[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 55 (Friday, March 21, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 13622]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-7116]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Notice of a Cooperative Agreement With the National Association 
for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education

    The Office of Minority Health (OMH), Office of Public Health and 
Science, announces that it will enter into an umbrella cooperative 
agreement with The National Association For Equal Opportunity in Higher 
Education (NAFEO). This cooperative agreement will establish the broad 
programmatic framework within which specific projects can be funded as 
they are identified during the project period.
    The purpose of this cooperative agreement is to assist the national 
association in expanding and enhancing its activities relevant to 
education, health promotion and disease prevention, and family and 
youth violence prevention with the ultimate goal of improving the 
health status of minorities and disadvantaged people. The OMH will 
provide consultation, including administrative and technical assistance 
as needed, for the execution and evaluation of all aspects of this 
cooperative agreement. The OMH will also participate and/or collaborate 
with the awardee in any workshops or symposia to exchange current 
information, opinions, and research findings.

Authorizing Legislation

    This cooperative agreement is authorized under Title XVII, Section 
1707(d)(1) of the Public Health Service Act, as amended by Public Law 
101-527.

Background

    Assistance will be provided only to NAFEO. No other applications 
are solicited. NAFEO is the only organization capable of administering 
this cooperative agreement because it has:
    1. A well developed infrastructure and communications network to 
coordinate and implement various health promotion and prevention 
educational programs within the Historically Black Colleges and 
Universities (HBCUs) communities and with local community organizations 
in close proximity to their campuses. It is the only organization of 
its kind that works exclusively with both public and private, two-aand 
four-year, and graduate and professional black colleges and 
universities. Since the presidents of the black colleges and 
universities represent their institutions in NAFEO, it has a direct 
linkage that would facilitate the coordination of activities that will 
benefit all of these institutions.
    NAFEO has extensive experience in convening general conferences and 
specific technical assistance workshops for black colleges and 
universities. This experience provides a foundation upon which to 
develop and promote health education related programs aimed at 
preventing and reducing unnecessary morbidity and mortality rates among 
African American populations.
    2. Established itself and its members as a national association 
with professionals who serve as leaders and experts in planning, 
developing, implementing, and promoting educational and policy 
campaigns (locally and nationally) aimed at reducing adverse health 
behaviors and improving the African American community's overall 
educational and social well being.
    3. Experience in implementing workshops to assist specific Federal 
agencies in involving HBCUs in an appropriate and effective manner in 
their programs, including:
    Work with Department of Defense (DOD) to increase participation of 
HBCUs in DOD funded activities as prime contractors or as 
subcontractors, or collaborators or partners with industry, major 
research universities, and small and disadvantaged businesses. This 
included the conduct of approximately 15 Defense Technical Assistance 
workshops to increase the participation of HBCUs and other minority 
institutions in the DOD procurement process.
    A series of 20 regional seminars involving the U.S. Agency for 
International Development (AID) officials and representatives of HBCUs 
to increase the involvement of HBCUs in U.S. AID development programs.
    Workshops for the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) 
on solving technical problems of development and maintenance of a 
superior Air Force weapons systems and a safeguard for defense.
    4. Developed a base of critical knowledge, skills, and abilities 
related to HBCU issues including health and social problems. Through 
the collective efforts of its members, community-based organizations, 
volunteers, NAFEO has demonstrated (1) the ability to work with 
academic institutions and health groups on mutual education, research, 
and health endeavors relating to the goal of health promotion and 
disease prevention of African Americans; (2) the leadership necessary 
to attract minority students into public service and health careers; 
and (3) the leadership needed to assist health care professionals to 
work more effectively with African American clients and communities.
    This cooperative agreement will be awarded in 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 Ms. Georgia Buggs, Office of Minority Health, 
5515 Security Lane, Suite 1000, Rockville, Maryland 20852 or telephone 
(301) 443-5084.
Clay E. Simpson, Jr.,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Minority Health.
[FR Doc. 97-7116 Filed 3-20-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-17-M