools and techniques that you will employ
to measure the outcome(s), and how you will identify and document the
"lessons learned." (Suggested Length and Format: Five to eight
paragraphs.)

9\. **[Dissemination.]{.underline}** This section should describe the
method that will be used to disseminate the project's results and
findings in a timely manner and in easily understandable formats, to
parties who might be interested in using the results of the project to
inform practice, service delivery, program development, and/or
policy-making, including and especially those parties who would be
interested in replicating the project. (Suggested Length -- three to
five paragraphs.)

10\. **[Work Plan.]{.underline}** The Project Work Plan should reflect
and be consistent with the Project Narrative and Budget. It should
include a statement of the project's overall goal, anticipated
outcome(s), key objectives, and the major tasks / action steps that will
be pursued to achieve the goal and outcome(s). For each major
task/action step, the work plan should identify the timeframes involved
(including start- and end-dates), and the lead person responsible for
completing the task. A Sample Work Plan format for your use is included
in the Attachments. (Suggested Length and Format: use the sample grid;
alternatively, not more than two pages preferably presented in bulleted
format.)

11\. **[Organizational Capability Statement and Vitae for Key Project
Personnel.]{.underline}** Each application should include an
organizational capability statement and vitae for key project personnel.
The organizational capability statement should describe how the
applicant agency (or the particular division of a larger agency which
will have responsibility for this project) is organized, the nature and
scope of its work and/or the capabilities it possesses. This description
should cover capabilities of the applicant agency not included in the
program narrative, such as any current or previous relevant experience
and/or the record of the project team in preparing cogent and useful
reports, publications, and other products. If appropriate, include an
organization chart showing the relationship of the project to the
current organization. Include short vitae for key project staff only.
Also include information about any contractual organization(s) that will
have a significant role(s) in implementing project and achieving project
goals.

12\. **[Letters of Commitment From Key Participating Organizations and
Agencies.]{.underline}** Include confirmation of the commitments to the
project (should it be funded) made by key collaborating organizations
and agencies in this part of the application. Any organization that is
specifically named to have a significant role in carrying out the
project should be considered an essential collaborator.

**B. Required Format and Length**

The Project Narrative must be double-spaced, on single-sided 8 ½" x 11"
plain white paper with 1" margins on both sides, and a font size of not
less than 11. You can use smaller font sizes to fill in the Standard
Forms and Sample Formats. The suggested length for the Project Narrative
is ten to twenty pages; twenty pages is the maximum length allowed. AoA
will not accept applications with a Project Narrative that exceeds 20
pages, excluding the Project Work Plan. NOTE: The Project Work Plan,
Letters of Cooperation, and Vitae of Key Personnel are not counted as
part of the Project Narrative for purposes of the 20-page limit, but all
of the other sections noted above are included in the limit, including
Sections, 1 through 8, and Section 10 except for the Vitae.

# III. INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING STANDARD FORMS

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
  This section provides step-by-step instructions for completing the four
  (4) standard federal forms required by as part of your grant
  application, including special instructions for completing Standard
  Budget Forms 424 and 424A. Standard Forms 424 and 424A are used for a
  wide variety of federal grant programs, and federal agencies have the
  discretion to require some or all of the information on these forms.
  AoA does not require all the information on these Standard Forms.
  Accordingly, please use the instructions below in lieu of the standard
  instructions attached to SF 424 and 424A to complete these forms.
  Please note that single-sided copies of all required forms must be used
  in submitting your application.

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------

###### A. Standard Form 424

## Item 1. Mark "Non-Construction" under "Application".

[Item 2]{.underline}. Fill in the date you submit the application. The
three "Identifier" boxes to the right of Items 2 through 4 should be
left blank.

[Item 3]{.underline}. Not applicable -- Mark "NA".

[Item 4]{.underline}. Leave blank.

[Item 5]{.underline}. Enter the legal name of the applicant
organization; the name of the primary organizational unit responsible
for managing the project; the applicant's address; and the name and
telephone number of the person to contact on matters related to this
application.

[Item 6]{.underline}. Enter the Employer Identification Number (EIN) of
the applicant organization that has been assigned to the organization by
the Internal Revenue Service. Please include the suffix to the EIN if
known.

[Item 7]{.underline}. Enter the appropriate letter in the box provided.

[Item 8]{.underline}. Check the "New" box.

[Item 9]{.underline}. Enter - Administration on Aging

[Item 10]{.underline}. Enter -- 93.048

[Item 11]{.underline}. Enter the title of the project.

[Item 12]{.underline}. List only one entity - it should be the largest
political entity affected.

[Item 13]{.underline}. Enter the start and end date for the upcoming
budget period for the project. (NOTE: The start date usually coincides
with the date AoA issues the grant award to the applicant organization,
with the end date usually being 12 months later.)

[Item 14]{.underline}. Enter the Congressional District(s) affected by
the project.

[Item 14a]{.underline}.Enter the Congressional District where the
applicant organization is located.

[Item 14b]{.underline}. Leave Blank

[Item 15]{.underline}. **NOTE:** Applicants should review cost sharing
or matching principles contained in Subpart C of 45 CFR Part 74 or 45
CFR Part 92 before completing Item 15 and the Budget Information
Sections A, B and C noted below.

