66106 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 242 / Wednesday, December 17, 1997 / Notices

on respondents, including through the

use of automated collection techniques

for other forms of information

technology. Send comments to Wilma

Johnson, CDC Reports Clearance Officer,

1600 Clifton Road, MS–D24, Atlanta,

GA 30333. Written comments should be

received within 60 days of this notice.

Proposed Projects

1. Formative Research on Weapons

Carrying and Use Among Youth—

New—The Division of Violence plans to

conduct formative research on weapon

carrying behavior among young persons

and victims of interpersonal violent

injury. CDC has initiated an effort to

collect qualitative information from: 1.

Systems representatives (adults 18 and

older who work and interact with

youth) and 2. adolescents, (ages 11–18),

who are at high, medium and low risk

for weapon carrying and interpersonal

injury. The purpose of the proposed

data collection is to explore what factors

influence youths to possess or carry

weapons. The results of this study will

be useful to officials planning or

operating violence prevention

interventions in the study community

and other communities.

The study is to be conducted in two

phases: Phase 1 will involve the

collection of research data from one-onone, semi-structured interviews with 70

systems representatives. Systems

representatives are persons who have

contact with youth (which includes but

is not limited to): (1) Formal providers

or people who serve in an official

capacity, or interact with youth (e.g.

youth outreach workers, youth hostel

workers, community-based agency staff

members, law enforcement officers who

patrol gang areas); and (2) informal

providers: people who informally serve,

the target population of youth (e.g. mall

shop owners, school bus drivers, drug

dealers).

In Phase 2, qualitative survey research

will be conducted with key participant

informants (youth ages 11–18), to verify

data collected during Phase I, and to

collect ethnographic data regarding risk

and protective behaviors among youth.

Specifically, Phase 2 will involve the

collection of research data from one-onone, semi-structured interviews with

132 key participant informants. The

specific target area includes the East,

North, West Downtown and Wrigley

areas of the City of Long Beach and one

segment of Dominuez. Interviews will

be conducted in a setting or location

which is most comfortable and

convenient for the study subjects. There

is no cost to Respondents.

Respondents No. of respondents

No. of responses

Average

burden/response (in

hrs.)

Total burden (in

hrs.)

Systems Representatives ......................................................................................................... 70 1 1 70

Key Participant Informants ....................................................................................................... 132 1 1.5 198

Total ............................................................................................................................... .................. .................. .................. 268

Dated: December 11, 1997.

Wilma G. Johnson,

Acting Associate Director for Policy Planning

And Evaluation, Centers for Disease Control

and Prevention (CDC).

[FR Doc. 97–32868 Filed 12–16–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4163–18–P

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND

HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention

[Announcement Number 802]

Public Health Conference Support

Cooperative Agreement Program for

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

Prevention

Introduction

The Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention (CDC) announces the

availability of fiscal year (FY) 1998

funds for the Public Health Conference

Support Cooperative Agreement

Program for Human Immunodeficiency

Virus (HIV) Prevention. CDC is

committed to achieving the health

promotion and disease prevention

objectives of Healthy People 2000, a

national activity to reduce morbidity

and mortality and improve the quality

of life. This announcement is related to

the priority area of HIV Infection. (For

ordering a copy of Healthy People 2000

and CDC’s Strategic Plan for Preventing

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

Infection (July 8, 1992), see the section

WHERE TO OBTAIN ADDITIONAL

INFORMATION.)

Authority

This program is authorized under

Section 317(k)(2) [42 U.S.C. 247b(k)(2)]

of the Public Health Service Act, as

amended.

Smoke-Free Workplace

CDC strongly encourages all grant

recipients to provide a smoke-free

workplace and promote the non-use of

all tobacco products, and Public Law

103–227, the Pro-Children Act of 1994,

prohibits smoking in certain facilities

that receive Federal funds in which

education, library, day care, health care,

or early childhood development

services are provided to children.

Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants are non-profit

organizations including universities,

colleges, research institutions, hospitals,

other public and private (e.g., national,

regional) non-profit organizations and

federally recognized Indian tribal

governments, Indian tribes or Indian

tribal organizations. State and local

health departments may only apply for

funding under Category 2 (See

Application Section).

