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[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 183 (Monday, September 22, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 49521]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-25017]

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Notice of a Cooperative Agreement With the National Minority AIDS 
Council

    The Health Resources and Services Administration's (HRSA) HIV/AIDS 
Bureau announces that it will enter into an umbrella cooperative 
agreement with the National Minority AIDS Council (NMAC). This 
cooperative agreement will establish the broad programmatic framework 
in which specific projects can be funded.
    The purpose of this cooperative agreement is to assist NMAC in 
expanding and enhancing its HIV training and technical assistance to 
Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency (CARE) Act providers 
servicing racial and ethnic minority populations, with the ultimate 
goal of improving the health status of minorities and disadvantaged 
people. HRSA will provide consultation, including administrative and 
technical assistance as needed, for the execution and evaluation of all 
aspects of this cooperative agreement. Activities will include but not 
be limited to developing materials, guides, and conferences for HRSA's 
Ryan White programs. HRSA will also participate and/or collaborate with 
the NMAC in any workshops or symposia to exchange current information, 
opinions, and research findings during this agreement.

Authorizing Legislation

    This cooperative agreement is authorized under Section 2692 of the 
PHS Act.

Background

    Assistance will be provided to the National Minority AIDS Council. 
No other applications are solicited. NMAC is the only organization 
capable of administering this cooperative agreement because it has:
    1. Developed, expanded, and managed an infrastructure to coordinate 
and implement various programs within local communities and 
organizations that deal extensively with HIV in each of the ethnic 
minority populations served by the Ryan White CARE Act programs of 
HRSA. The Council established national initiatives--e.g., conferences, 
public policy education program (including policy forums), technical 
assistance programs and publications (including newsletters, action 
alerts and training manuals) that provide a foundation upon which to 
develop, promote, and manage HIV-related health programs aimed at 
preventing and reducing unnecessary morbidity and mortality rates among 
racial and ethnic minority populations.
    2. Established itself and its members as a national association of 
professionals who serve as leaders and experts in planning, developing, 
implementing, promoting and evaluating HIV-related education and policy 
campaigns, both nationally and locally, aimed at reducing the impact of 
HIV in minority populations and improving the minority community's 
overall well being.
    3. Developed a base of critical knowledge, skills, and abilities 
related to serving minority individuals and organizations with a range 
of HIV-related health and social problems. Through the collective 
efforts of its members, community-based organizations, and volunteers, 
NMAC has demonstrated (1) the ability to work with minority and non-
minority organizations, the Federal Government, academic institutions, 
and health groups on mutually beneficial education, research, and 
health endeavors relating to the goal of health promotion and disease 
prevention among racial and ethnic minority populations; (2) the 
national leadership necessary to focus the nation's attention on 
minority-related HIV issues; and (3) the leadership needed to assist 
Ryan White health care professionals to work more effectively with 
racial/ethnic minority communities.
    4. Developed a national network of individuals, community-based 
organizations, and state, regional, and national health and civil 
rights organizations committed to addressing the HIV service, 
treatment, and research needs of individuals effected and infected by 
HIV and AIDS.
    Approximately $200,000 is available in fiscal year (FY) 1997 for a 
12-month budget period within a project period of 3 years. Continuation 
awards within the project period will be made on the basis of 
satisfactory progress and the availability of funds.

Where To Obtain Additional Information

    If you are interested in obtaining additional information regarding 
this project, contact Joan Holloway, HIV/AIDS Bureau, HRSA, 5600 
Fishers Lane, Room 7-13, Rockville, Maryland 20857 or telephone (301) 
443-9530.

    Dated: September 15, 1997.
Claude E. Fox,
Acting Administrator.
[FR Doc. 97-25017 Filed 9-19-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-15-P
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