> All budget information entered under item 15 should cover the upcoming
> budget period. For sub-item 15a, enter the federal funds being
> requested. Sub-items 15b-15e are considered matching funds. The dollar
> amounts entered in sub-items 15b-15f must total at least 1/3^rd^ of
> the amount of federal funds being requested (the amount in 15a). For a
> full explanation of AoA's match requirements, see the information in
> the box below. For sub-item 15f, enter only the amount, if any, that
> is going to be used as part of the required match.
>
> There are three types of match: 1.) non-federal cash; 2.) non-federal
> non-cash (i.e., in-kind); and program income. In general, costs borne
> by the applicant and cash contributions of any and all third parties
> involved in the project, including sub-grantees, contractors and
> consultants, are consider [cash matching funds]{.underline}.
> Generally, most contributions from third parties will be non-cash
> (i.e., in-kind) matching funds. Examples of [non-cash (in-kind)
> match]{.underline} include: volunteered time and use of facilities to
> hold meetings or conduct project activities. A third form of
> non-federal match is projected [program income]{.underline} derived
> from activities of the project such as participant fees and sale of
> publications. [Only program income that is to be used as part of the
> required match should be shown on Line 15.]{.underline}

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| #### AOA's Match Requirement                                          |
|                                                                       |
| Under this and other OAA programs, AoA will fund no more than 75 % of |
| the project's total cost, which means the applicant must cover at     |
| least 25% of the project's total cost with non-federal resources. In  |
| other words, for every three (3) dollars received in federal funding, |
| the applicant must contribute at least one (1) dollar in non-federal  |
| resources toward the project's total cost (i.e., the amount on line   |
| 15g.). This "three-to-one" ratio is reflected in the following        |
| formula which you can use to calculate your minimum required match:   |
|                                                                       |
| ##                                                                    |
|                                                                       |
| ##  Minimum                                                           |
|                                                                       |
| **[Federal Funds Requested (i.e., amount on line 15a)]{.underline} =  |
| Match**                                                               |
|                                                                       |
| **3 Requirement**                                                     |
|                                                                       |
| For example, if you request \$100,000 in federal funds, then your     |
| [minimum]{.underline} match requirement is \$100,000/3 or \$33,333.   |
|                                                                       |
| A common error applicants make is to match 25% of the federal share,  |
| rather than 25% of the project's total cost, so be sure to use one of |
| the formulas above to calculate your match requirement.               |
|                                                                       |
| **If the required non-federal share is not met by a funded project,   |
| AoA will disallow any unmatched federal dollars.**                    |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

NOTE: **Indirect charges** may only be requested if: (1) the applicant
has a current indirect cost rate agreement approved by the Department of
Health and Human Services or another federal agency; or (2) the
applicant is a state or local government agency. State governments
should enter the amount of indirect costs determined in accordance with
DHHS requirements.

[Item 16]{.underline}. Check b. No - Program is not covered by E.O.
12372

[Item 17]{.underline}. This item applies to the applicant organization.
Categories of debt include delinquent audit disallowances, loans, and
taxes.

[Item 18]{.underline}. To be signed by the authorized representative of
the applicant organization. A document attesting to that sign-off
authority must be on file in the grantee's office.

**B. Standard Form 424A**

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
  NOTE: Standard Form 424A is designed to accommodate applications for
  multiple grant programs; thus, for purposes of this AoA program, many
  of the budget item columns and rows are not applicable. For your
  convenience, these non-applicable columns and rows have been shaded-out
  on the form. You should only consider and respond to the budget items
  for which guidance is provided below.

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------

##### 

##### Section A ‑ Budget Summary

[Line 5]{.underline}: Leave columns ( c) and (d) blank. Enter TOTAL
federal costs in column (e) and total non‑federal costs (including third
party in‑kind contributions and any program income to be used as part of
the grantee match) in column (f). Enter the sum of columns (e) and (f)
in column (g).

##### Section B ‑ Budget Categories

Column 3: Enter the breakdown of how you plan to use the federal funds
being

> requested by object class category (see instructions for each object
> class category below).

Column 4: Enter the breakdown of how you plan to use the non-federal
share by object class category.

Column 5: Enter the total funds required for the project (the sum of
Columns 3 and 4) by object class category.

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| ###### Separate Budget Justification Requirement                      |
|                                                                       |
| You must submit a separate budget justification as part of your       |
| application. **A blank sample format (and one with examples) has been |
| included in the attachments for your use in developing and presenting |
| your Budget Justification.** In your budget justification, you should |
| include a breakdown of the budget which shows the costs for all of    |
| the object class categories noted in Section B, across three columns: |
| federal; non-federal cash; and non-federal in-kind. The justification |
| should fully explain and justify the costs in each of the major       |
| budget items for each of the object class categories, as described    |
| below. Third party in-kind contributions and program income           |
| designated as non-federal match contributions should be clearly       |
| identified and justified separately from the justification for the    |
| budget line items. The full budget justification should be included   |
| in the application immediately following the SF 424 forms.            |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

[Line 6a]{.underline}:[Personnel]{.underline}: Enter total costs of
salaries and wages of applicant/grantee staff. Do

> not include the costs of consultants; consultant costs should be
> included under 6h ‑ Other. [In the Justification]{.underline}:
> Identify the project director, if known. Specify the key staff, their
> titles, brief summary of project related duties, and the percent of
> their time commitments to the project in the budget justification.

[Line 6b]{.underline}:[Fringe Benefits]{.underline}: Enter the total
costs of fringe benefits unless treated as part of

> an approved indirect cost rate. [In the Justification]{.underline}:
> Provide a break‑down of amounts and percentages that comprise fringe
> benefit costs, such as health insurance, FICA, retirement insurance,
> etc.

[Line 6c]{.underline}: [Travel]{.underline}: Enter total costs of
[out‑of‑town travel]{.underline} (travel requiring per diem) for

> staff of the project. Do not enter costs for consultant\'s travel -
> this should be included in line 6h. [In the
> Justification]{.underline}: Include the total number of trips,
> destinations, purpose, length of stay, subsistence allowances and
> transportation costs (including mileage rates).