Note: Organizations authorized under

section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue

Code of 1986 are not eligible to receive

Federal grant/cooperative agreement funds.

Availability of Funds

Approximately $400,000 is available

in FY 1998 to fund approximately 15 to

25 awards. It is expected that the

average award will be $20,000 and will

be funded for a 12-month budget and

project period. Funding estimates may

vary and are subject to change.

Use of Funds

• CDC funds may be used for direct

cost expenditures: salaries, speaker fees,

rental of conference related equipment,

registration fees, and transportation cost

(not to exceed economy class fares) for

non-Federal employees.

• CDC funds may be used for only

those parts of the conference

specifically supported by CDC as

documented in the Notice of

Cooperative Agreement (award

document).

• CDC funds may not be used for the

purchase of equipment, payments of

honoraria, organizational dues,

entertainment or personal expenses,

cost of travel and payment of a Federal
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 242 / Wednesday, December 17, 1997 / Notices 66107

employee, or per diem or expenses,

other than mileage, for local

participants.

• CDC funds may not be used for

reimbursement of indirect costs.

• CDC funds may not be used to

purchase novelty items (e.g., bags, Tshirts, hats, pens) distributed at

meetings.

• CDC will not fund 100 percent of

the proposed conference. Part of the cost

of the proposed conference must be

supported with other than Federal

funds.

• CDC will not fund a conference

after it has taken place.

• CDC funds may be used for only

those parts of the conference

specifically supported by CDC as

documented on the notice of award.

Restrictions on Lobbying

Fiscal year 1997 appropriation

lobbying language remains in full effect

as follows: Applicants should be aware

of restrictions on the use of HHS funds

for lobbying under the requirements of

Section 1352 of Public Law 101–121,

effective December 23, 1989. This law

provides, in pertinent part, that

recipients (and their subtier contractors

and/or subgrantees) are prohibited from

using appropriated Federal funds (other

than profits from a Federal contract) for

lobbying Congress or any Federal

agency in connection with the award of

a particular contract, grant, cooperative

agreement or loan. This would include

grants/cooperative agreements that, in

whole or in part, involve conferences for

which Federal funds cannot be used

directly or indirectly encouraging

participants to lobby or instructing

participants on how to lobby.

Section 503 of the Departments of

Labor, Health and Human Services, and

Education, and Related Agencies

Appropriations Act (Public Law 104–

208), effective October 1, 1996,

establishes additional restrictions on the

use of Federal funds for lobbying.

Whereas previous anti-lobbying

prohibitions involved only activities for

or against passage of legislation pending

before the Congress, the FY 1997

appropriations language establishes an

additional prohibition against lobbying

for or against legislation pending before

State legislatures:

Section 503(a): No part of any

appropriation contained in the FY 1997

Appropriations Act shall be used, other

than for normal and recognized

executive-legislative relationships, for

publicity or propaganda purposes, for

the preparation, distribution, or use of

any kit, pamphlet, booklet, publication,

radio, television, or video presentation

designed to support or defeat legislation

pending before the Congress, * * *

except in presentation to the Congress

itself or any State legislature.

Section 503(b): No part of any

appropriation contained in the Act shall

be used to pay the salary or expenses of

any grant or contract recipient, or agent

acting for such recipient, related to any

activity designed to influence legislation

or appropriations pending before the

Congress or any State legislature.

Under Section 503, any activity

designed to influence action in regard to

a particular piece of pending legislation

would be considered ‘‘lobbying.’’ That

is, Section 503 prohibits lobbying for or

against pending legislation, as well as

indirect or ‘‘grass roots’’ lobbying efforts

by award recipients that are directed at

inducing members of the public to

contact their elected representatives at

the Federal or State levels to urge

support of, or opposition to, pending

legislative proposals. As a matter of

policy, CDC extends the prohibitions to

lobbying with respect to local legislation

and local legislative bodies.

The new provisions are not intended

to prohibit all interaction with the

legislative branch, or to prohibit

educational efforts pertaining to public

health. Clearly there are circumstances

when it is advisable and permissible to

provide information to the legislative

branch in order to foster

implementation of prevention strategies

to promote public health. However, it

would not be permissible to influence,

directly or indirectly, a specific piece of

pending legislation.

It remains permissible to use CDC

funds to engage in activity to enhance

prevention; collect and analyze data;

publish and disseminate results of

research and surveillance data;

implement prevention strategies;

conduct community outreach services;

provide leadership and training, and

foster safe and healthful environments.

Recipients of CDC grants and

cooperative agreements need to be

careful to prevent CDC funds from being

used to influence or promote pending

legislation. With respect to conferences,

public events, publications, and

‘‘grassroots’’ activities that relate to

specific legislation, recipients of CDC

funds should give close attention to

isolating and separating the appropriate

use of CDC funds from non-CDC funds.

CDC also cautions recipients of CDC

funds to be careful not to give the

appearance that CDC funds are being

used to carry out activities in a manner

that is prohibited under Federal law.

Background

The HIV epidemic constitutes a

significant threat to the public health of

the United States. The most recent

estimate of HIV prevalence indicates

that between 650,000 and 900,000

Americans are living with HIV.

Recently, there has been a marked

decrease in deaths among people with

AIDS. The decline in deaths is likely

due to both the slowing of the epidemic

and to improved treatments over the

past several years. However, women and

people of color are still

disproportionately affected by HIV.

Declines in deaths were greater among

whites (28 percent) than among blacks

(10 percent) and Hispanics (16 percent).

Among women, AIDS deaths declined

only 7 percent in the first three quarters

of 1996. HIV/AIDS remains a leading

cause of death.

Although the number of AIDS cases in

men who have sex with men has

declined, they continue to account for

the largest proportion of reported cases.

In 1996, women represented 20 percent

of adults and adolescents reported with

AIDS, greater than the proportion in any

previous year. Among women,

heterosexual contact and injecting drug

use accounted for 40 percent and 34

percent, respectively, of cases reported

in 1996. For the first time, blacks

represented 41 percent of adults and

adolescents reported with AIDS,

exceeding the proportion in the white

population.

A great number of public and private

health care providers have made

significant strides in developing

effective strategies for HIV information

dissemination and prevention.

However, mechanisms are needed to

disseminate information about the

newest developments in disease

prevention, health promotion

techniques, and their practical

applications nationwide.

CDC supports local, State, regional,

national, and international health efforts

to prevent unnecessary disease,

disability, and premature death and to

improve the quality of life. This support

often takes the form of education,

including the transfer of research

findings and public health strategies

and practices, through symposia,

seminars, and workshops. Through its

support of conferences and meetings

related to the areas of public health

research, education, and prevention

applications, CDC is a key participant in

the dissemination of essential

prevention information and in the

implementation of HIV prevention

programs.

National HIV Prevention Goal

Applications must be consistent with

the CDC national goal of assisting in

building and maintaining the necessary
66108 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 242 / Wednesday, December 17, 1997 / Notices

State, local, and community

infrastructure and technical capacity to

carry out necessary HIV and STD

prevention programs.

Purpose

The purpose of the HIV Prevention

Conference Support funding is to

provide PARTIAL support for specific

non-Federal conferences in the areas of

health promotion, disease prevention

information and education programs,

and applied research. Because

conference support by CDC creates the

appearance of CDC co-sponsorship,

there will be active participation by

CDC in the development and approval

of those portions of the agenda

supported by CDC funds. CDC funds

will not be expended for non-approved

portions of conference. In addition, CDC

will reserve the right to approve or

reject the content of the full agenda,

press events, promotional materials

(including press releases), speaker

selection, and site selection.

Contingency awards will be made

allowing usage of only 25 percent of the

total amount to be awarded until a final

full agenda is approved by CDC. This

will provide funds to support costs

associated with preparation of the

agenda. The remainder of funds will be

released only upon approval of the final

full agenda. CDC reserves the right to

terminate co-sponsorship at any time.

This program is not meant for

conferences to educate the general

public or to deliver prevention

interventions to persons at risk for HIV

infection.

• Any conference sponsored by CDC

shall be held in facilities that are fully

accessible to the public as required by

the Americans with Disabilities Act

Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG).

Accessibility under ADAAG addresses

accommodations for persons with

sensory impairments as well as persons

with physical disabilities or mobility

limitations. The Director, or his/her

designee, of the CIO(s) providing funds

or approving CDC sponsorship of a

conference must assure that the

proposed meeting facilities comply with

ADAAG.