[Line 6d]{.underline}: [Equipment]{.underline}: Enter the total costs of
all equipment to be acquired by the project. For all grantees,
\"equipment\" is non‑expendable tangible personal property having a
useful life of more than two years and an acquisition cost of \$5,000 or
more per unit. If the item does not meet the \$5,000 threshold, include
it in your budget under Supplies, line 6e. [In the
Justification]{.underline}: Equipment to be purchased with federal funds
must be justified as necessary for the conduct of the project. The
equipment must be used for project-related functions; the equipment, or
a reasonable facsimile, must not be otherwise available to the applicant
or its sub‑grantees. The justification also must contain plans for the
use or disposal of the equipment after the project ends.

[Line 6e]{.underline}: [Supplies:]{.underline} Enter the total costs of
all tangible expendable personal property

> (supplies) other than those included on line 6d. [In the
> Justification:]{.underline} Provide general description of types of
> items included.

[Line 6f]{.underline}: [Contractual]{.underline}: Enter the total costs
of all contracts, including (1) procurement

> contracts (except those which belong on other lines such as equipment,
> supplies, etc.). Also include any contracts with organizations for the
> provision of technical assistance. Do not include payments to
> individuals on this line. [In the Justification]{.underline}: Attach a
> list of contractors indicating the name of the organization, the
> purpose of the contract, and the estimated dollar amount. If the name
> of the contractor, scope of work, and estimated costs are not
> available or have not been negotiated, indicate when this information
> will be available. **Whenever the applicant/grantee intends to
> delegate a substantial part (one-third, or more) of the project work
> to another agency, the applicant/grantee must provide a completed copy
> of Section B, Budget Categories for each contractor, along with
> supporting information and justifications.**

[Line 6g]{.underline}: [Construction]{.underline}: Leave blank since
construction is not an allowable cost under this AoA program.

[Line 6h]{.underline}:[Other]{.underline}: Enter the total of all other
costs. Such costs, where applicable, may

> include, but are not limited to: insurance, medical and dental costs
> (i.e. for project volunteers this is different from personnel fringe
> benefits); non-contractual fees and travel paid directly to
> *individual* consultants; [local]{.underline} transportation (all
> travel which does not require per diem is considered local travel);
> postage; space and equipment rentals/lease; printing and publication;
> computer use; training and staff development costs (i.e. registration
> fees). If a cost does not clearly fit under another category, and it
> qualifies as an allowable cost, then rest assured this is where it
> belongs. [In the Justification:]{.underline} Provide a reasonable
> explanation for items in this category.
>
> For individual consultants, explain the nature of services provided
> and the relation to activities in the work plan. Describe the types of
> activities for staff development costs.

[Line 6i]{.underline}: [Total Direct Charges]{.underline}: Show the
totals of Lines 6a through 6h.

[Line 6j]{.underline}: [Indirect Charges]{.underline}: Enter the total
amount of indirect charges (costs), if any. If

> no indirect costs are requested, enter \"none.\" Indirect charges may
> be requested if: (1) the applicant has a current indirect cost rate
> agreement approved by the Department of Health and Human Services or
> another federal agency; or (2) the applicant is a state or local
> government agency. [State governments should enter the amount of
> indirect costs determined in accordance with DHHS
> requirements]{.underline}

[Line 6k]{.underline}: [Total]{.underline}: Enter the total amounts of
Lines 6i and 6j.

[Line 7]{.underline}: [Program Income]{.underline}: As appropriate,
include the estimated amount of income, if any, you expect to be
generated from this project that you wish to designate as match (equal
to the amount shown for Item 15(f) on Form 424). **[Note]{.underline}:**
Any program income indicated at the bottom of Section B and for item
15(f) on the face sheet of Form 424 will be included as part of
non-Federal match and will be subject to the rules for documenting
completion of this pledge. If program income is expected, but is not
needed to achieve matching funds, **do** **not** include that portion
here or on Item 15(f) of the Form 424 face sheet. Any anticipated
program income that will not be applied as grantee match should be
described in the Level of Effort section of the Program Narrative.

##### Section C ‑ Non‑Federal Resources

[Line 12]{.underline}: Enter the amounts of non‑Federal resources that
will be used in carrying out the proposed project, by source (Applicant;
State; Other) and enter the total amount in Column (e). Do not include
program income unless it is used to meet the match requirement. Keep in
mind that if program income used to meet the match requirement and the
projected level of program income is not met, thereby decreasing the
level of match, the amount of federal funds available to the grantee may
be reduced if the match falls below required levels.

[Section D ‑ Forecasted Cash Needs]{.underline} - Not applicable.

[Section E ‑ Budget Estimate of Federal Funds Needed for Balance of the
Project]{.underline}

[Line 20]{.underline}: NOTE: Leave this line blank. Section E is
relevant only for **multi-year** grant applications, where the project
period is 24 months or longer. This section does not apply to grant
awards where the project period is less than 17 months.

###### 

###### Section F ‑ Other Budget Information

[Line 22]{.underline}: [Indirect Charges]{.underline}: Enter the type of
indirect rate (provisional, predetermined,

> final or fixed) to be in effect during the funding period, the base to
> which the rate is applied, and the total indirect costs. **Include a
> copy of your current Indirect Cost Rate Agreement.**

[Line 23]{.underline}: [Remarks]{.underline}: Provide any other comments
deemed necessary.

###### C. Standard Form 424B - Assurances

This form contains assurances required of applicants under the
discretionary funds programs administered by the Administration on
Aging. Please note that a duly authorized representative of the
applicant organization must certify that the organization is in
compliance with these assurances.

###### D. Standard Form CD-511 -- Certifications 

This form contains certifications that are required of the applicant
organization regarding (a) lobbying; (b) debarment, suspension, and
other responsibility matters; and (3) drug-free workplace requirements.
Please note that a duly authorized representative of the applicant
organization must attest to the applicant's compliance with these
certifications.