• The conference organizer(s) may

use CDC’s name only in factual

publicity for the conference and should

understand that CDC involvement in the

conference does not necessarily indicate

support for the organizer’s general

policies, activities, or products.

Topics concerned with issues and

areas other than HIV prevention should

be directed to other public health

agencies or in accordance with the

current Federal Register Notice (see

Federal Register Notice 803, [61 FR

19296] published on April 29, 1997).

Program Requirements

Development of HIV prevention

conferences may require substantial

CDC collaboration and involvement. In

conducting activities to achieve the

purpose of this program, the recipient

will be responsible for the activities

listed under A. (Recipient Activities)

and CDC will be responsible for the

activities listed under B. (CDC

Activities).

A. Recipient Activities

1. Manage all activities related to

conference content (e.g., objectives,

topics, participants, session design,

workshops, special exhibits, speakers,

fees, agenda composition, printing).

Many of these items may be developed

in concert with assigned CDC project

personnel.

2. Provide draft copies of the agenda

and proposed ancillary activities to the

CDC Grants Management Office for

review and comment. Submit a copy of

the final agenda and proposed ancillary

activities to the CDC Grants

Management Office for acceptance.

3. Determine and manage all

promotional activities (e.g., title, logo,

announcements, mailers, press). CDC

must review and approve the use of any

materials with reference to CDC

involvement or support.

4. Manage all registration processes

with participants, invitees, and

registrants (e.g., travel, reservations,

correspondence, conference materials

and hand-outs, badges, registration

procedures).

5. Plan, negotiate, and manage

conference site arrangements, including

all audio-visual needs.

6. Develop and conduct education

and training programs on HIV

prevention.

7. If the proposed conference is or

includes a satellite broadcast:

a. Provide individual, on-camera

rehearsals for all presenters,

b. Provide at least one full dress

rehearsal involving the moderator, all

presenters, equipment, visuals, and

practice telephone calls at least one day

before the actual broadcast and as close

to the actual broadcast time as possible,

c. Provide full scripting and

Teleprompter use for the moderator and

all presenters,

d. Select a professional moderator.

8. Collaborate with CDC staff in

reporting and disseminating results and

relevant HIV prevention and education

and training information to appropriate

Federal, State, and local agencies,

health-care providers, HIV/AIDS

prevention and service organizations,

and the general public.

B. CDC Activities

1. Provide technical assistance

through telephone calls,

correspondence, and site visits in the

areas of program agenda development,

implementation, and priority setting

related to the cooperative agreement.

2. Provide scientific collaboration for

appropriate aspects of the program,

including selection of speakers,

pertinent scientific information on risk

factors for HIV infection, preventive

measures, and program strategies for the

prevention of HIV infection.

3. Review draft agendas and the

Grants Management Officer will issue

approval or disapproval of the final

agenda and proposed ancillary activities

prior to release of restricted funds.

4. Assist in the reporting and

dissemination of research results and

relevant HIV prevention education and

training information to appropriate

Federal, State, and local agencies,

health-care providers, the scientific

community, and HIV/AIDS prevention

and service organizations, and the

general public.

Technical Reporting Requirements

An original and two copies of final

performance and financial status reports

(reporting actual expenses) are required

no later than 90 days after the end of the

budget/project period. The performance

report should include: (1) The

cooperative agreement number; (2) title

of the conference; (3) name of the

principal investigator, program director

or coordinator; (4) name of the

organization that conducted the

conference; (5) a copy of the agenda; (6)

a list of individuals who participated in

the formally planned sessions of the

meeting; (7) a summarization of the

results of the meeting, including a

discussion of the accomplishments

related to stated conference objectives;

and (8) the Program Review Panel’s

report that all written materials have

been reviewed as required (see the

section Program Review Panel).

With the prior approval of CDC,

copies of proceedings or publications

resulting from the conference may be

substituted for the final performance

report, provided they contain the

information requested in items (1)

through (8) above.