## 

## IV. APPLICATION SCREENING CRITERIA

All applications will be screened to assure a level playing field for
all applicants. Applications that fail to meet with of the two screening
criteria described below will **[not]{.underline}** be reviewed and will
receive **[no]{.underline}** further consideration.

In order for an application to be reviewed, it must meet the following
screening requirements:

1.  Applications must be postmarked by midnight, August 15, 2003 or
    hand-delivered by 5:30 p.m. Eastern Time, on August 15, 2003 or
    submitted electronically by midnight, August 15, 2003.

> Electronic submissions must be sent to: http://www.aoa.gov/egrants.
> NOTE: For electronic submissions, the required signature form must be
> postmarked by midnight, August 15, 2003, or hand-delivered by 5:30
> p.m., Eastern Time, on August 15, 2003.
>
> Paper submissions must be mailed to:
>
> Department of Health and Human Services
>
> Administration on Aging
>
> Grants Management Division
>
> Washington, DC 20201
>
> Attention: Margaret A. Tolson

Paper submissions should be delivered to:

> Department of Health and Human Services
>
> Administration on Aging
>
> Grants Management Division
>
> One Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Room 4604
>
> Washington, DC 20001
>
> Attention: Margaret A. Tolson

2.  The Project Narrative section of the application must
    **[not]{.underline}** exceed 20 pages. NOTE: The Project Work Plan,
    Letters of Cooperation, and Vitae of Key Project Personnel **[are
    not counted]{.underline}** as part of the Project Narrative for
    purposes of the 20-page limit. The components counted as part of the
    20 page limit include:

-   Executive Summary

-   Problem Statement

-   Goal(s) and Objective(s)

-   Proposed Intervention

-   Special Target Populations and Organizations

-   Outcomes

-   Project Management

-   Evaluation

-   Dissemination

-   Organizational Capability

**V. APPLICATION REVIEW PROCESS AND EVALUATION CRITERIA**

Number range CHAPTERAn independent review panel of at least three
individuals will evaluate applications that pass the screening. These
reviewers are experts in their field, and are drawn from academic
institutions, non-profit organizations, state and local government, and
federal government agencies other than AoA. Based on the specific
programmatic considerations set forth above in the priority area, the
reviewers will comment on and score the applications, focusing their
comments and scoring decisions on the criteria below.

Applications are scored by assigning a maximum of 100 points across four
criteria:

1\. [Approach, Work Plan and Activities]{.underline} [Weight: 30
points]{.underline}

a.  Is the intervention clearly defined? Does it reflect a coherent and
    feasible approach for successfully addressing the identified problem
    and achieving the identified outcome(s)? Does the project take into
    account barriers and opportunities that exist in the larger
    environment that may impact on the project's success? Does the
    intervention optimize the use of potential partnerships with other
    organizations and/or consumer groups, as appropriate? (10 points)

b.  Is the project work plan clear and comprehensive? Does it include
    sensible and feasible timeframes for the accomplishment of tasks
    presented? Does the work plan include specific objectives and tasks
    that are linked to measurable outcomes? Does the proposal include a
    clear and coherent management plan? Are the roles and
    responsibilities of project staff, consultants and partners clearly
    defined and linked to specific objectives and tasks? Are the
    qualifications of the project staff, consultants and/or partners,
    and the proposed level of effort, adequate to carryout the project?
    (10 points)

c.  Does the application describe how local community-based
    organizations will be involved in a meaningful way in the planning
    and implementation of the proposed project? Does the proposed
    include disadvantaged populations, including limited-English
    speaking populations in its target population? (10 points)

    2\. [Project Outcomes, Evaluation and Dissemination]{.underline}
    [Weight: 30 points]{.underline}

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
a.  Are the expected project benefits/results clear, realistic, and
    consistent with the objectives and purpose of the project? Are the
    anticipated outcomes of the proposed project likely to be achieved
    and will they significantly benefit the populations affected by the
    intervention, and the field of aging as a whole? Are the proposed
    outcomes quantifiable and measurable, consistent with the definition
    of a project outcome contained in Section II of the Program
    Announcement? (10 points)

b.  Does the project evaluation reflect a thoughtful and well-designed
    approach that will be able to successfully measure whether or not
    the project has achieved its proposed outcome(s)? Does the plan
    include the qualitative and/or quantitative methods necessary to
    reliably measure outcomes? Is the evaluation also designed to
    capture "lessons learned" from the overall effort that might be of
    use to others in the field of aging, especially those who might be
    interested in replicating the project? (10 points)

Will the dissemination plan get relevant and easy to use information in
a timely manner to parties that might be interested in making use of its
findings, particularly to those who might want to replicate the project?
Does the plan incorporate technology to communicate project outcomes and
products to all appropriate audiences? (10 points)

3\. [Purpose and Need for Assistance]{.underline} [Weight: 20
points]{.underline}

> a\. Does the proposed project clearly and adequately respond to the
> priority area, as described in Part 1 of this Program Announcement?
> (10 points).
>
> b\. Does the application adequately and appropriately describe and
> document the key problem(s)/condition(s) relevant to its purposes? Is
> the proposed project justified in terms of the most recent, relevant,
> and available information and knowledge? (10 points)

4\. [Level of Effort]{.underline}: [Weight: 20 points]{.underline}

a.  Do the proposed project director(s), key staff and consultants have
    the background, experience, and other qualifications required to
    carry out their designated roles? Are letters from participating
    organizations included, as appropriate, and do they express the
    clear commitment and areas of responsibility of those organizations,
    consistent with the work plan description of their intended roles
    and contributions? (10 points)

b.  Is the budget justified with respect to the adequacy and
    reasonableness of resources requested? Is the time commitment of the
    proposed director and other key project personnel sufficient to
    assure proper direction, management and timely completion of the
    project? Are budget line items clearly delineated and consistent
    with work plan objectives? (10 points)

## 

## VI. SUBMISSION OPTIONS AND APPLICATION COMPONENTS

Applicants have the option of mailing, hand delivering, or
electronically submitting their grant application.