Application Content

Organizations should submit separate

applications in any of the three

following categories:

Category 1: Regional, national, or

international conferences for
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 242 / Wednesday, December 17, 1997 / Notices 66109

individuals or organizations

implementing HIV prevention programs

or providing relevant services. The

focus will be on information exchange

including lessons learned and

successful programs;

Category 2: Local, statewide, or

regional conferences providing

information about technology transfer

regarding interventions for effective HIV

prevention for a defined population

within a specific locality, State, or

multi-state area (State and local health

departments may apply only under

Category 2); and

Category 3: Regional, national, or

international conferences for researchers

to impart theoretically based or

empirically demonstrated health

research with the intention to train

health and other professionals in

innovative, enhanced interventions, e.g.,

newly emerging science-based

interventions for health professionals.

A. Letter Of Intent (LOI)

Applicants must submit an original

and two copies of a two-page

typewritten LOI that briefly describes

the application category (1, 2, or 3), title,

location, proposed conference dates,

purpose, target population(s) (e.g.,

youth, women, Men Who Have Sex with

Men (MSM), Injecting Drug Users (IDU),

and the intended audience (number and

description)). The LOI must also include

the estimated total cost of the

conference, the percentage of the total

cost (which must be less than 100

percent) being requested from CDC, and

the relationship of the conference to

CDC Topics of Special Interest (listed

below).

Topics of Special Interest

1. Prevention of HIV infection among:

A. Under-served populations (e.g.,

women of reproductive age, racial and

ethnic minorities)

B. High-risk populations (e.g., men

who have sex with men, drug users, inschool and out-of-school youth, and

migrant workers)

C. Populations in special settings (e.g.,

correctional institutions)

D. Under-served geographic areas

Preferences may be given to

supporting organizations that serve

multiple high-risk populations.

2. Development of HIV prevention

strategies with a broad range of

community, regional, or national

partners.

Preferences are established to include

national priorities, to ensure a balance

of CDC HIV prevention funding, and to

address at-risk populations and

geographic areas that are under-served.

No preference will be given to

organizations that have received

funding in past years.

LOIs will be reviewed by CDC and an

invitation to submit an application will

be made based on:

1. Documented need for the proposed

conference,

2. Contribution to the prevention of

HIV/AIDS,

3. National HIV prevention priorities

based on emerging trends in the

epidemic,

4. The proposed conference’s

relationship to the CDC determined

topics of special interest,

5. Timing of the conference that will

allow for CDC input, and

6. Availability of funds.

Also include the name, mailing

address, telephone number, and if

available, fax number and e-mail

address of the organization’s primary

contact person. Current recipients of

CDC HIV funding must provide the

award number and title of the funded

programs. No attachments, booklets, or

other documents accompanying the LOI

will be considered. The two page

limitation (inclusive of letterhead and

signatures), must be observed or the

letter of intent will be returned without

review.

B. Final Application

Applicants invited to apply must

develop applications in accordance with

PHS Form 5161–1 (OMB Number 0937–

0189). Pages must be clearly numbered,

and a complete index to the application

and its appendices must be included.

The original and two required copies of

the application must be submitted

unstapled and unbound. All material

must be typewritten in unreduced type

on 81⁄2 by 11′′ paper, with at least 1′′

margins, and printed on one side only.

Materials which should be part of the

basic plan should not be in the

appendices. Use the evaluation criteria

described below to develop your

application. The body of the application

must be limited to 12 pages.

The following information must be

included:

1. A project summary cover sheet that

includes:

a. Application category (1, 2, or 3),

b. Name of organization,

c. Name of conference,

d. Location of conference,

e. Date (s) of conference,

f. Target population(s) (e.g., youth,

women, MSM, IDU),

g. Intended audience and number,

h. Dollar amount requested,

i. Total conference budget.

2. Biographical sketches and job

descriptions of the individuals

responsible for planning and

coordinating the conference.

3. A Budget Narrative separately

identifying and justifying line items to

which the requested Federal funds

would be applied.

4. A draft agenda for the proposed

conference.

5. Award number and title(s) of

funded program(s) for current recipients

of CDC HIV funding. Must not have

submitted the same proposal for review

for funding to other parts of CDC.

Evaluation Criteria

Applications will be reviewed and

evaluated according to the following

criteria (TOTAL 100 POINTS).

1. Category-specific criterion (20

points):

A. Category 1: Extent to which the

applicant provides evidence of an

opportunity for participants and

presenters to interact during the

conference.

B. Category 2: Extent to which the

applicant relates the specific connection

of the conference content to HIV

prevention community planning

priorities and provides a description of

need for the proposed conference.

C. Category 3: Extent to which the

applicant demonstrates the scientific

soundness of the technology to be

transferred as evidenced by inclusion in

HIV prevention research publications,

peer reviewed journals, or scientific

consensus panel review.

The following criteria apply to all

applications:

2. Proposed Program and Technical

Approach (30 points):

A. The extent to which the applicant’s

description of the proposed conference

relates to HIV prevention and education,

including the public health need of the

proposed conference and the degree to

which the conference can be expected to

influence public health practices, and

the extent of the applicant’s

collaboration with other agencies

serving the intended audience,

including local health and education

agencies concerned with HIV

prevention.

B. The applicant’s description of

conference objectives in terms of

quality, specificity, and the feasibility of

the conference based on the operational

plan, and the extent to which evaluation

mechanisms for the conference

adequately assess increased knowledge,

attitudes, and behaviors of the target

participants.

C. The relevance and effectiveness of

the proposed agenda in addressing the

chosen HIV prevention and education

topic.

D. The degree to which conference

activities proposed for CDC funding
66110 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 242 / Wednesday, December 17, 1997 / Notices

strictly adhere to the prevention of HIV

transmission.

3. Applicant Capability (25 points):

A. The adequacy and commitment of

institutional resources to administer the

program for the proposed conference.

B. The adequacy of existing and

proposed facilities and resources for

conducting conference activities.

C. The degree to which the applicant

has established and used critical

linkages with health and education

departments and community planning

groups with the mandate for HIV

prevention. Letters of support (limit of

5) from such agencies addressing related

capability and experience should be

included. They must explain how the

agency will work with the applicant to

plan the proposed conference. Letters

that do not pertain directly to the

proposed conference will not be

considered.

4. Qualifications of Program

Personnel (25 points):

A. The qualifications, experience, and

commitment of the principal staff

person, and his or her ability to devote

adequate time and effort to provide

effective leadership.

B. The competence of associate staff

persons, discussion leaders, and

speakers to accomplish conference

objectives.

C. The degree to which the

application demonstrates that all key

personnel have education and expertise

relative to the conference objectives, are

informed about the transmission of HIV,

and understand nationwide information

and education efforts currently

underway that may affect, and be

affected by, the proposed conference.

5. Budget Justification and Adequacy

of Facilities: (not scored) The proposed

budget will be evaluated on the basis of

its reasonableness, concise and clear

justification, consistency with the

intended use of cooperative agreement

funds, and the extent to which the

applicant documents financial support

from other sources.

Executive Order 12372 Review

This program is not subject to the

Executive Order 12372 review.

Public Health System Reporting

Requirements

This program is not subject to the

Public Health System Reporting

Requirements.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

The Catalog of Federal Domestic

Assistance number is 93.941.

Submission Requirements and

Deadlines

A. Letter of Intent (LOI)

1. One original and two copies of the

LOI must be postmarked by the

following deadline dates in order to be

considered. (Facsimiles are not

acceptable.) An invitation to submit an

application does not constitute a

commitment to fund.

2. Letter of Intent Due Dates: January

31, 1998.

B. Application

One original and two copies of the

invited application must be submitted

on PHS Form 5161–1 (OMB Number

0937–0189) and must be postmarked by

the date specified in the acceptance

letter in order to be considered in the

application cycles.

Applications may be accepted by CDC

only after the LOI has been reviewed by

CDC and written invitation from CDC

has been received by prospective

applicant. Availability of funds may

limit the number of Letters of Intent,

regardless of merit, that receive an

invitation to submit an application.

C. Addresses for Submission of Letter of

Intent and Invited Applications

One original and two copies of the

Letters of Intent and invited application

must be postmarked on or before the

deadline date and mailed to: Juanita

Dangerfield, Grants Management

Branch, Procurement and Grants Office,

Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention (CDC), 255 East Paces Ferry

Road, NE., Mailstop E–15, Atlanta, GA

30305.