If you elect to submit your application electronically, follow the
instructions at: <http://www.aoa.gov/egrants>.

If you elect to mail or hand delivery your application, you must submit
**one original application and two copies**, plus a completed
application checklist to AoA. The Checklist is included the Attachments.
To expedite the processing of applications, we request that you arrange
the components of your application in the following order:

1\. SF 424 [Note]{.underline}: The original copy of the application
[must]{.underline} have an original signature

in item 18d on the SF 424.

2\. SF 424A.

3\. Separate Budget Justification (See Attachments for Sample Format).

4\. SF 424B Note: Be sure to complete this form according to
instructions and have it signed and dated by the authorized
representative (see item 18d on the SF 424).

5\. SF CD-511.

6\. Proof of non-profit status.

7\. Copy of the applicant\'s most recent indirect cost agreement, as
necessary.

8\. Project Narrative with Work Plan (See Attachments for Sample Work
Plan Format).

9\. Organizational Capability Statement and Vitae for Key Project
Personnel.

10\. Letters of Commitment From Key Partners.

11\. Completed Application Package Checklist

12\. Applicant Survey Form

**Please identify on the envelope, and on the 424, Item 11., the
descriptive title of applicant's project, or in your e-mail, if
submitting electronically, the priority area for which you are
applying**. Please use the number, letter, and name (ex. AoA-03-06 C
Family Friends).

**Mail your application package to:**

> U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
>
> Administration on Aging
>
> Office of Grants Management
>
> Washington, DC 20201
>
> Attention: Margaret A. Tolson

**Hand-deliver your application package to:**

> U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
>
> Administration on Aging
>
> Office of Grants Management
>
> One Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Room 4604
>
> Washington, DC 20001
>
> Attention: Margaret A. Tolson

**Electronic submission address: http://www.aoa.gov/egrants/**

**Doing Business with AoA**

We have provided a number of resources to assist interested patrons in
doing business electronically.

Electronic Government or eGovernment is one of the Presidential
Management Initiatives. The United States government is moving toward
providing the public the ability to conduct all business with the
government electronically.

One recent requirement is that [all]{.underline} grant applications
obtain a **D-U-N-S number** from Dun and Bradstreet. This number will be
a requirement if the applicant applies on-line. It is a unique,
**nine-digit identification number**, which provides unique identifiers
of single business entities. The D-U-N-S number is *free and easy* to
obtain.

To obtain a number, please use this link:
<http://www.dnb.com/us/duns_update/index.html>

**[FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:]{.underline}**

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Administration on Aging

Office of Grants Management

Washington, D.C. 20001

Telephone: (202) 357-3440.

**ATTACHMENTS**

**Attachment A:**

**Sample Budget Justification Format with Examples**

**Attachment B:**

**Sample Budget Justification Format**

**Attachment C:**

**Sample Work Plan Format**

**Attachment D:**

**Application Package Checklist**

**Attachment E:**

**Instructions for Completing the Summary/Abstract**

**Attachment F:**

**"Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants"**

**Attachment A: Budget Justification, Page 1 -- Sample Format with
EXAMPLES**

+------+------+------+------+------+----------------------------------+
| >    | *    | **N  | **N  | # T  | ### Justification                |
| **Ob | *Fed | on-F | on-F | OTAL |                                  |
| ject | eral | eder | eder |      |                                  |
| > C  | Fun  | al** | al** |      |                                  |
| lass | ds** |      |      |      |                                  |
| > Ca |      | **Ca | **I  |      |                                  |
| tego |      | sh** | n-Ki |      |                                  |
| ry** |      |      | nd** |      |                                  |
+------+------+------+------+------+----------------------------------+
| *    | \$40 |      | \$5  | \$45 | Project Supervisor (name) =      |
| *Per | ,000 |      | ,000 | ,000 | .3FTE @ \$50,000/yr = \$15,000   |
| sonn |      |      |      |      |                                  |
| el** |      |      |      |      | Project Director (name) = 1FTE @ |
|      |      |      |      |      | \$30,000 = \$30,000              |
+------+------+------+------+------+----------------------------------+
| **Fr | \$12 | 0    | 0    | \$12 | Fringes on Supervisor and        |
| inge | ,600 |      |      | ,600 | Director @ 28% of salary.        |
| Be   |      |      |      |      |                                  |
| nefi |      |      |      |      | FICA (7.65%) = \$3,442           |
| ts** |      |      |      |      |                                  |
|      |      |      |      |      | Health (12%) = \$5,400           |
|      |      |      |      |      |                                  |
|      |      |      |      |      | Dental (5% ) = \$2,250           |
|      |      |      |      |      |                                  |
|      |      |      |      |      | Life (2%) = \$ 900               |
|      |      |      |      |      |                                  |
|      |      |      |      |      | Workers Comp Insurance (.75%) =  |
|      |      |      |      |      | \$ 338                           |
|      |      |      |      |      |                                  |
|      |      |      |      |      | Unemployment Insurance (.6%) =   |
|      |      |      |      |      | \$ 270                           |
+------+------+------+------+------+----------------------------------+
| **   | \$3  | 0    | \$   | \$3  | Travel to Annual Grantee         |
| Trav | ,000 |      | 967  | ,967 | Meeting:                         |
| el** |      |      |      |      |                                  |
|      |      |      |      |      | > Airfare: 1 RT x 2 people x     |
|      |      |      |      |      | > \$750/RT = \$1,500             |
|      |      |      |      |      | >                                |
|      |      |      |      |      | > Lodging: 3 nights x 2 people x |
|      |      |      |      |      | > \$100/night = \$ 600           |
|      |      |      |      |      | >                                |
|      |      |      |      |      | > Per Diem: 4 days x 2 people x  |
|      |      |      |      |      | > \$40/day = \$ 320              |
|      |      |      |      |      |                                  |
|      |      |      |      |      | Out-of-Town Project Site Visits  |
|      |      |      |      |      |                                  |
|      |      |      |      |      | > Car mileage: 3 trips x 2       |
|      |      |      |      |      | > people x 350 miles /trip       |
|      |      |      |      |      | >                                |
|      |      |      |      |      | > x \$365/mile = \$767           |
|      |      |      |      |      | >                                |
|      |      |      |      |      | > Lodging: 3 trips x 2 people x  |
|      |      |      |      |      | > 1 night/ trip x \$50/night =   |
|      |      |      |      |      | > \$300                          |
|      |      |      |      |      | >                                |
|      |      |      |      |      | > Per Diem: 3 trips x 2 people x |
|      |      |      |      |      | > 2days/trip x \$40/day = \$480  |
+------+------+------+------+------+----------------------------------+

Attachment A: Budget Justification, Page 2 - Sample Format with EXAMPLES

+------+-----+------+------+------+----------------------------------+
| **Ob | **  | ###  | *    | ##   | ### Justification                |
| ject | Fed | ## * | *Non | ## * |                                  |
| Cla  | era | Non- | -Fed | [TOT |                                  |
| ss** | l** | Fede | eral | AL]{ |                                  |
|      |     | ral* | I    | .und |                                  |
| **Ca | #   |      | n-Ki | erli |                                  |
| tego |  Fu | #### | nd** | ne}* |                                  |
| ry** | nds | # *C |      |      |                                  |
|      |     | ash* |      |      |                                  |
+------+-----+------+------+------+----------------------------------+
| *    | 0   | 0    | 0    | 0    | No equipment requested           |
| *Equ |     |      |      |      |                                  |
| ipme |     |      |      |      |                                  |
| nt** |     |      |      |      |                                  |
+------+-----+------+------+------+----------------------------------+
| **Su | \   |      | \$2  | \$3  | Laptop computer for use in       |
| ppli | $1, |      | ,000 | ,500 | client intakes = \$1,340         |
| es** | 500 |      |      |      |                                  |
|      |     |      |      |      | Consumable supplies (paper,      |
|      |     |      |      |      | pens, etc.)                      |
|      |     |      |      |      |                                  |
|      |     |      |      |      | \$100/mo x 12 months = \$1,200   |
|      |     |      |      |      |                                  |
|      |     |      |      |      | Copying \$80/mo x 12 months =    |
|      |     |      |      |      | \$, 960                          |
+------+-----+------+------+------+----------------------------------+
| **C  | \$2 | \$50 | 0    | \    | Contracts to A,B,C direct        |
| ontr | 00, | ,000 |      | $250 | service providers (name          |
| actu | 000 |      |      | ,000 | providers)                       |
| al** |     |      |      |      |                                  |
|      |     |      |      |      | adult day care contractor =      |
|      |     |      |      |      | \$75,000                         |
|      |     |      |      |      |                                  |
|      |     |      |      |      | respite care contractor in home= |
|      |     |      |      |      | \$75,000                         |
|      |     |      |      |      |                                  |
|      |     |      |      |      | respite care contractor-NF =     |
|      |     |      |      |      | \$50,000                         |
|      |     |      |      |      |                                  |
|      |     |      |      |      | personal care/companion provider |
|      |     |      |      |      | = \$50,000                       |
|      |     |      |      |      |                                  |
|      |     |      |      |      | See detailed budget              |
|      |     |      |      |      | justification for each provider  |
|      |     |      |      |      | (and then provide it!)           |
+------+-----+------+------+------+----------------------------------+

+----+-----+------+------+------+-----------------------------------+
| At |     |      |      |      |                                   |
| ta |     |      |      |      |                                   |
| ch |     |      |      |      |                                   |
| me |     |      |      |      |                                   |
| nt |     |      |      |      |                                   |
| A: |     |      |      |      |                                   |
| Bu |     |      |      |      |                                   |
| dg |     |      |      |      |                                   |
| et |     |      |      |      |                                   |
| Ju |     |      |      |      |                                   |
| st |     |      |      |      |                                   |
| if |     |      |      |      |                                   |
| ic |     |      |      |      |                                   |
| at |     |      |      |      |                                   |
| io |     |      |      |      |                                   |
| n, |     |      |      |      |                                   |
| Pa |     |      |      |      |                                   |
| ge |     |      |      |      |                                   |
| 3  |     |      |      |      |                                   |
|  - |     |      |      |      |                                   |
| Sa |     |      |      |      |                                   |
| mp |     |      |      |      |                                   |
| le |     |      |      |      |                                   |
| Fo |     |      |      |      |                                   |
| rm |     |      |      |      |                                   |
| at |     |      |      |      |                                   |
| wi |     |      |      |      |                                   |
| th |     |      |      |      |                                   |
| EX |     |      |      |      |                                   |
| AM |     |      |      |      |                                   |
| PL |     |      |      |      |                                   |
| ES |     |      |      |      |                                   |
+----+-----+------+------+------+-----------------------------------+
| *  | \$  | \$8  | \$19 | \$37 | Local conference registration fee |
| *O | 10, | ,000 | ,800 | ,800 | (name conference) = \$ 200        |
| th | 000 |      |      |      |                                   |
| er |     |      |      |      | Printing brochures (50,000 @ \$   |
| ** |     |      |      |      | .05 ea) = \$ 2,500                |
|    |     |      |      |      |                                   |
|    |     |      |      |      | Video production = \$19,800       |
|    |     |      |      |      |                                   |
|    |     |      |      |      | Video Reproduction = \$ 3,500     |
|    |     |      |      |      |                                   |
|    |     |      |      |      | NF Respite Training Manual        |
|    |     |      |      |      | reproduction                      |
|    |     |      |      |      |                                   |
|    |     |      |      |      | \$3/manual x \$2000 manuals = \$  |
|    |     |      |      |      | 6,000                             |
|    |     |      |      |      |                                   |
|    |     |      |      |      | Postage \$150/mo x 12 months = \$ |
|    |     |      |      |      | 1,800                             |
|    |     |      |      |      |                                   |
|    |     |      |      |      | Caregiver Forum meeting room      |
|    |     |      |      |      | rentals                           |
|    |     |      |      |      |                                   |
|    |     |      |      |      | \$200/day x 12 forums = \$ 2,400  |
|    |     |      |      |      |                                   |
|    |     |      |      |      | Respite Training Scholarships =   |
|    |     |      |      |      | \$1,600                           |
+----+-----+------+------+------+-----------------------------------+
| ** | 0   | 0    | 0    | 0    | None                              |
| In |     |      |      |      |                                   |
| di |     |      |      |      |                                   |
| re |     |      |      |      |                                   |
| ct |     |      |      |      |                                   |
| C  |     |      |      |      |                                   |
| ha |     |      |      |      |                                   |
| rg |     |      |      |      |                                   |
| es |     |      |      |      |                                   |
| ** |     |      |      |      |                                   |
+----+-----+------+------+------+-----------------------------------+
| #  | \$2 | \$60 | \$27 | \    |                                   |
| ## | 65, | ,800 | ,767 | $354 |                                   |
| ## | 700 |      |      | ,267 |                                   |
|  T |     |      |      |      |                                   |
| OT |     |      |      |      |                                   |
| AL |     |      |      |      |                                   |
+----+-----+------+------+------+-----------------------------------+