D. Deadlines

Letters of Intent and Application shall

be considered as meeting the deadline if

they are either:

1. Received on or before the deadline

date, or

2. Postmarked on or before the

deadline date and received in time for

submission to the independent review

group. (Applicants must request a

legibly dated U.S. Postal Service

postmark or obtain a legibly dated

receipt from a commercial carrier or the

U.S. Postal Service. Private metered

postmarks will not be acceptable as

proof of timely mailing.)

E. Late Applications

Applications that do not meet the

criteria in D.1. or D.2. above are

considered late applications and will be

returned to the applicant without

review.

Other Requirements

Program Review Panel

Recipients must comply with the

document entitled Content of HIV/

AIDS-Related Written Materials,

Pictorials, Audiovisuals,

Questionnaires, Survey Instruments,

and Educational Sessions in Centers for

Disease Control Assistance Programs

(June 1992) (a copy is in the application

kit). To meet the requirements for a

Program Review Panel, recipients are

encouraged to use an existing Program

Review Panel such as the one created by

the State health department’s HIV/AIDS

prevention program. If the recipient

forms its own Program Review Panel, at

least one member must also be an

employee (or a designated

representative) of an appropriate health

or educational agency, consistent with

the Content Guidelines. The names of

review panel members must be listed on

the Assurance of Compliance form (CDC

Form 0.1113) which is also included in

the application kit.

Use of CDC Name

The conference organizer(s) may use

CDC’s name only in factual publicity for

the conference, and should understand

that CDC involvement in the conference

does not necessarily indicate support for

the organizer’s general policies,

activities, or products.

Where To Obtain Additional

Information

To receive additional written

information, call (404) 332–4561. You

will be asked to leave your name,

address, and phone number, and refer to

Announcement Number 802. You will

receive a complete program

announcement, a list of the relevant

‘‘Healthy People 2000’’ HIV objectives,

and the addresses and phone numbers

for CDC contact personnel. CDC will not

send application kits by facsimile or

express mail unless the cost for the

latter is paid by the addressee.

This and other CDC announcements

are also available through the CDC

homepage on the Internet. The address

for the CDC homepage is http://

www.cdc.gov.

If you have questions after reviewing

the contents of all the documents,

business management technical

assistance may be obtained from Ms.

Juanita Dangerfield, Grants Management

Specialist, Grants Management Branch,

Procurement and Grants Office, Centers

for Disease Control and Prevention

(CDC), 255 East Paces Ferry Road, NE.,

Mailstop E–15, Room 300, Atlanta, GA

30305, telephone (404) 842–6577.

Programmatic technical assistance may
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 242 / Wednesday, December 17, 1997 / Notices 66111

be obtained from Ms. Linda LaChanse,

Program Analyst, Training and

Technical Support Systems Branch,

Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention,

National Center for HIV/STD/TB

Prevention, Centers for Disease Control

and Prevention (CDC), 1600 Clifton

Road, NE., Mailstop E–40, Atlanta, GA

30333, telephone (404) 639–0964.

Please refer to Announcement

Number 802 when requesting

information, submitting your Letter of

Intent and submitting the invited

application in response to the

announcement.

Potential applicants may obtain a

copy of Healthy People 2000 (Full

Report, Stock No. 017–001–00474–0) or

Healthy People 2000 (Summary Report,

Stock No. 017–001–00473–1) through

the Superintendent of Documents,

Government Printing Office,

Washington, DC 20402–9325, telephone

(202) 512–1800. Single copies of CDC’s

Strategic Plan for Preventing Human

Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infection

(July 8, 1992) can be obtained by calling

the CDC National AIDS Clearinghouse at

(800) 458–5231.

Dated: December 11, 1997.

Joseph R. Carter,

Acting Associate Director for Management

and Operations, Centers for Disease Control

and Prevention (CDC).

[FR Doc. 97–32867 Filed 12–16–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4163–18–P

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND

HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and

Families

Head Start Program; Notice of Award

AGENCY: Administration on Children,

Youth and Families, Administration for

Children and Families, HHS.

ACTION: Notice of Sole Source Award to

Administer the Head Start Child

Development Credentialing Program.

SUMMARY: The Head Start Bureau

announces its intention to enter into a

noncompetitively awarded cooperative

agreement with The Council for Early

Childhood Professional Recognition to

administer the Child Development

Associate (CDA) Credentialing Program.