+-----+------+------+------+------+-----------------------------------+
| >   | *    | **N  | **N  | # T  | ### Justification                 |
|  ** | *Fed | on-F | on-F | OTAL |                                   |
| Obj | eral | eder | eder |      |                                   |
| ect | Fun  | al** | al** |      |                                   |
| >   | ds** |      |      |      |                                   |
|  Cl |      | **Ca | **I  |      |                                   |
| ass |      | sh** | n-Ki |      |                                   |
| > C |      |      | nd** |      |                                   |
| ate |      |      |      |      |                                   |
| gor |      |      |      |      |                                   |
| y** |      |      |      |      |                                   |
+-----+------+------+------+------+-----------------------------------+
| *   |      |      |      |      |                                   |
| *Pe |      |      |      |      |                                   |
| rso |      |      |      |      |                                   |
| nne |      |      |      |      |                                   |
| l** |      |      |      |      |                                   |
+-----+------+------+------+------+-----------------------------------+
| **  |      |      |      |      |                                   |
| Fri |      |      |      |      |                                   |
| nge |      |      |      |      |                                   |
| B   |      |      |      |      |                                   |
| ene |      |      |      |      |                                   |
| fit |      |      |      |      |                                   |
| s** |      |      |      |      |                                   |
+-----+------+------+------+------+-----------------------------------+
| *   |      |      |      |      |                                   |
| *Tr |      |      |      |      |                                   |
| ave |      |      |      |      |                                   |
| l** |      |      |      |      |                                   |
+-----+------+------+------+------+-----------------------------------+
| *   |      |      |      |      |                                   |
| *Eq |      |      |      |      |                                   |
| uip |      |      |      |      |                                   |
| men |      |      |      |      |                                   |
| t** |      |      |      |      |                                   |
+-----+------+------+------+------+-----------------------------------+

Attachment B: Budget Justification -- Page 1 -- Sample Format

Attachment B: Budget Justification -- Page 2 -- Sample Format

+------+------+------+----+------+-----------------------------------+
| >    | *    | **N  | *  | # T  | ### Justification                 |
| **Ob | *Fed | on-F | *N | OTAL |                                   |
| ject | eral | eder | on |      |                                   |
| > C  | Fun  | al** | -F |      |                                   |
| lass | ds** |      | ed |      |                                   |
| > Ca |      | **Ca | er |      |                                   |
| tego |      | sh** | al |      |                                   |
| ry** |      |      | ** |      |                                   |
|      |      |      |    |      |                                   |
|      |      |      | *  |      |                                   |
|      |      |      | *I |      |                                   |
|      |      |      | n- |      |                                   |
|      |      |      | Ki |      |                                   |
|      |      |      | nd |      |                                   |
|      |      |      | ** |      |                                   |
+------+------+------+----+------+-----------------------------------+
| **Su |      |      |    |      |                                   |
| ppli |      |      |    |      |                                   |
| es** |      |      |    |      |                                   |
+------+------+------+----+------+-----------------------------------+
| **C  |      |      |    |      |                                   |
| ontr |      |      |    |      |                                   |
| actu |      |      |    |      |                                   |
| al** |      |      |    |      |                                   |
+------+------+------+----+------+-----------------------------------+
| *    |      |      |    |      |                                   |
| *Oth |      |      |    |      |                                   |
| er** |      |      |    |      |                                   |
+------+------+------+----+------+-----------------------------------+
| **   |      |      |    |      |                                   |
| Indi |      |      |    |      |                                   |
| rect |      |      |    |      |                                   |
| C    |      |      |    |      |                                   |
| harg |      |      |    |      |                                   |
| es** |      |      |    |      |                                   |
+------+------+------+----+------+-----------------------------------+
| #    |      |      |    |      |                                   |
| #### |      |      |    |      |                                   |
|  *TO |      |      |    |      |                                   |
| TAL* |      |      |    |      |                                   |
+------+------+------+----+------+-----------------------------------+