The CDA Program is a national project

to credential qualified caregivers who

work with children birth to age five in

a variety of public and private agency

settings, and in a variety of roles,

including as center-based caregivers of

infants and toddlers or preschool age

children, as home visitors, or as family

child care providers.

If there are organizations interested in

competing for this grant to administer

the Head Start Child Development

Credentialing Program, they are

requested to express their interest by

contacting either E. Dollie Wolverton or

Lynda Perez by January 16, 1998.

DATES: Effective on January 16, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: E.

Dollie Wolverton, Head Start Bureau,

ACYF, P.O. Box 1182, Washington, D.C.

20013, (202) 205–8418 (Not a toll free

call); or Lynda Perez, Grants Officer,

Head Start Bureau, ACYF, P.O. Box

1182, Washington, D.C. 20013, (202)

205–7359 (Not a toll free call).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

The project period for this cooperative

agreement will be four years. The award

is approximately $1,000,000 annually.

The authority for this credentialing

program is section 648(e) of the Head

Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9843).

The Head Start Program is committed

to staff development for all individuals

employed in local programs to increase

the understanding and skills necessary

to carry out their jobs, as well as

professional development leading to

credentials and degrees. In addition to

ongoing staff development, section

648A of the Head Start Act directs the

Secretary to ensure that each of the

55,000 Head Start classrooms for

preschool-age children has a qualified

teacher, with a minimum of a CDA

credential.

Those who are credentialed include

prekindergarten staff from the various

military sectors, child care, churchaffiliated preschools, Title I schoolbased programs, and Head Start. Also,

the revised Head Start Program

Performance Standards, which become

effective January 1, 1998, include new

standards for infant and toddler

programs and the requirement that

infant and toddler teachers also be

qualified by January 1, 1999, and

thereafter within one year of hire,

holding a CDA credential at a minimum.

Beginning in 1972, ACYF has

supported various organizations to

administer the CDA National

Credentialing Program. These

organizations included a Consortium of

several child development and early

childhood education associations and

the Bank Street College of Education.

The first decade of this credential award

program was unstable and problematic

due, in large measure, to the fact that

the grant was recompeted frequently,

leading to several changes in

administering organizations and

resulting breaks in services. The general

instability and under-use of the CDA

credential system caused concern to the

Department and the Congress. The

Department requested that the National

Association for the Education of Young

Children create a non-profit subsidiary

to become a free standing organization

that would permanently administer the

CDA credentialing program.

Accordingly, the Council for Early

Childhood Professional Recognition was

established to administer the national

CDA Credentialing Program through a

cooperative agreement. The intent of

maintaining a permanent home for the

national Child Development Associate

credentialing program was reinforced in

1992, when Section 7 of the 1992

Juvenile Justice Act, entitled, ‘‘Head

Start Training Improvement,’’ amended

the Head Start Act, requiring the

funding of an organization to administer

a centralized child development

credential and national assessment

program.

II. Reason for Sole Source Award

The Council for Early Childhood

Professional Recognition has effectively

restored public confidence in the CDA

Credential and increased the number of

credentials awarded. The number of

candidates credentialed each year has

steadily grown from about 2,000

credentialed candidates annually to

nearly 8,000 per year. As of June 1997,

nearly 83,000 teachers, home visitors

and family child care providers have

been credentialed. The Council has also

increased the recognition and credibility

of the CDA Credential among the States,

and now 47 States, the District of

Columbia and Puerto Rico recognize the

Child Development Associate credential

as the requirement for the licensing of

a child care center. This provides those

certified with the CDA credential with

the mobility to move from State-to-State

with State recognition of their credential

and qualifications.

The Council is efficiently and costeffectively administering the National

CDA Credentialing Program at a time

when the demand for the credential has

greatly increased. This allows the

Council to maintain the assessment and

credentialing fee to the candidate (the

majority are low-income) at $325.

Because of the mandate for qualified

teachers of infants and toddlers and

preschool age children, welfare reform,

and the President’s intended expansion

of the Head Start Program to serve one

million eligible children by the year

2002, the need for qualified,

credentialed staff is an urgent matter,

particularly given the annual turnover

rate of 17 percent among Head Start

staff. To address the expansion of the