Attachment C: Project Work Plan, Page 1 -- Sample Format

  --------------- ------------------------------- ---------- ------------- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
  **Goal:**                                                                                              

  **Measurable                                                                                           
  Outcome(s):**                                                                                          

  **Major         **Key Tasks**                   **Lead     **Timeframe                                 
  Objectives**                                    Person**   (Start and                                  
                                                             End Date by                                 
                                                             Month)**                                    

  1\.                                                                                                    

                                                                                                         

                                                                                                         

                                                                                                         

  2\.                                                                                                    

                                                                                                         

                                                                                                         

                                                                                                         
  --------------- ------------------------------- ---------- ------------- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

Attachment C: Project Work Plan, Page 2 -- Sample Format

  -------------- ------------------------------- ---------- ------------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------- -------- --------
  **Major        **Key Tasks**                   **Lead     **Timeframe                                                                                     
  Objectives**                                   Person**   (Start and                                                                                      
                                                            End Date by                                                                                     
                                                            Month)**                                                                                        

                                                            **1**         **2**   **3**   **4**   **5**   **6**   **7**   **8**   **9**   **10**   **11**   **12**

  3\.                                                                                                                                                       

                                                                                                                                                            

                                                                                                                                                            

                                                                                                                                                            

  4\.                                                                                                                                                       

                                                                                                                                                            

                                                                                                                                                            

                                                                                                                                                            
  -------------- ------------------------------- ---------- ------------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------- -------- --------

Attachment C: Project Work Plan, Page 3 -- Sample Format

  -------------- ------------------------------- ---------- ------------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------- -------- --------
  **Major        **Key Tasks**                   **Lead     **Timeframe                                                                                     
  Objectives**                                   Person**   (Start and                                                                                      
                                                            End Date by                                                                                     
                                                            Month)**                                                                                        

                                                            **1**         **2**   **3**   **4**   **5**   **6**   **7**   **8**   **9**   **10**   **11**   **12**

  5\.                                                                                                                                                       

                                                                                                                                                            

                                                                                                                                                            

                                                                                                                                                            

  6\.                                                                                                                                                       

                                                                                                                                                            

                                                                                                                                                            

                                                                                                                                                            
  -------------- ------------------------------- ---------- ------------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------- -------- --------

NOTE: Please do note infer from this sample format that your work plan
must have 6 major objectives. If you need more pages, simply repeat this
format on additional pages.

####### Attachment D:

####### Grant Application Package Checklist

The checklist below identifies the items that must be included in your
mail-in application submission. Please check-off each item to ensure
your submission is complete, and includes a copy of the completed
checklist in your application package. The components of your submission
should be ordered in the same sequence as the items listed below.

I have checked my application package to ensure that it includes:

-   One original application plus two copies, with the SF 424 as the
    first page of each copy of the application.

-   SF 424.

-   SF 424A.

-   Budget Justification.

-   SF 424B.

-   SF CD-511. Be sure this form is completed according to the
    instructions, signed and dated by the authorized representative (see
    item 18d on SF 424).

-   Proof of non-profit status

-   A copy of the current indirect cost rate agreement approved by the
    Department of Health and Human Services or another federal agency.

-   Project Narrative, including Summary/Abstract

-   Completed Grant Application Package Checklist

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
-   Receipt of Application Acknowledgement Card (Optional)

-   "Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants" (non-profit
    applicants only)

**Attachment E**

Instructions for Completing the Project Summary/Abstract

1\. Does the applicant have 501(c)(3) status?

> ![](media/image2.wmf)

Yes No

2\. How many full-time equivalent employees does the applicant have?
*(Check only one box).*

> 3 or Fewer 15-50
>
> 4-5 51-100
>
> 6-14 over 100

3\. What is the size of the applicant's annual budget? *(Check only one
box.)*

Less Than \$150,000

\$150,000 - \$299,999

\$300,000 - \$499,999

\$500,000 - \$999,999

\$1,000,000 - \$4,999,999

\$5,000,000 or more

4\. Is the applicant a faith-based/religious organization?

Yes No

5\. Is the applicant a non-religious community-based organization?

Yes No

6\. Is the applicant an intermediary that will manage the grant on
behalf of other organizations?

> Yes No

7.  Has the applicant ever received a government grant or contract
    (Federal, State, or local )?

Yes No

8\. Is the applicant a local affiliate of a national organization?

Yes No

# Survey Instructions on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicant

# 

1\. 501(c)(3) status is a legal designation provided on application to
the Internal Revenue Service by eligible organizations. Some grant
programs may require nonprofit applicants to have 501(c)(3) status.
Other grant programs do not.

2\. For example, two part-time employees who each work half-time equal
one full-time equivalent employee. If the applicant is a local affiliate
of a national organization, the responses to survey questions 2 and 3
should reflect the staff and budget size of the local affiliate.

3\. Annual budget means the amount of money your organization spends
each year on all of its activities.

4\. Self-identify.

5\. An organization is considered a community-based organization if its
headquarters/ser-vice location shares the same zip code as the clients
you serve.

6\. An "intermediary" is an organization that enables a group of small
organizations to receive and manage government funds by administering
the grant on their behalf.

7.  Self-explanatory.

8.  Self-explanatory

**Paperwork Burden Statement**

According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are
required to respond to a collection of information unless such
collection displays a valid OMB control number. The valid

OMB control number for this information collection is **1890-0014**. The
time required to complete this information collection is estimated to
average five (5) minutes per response, including the time to review
instructions, search existing data resources, gather the data needed,
and complete and review the information collection. **If you have any
comments concerning the accuracy of the time estimate(s) or suggestions
for improving this form, please write to:** Paperwork Reduction Act
Clearance Officer, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,
Washington, D.C. 20201. **If you have comments or concerns regarding the
status of your individual submission of this form, write directly to:**
the Program Official at the Agency where the form was submitted.