[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 92 (Friday, May 12, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25725-25727]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-11764]



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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
[Announcement 549]


Program for Playground Safety

Introduction

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), announces the 
availability of fiscal year (FY) 1995 funds for a cooperative agreement 
for the establishment of a Program for Playground Safety.
    The Public Health Service (PHS) is committed to achieving the 
health promotion and disease prevention objectives of ``Healthy People 
2000,'' a PHS-led national activity to reduce morbidity and mortality 
and improve the quality of life. This announcement is related to the 
priority area of Unintentional Injuries. (For ordering a copy of 
``Healthy People 2000,'' see the section Where To Obtain Additional 
Information.)

Authority

    This program announcement is authorized under Sections 301, 317, 
and 391-394 (42 U.S.C. 241, 247b, and 280b-280b-3) of the Public Health 
Service Act as amended.

Smoke-Free Workplace

    PHS strongly encourages all grant recipients to provide a smoke-
free workplace and to promote the nonuse 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, and early childhood development 
services are provided to children.

Eligible Applicants

    Applications may be submitted by public and private, nonprofit and 
for-profit organizations and governments and their agencies. Thus, 
universities, colleges, research institutions, hospitals, other public 
and private organizations, State and local health departments or their 
bona fide agents or instrumentalities, federally recognized Indian 
tribal governments, Indian tribes or Indian tribal organizations, and 
small, minority- and/or women-owned businesses are eligible to apply.

Availability of Funds

    Approximately $550,000 is available in FY 1995 to fund one award. 
It is expected that the award will begin on or about September 30, 
1995, and will be made for a 12-month budget period within a project 
period of up to three years. Funding estimates may vary and are subject 
to change.
    A continuation award within the project period will be made on the 
basis of satisfactory progress and the availability of funds.

Purpose

    The purpose of this cooperative agreement is to establish a Program 
for Playground Safety to assume a lead capacity for prevention and 
control of playground injuries to children and the promotion of safer 
playgrounds.

Program Requirements

    In conducting activities to achieve the purpose of this program, 
the recipient will be responsible for the activities under A. 
(Recipient Activities), and CDC will be responsible for the activities 
listed under B. (CDC Activities).

A. Recipient Activities

    1. Develop a national agenda and plan for the prevention of 
playground injuries. Steps involved in producing this plan shall 
include:
    a. Prepare a state of the art review of playground injuries and 
known and effective strategies for their prevention. Production of this 
review should involve key researchers and leaders in the field of 
playground injury prevention, and include relevant disciplines such as 
behavioral science, child development, engineering, leisure studies, 
environmental sciences, and public health;
    b. Convene one or more meetings of relevant parties, experts and 
organizations to discuss the review, assess the current issues, set and 
prioritize goals, and consider methods to achieve those goals;
    c. Produce a draft national plan and circulate it for comment among 
relevant parties and;
    d. Finalize, publish and disseminate the plan.
    Expected collaborators in the development, review, and endorsement 
of the plan include researchers, injury control specialists (e.g., CDC-
funded Injury Control Research Center staff), playground operators 
(e.g., Department of Parks and Recreation staff, Department of 
Education staff, day care center operators), manufacturers of 
playground equipment and surfaces, playground regulators, and 
playground users. The plan should identify surveillance, research, 
evaluation, training, and programmatic needs and activities to reduce 
playground injuries. In particular, the plan should include a research 
agenda that defines the priority research questions to be answered and 
the methods to answer them, including the variables to be measured, the 
methods for measuring those variables, the type of study design and 
necessary size of the study, and the costs of such a study. (It is not 
anticipated that the recipient will undertake all of the planned 
research.) Data needs for all elements (e.g., surveillance, training) 
should be identified. The plan should contain recommendations targeted 
at playground operators, manufacturers, regulators, users, and other 
relevant parties. The plan should include estimates of the necessary 
resources for each aspect of the plan, as well as a timetable. The plan 
should be completed within one year of funding to help guide future 
activities.
    Activities 2-5 below may be completed at any time during the three-
year project period.
    2. Establish a clearinghouse for materials on the prevention of 
playground injuries and safe playgrounds. This activity includes 
identifying, collecting, and classifying existing materials on 
playground design and safety and playground injury prevention. The 
activity also includes identifying and cataloging nationwide activities 
and intervention projects related to playground injury prevention and 
safety. These materials should be made easily available to others. The 
applicant should provide the public, schools, municipalities and others 
with a forum, including research findings, for [[Page 25726]] answering 
questions about playground injury prevention. A toll-free hotline 
should be set up and advertised; electronic access to materials should 
be provided; and the presence of the clearinghouse should be 
advertised.
    3. Disseminate information regarding playground safety and the 
prevention of injuries on the playground. The dissemination should be 
active and regular and national in scope. It should help translate 
scientific information into easily understandable terms. The 
dissemination should reach both the public and those responsible for 
playground design, purchase, construction, maintenance, oversight, and 
use. The dissemination should include both the media (e.g., newspapers, 
magazines) and relevant technical forums (e.g., journals, meetings).
    4. Develop a training curriculum for playground safety inspections 
and teachers in schools and day care centers. Prepare, produce, and 
disseminate such materials widely, including an evaluation of the 
effectiveness of the training. Evaluate the effectiveness of the 
inspection process in reducing hazards on the playground. Define the 
necessary competencies of those persons conducting playground 
inspections and produce a test of those competencies.
    5. Conduct research on the performance of playground surfaces. The 
applicant should assemble all available surfaces (e.g., loose-fill 
materials, grass, and proprietary materials) and conduct shock 
absorbing tests of these materials according to the American Society 
for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Number 1292 procedure. (For ordering a 
copy of ASTM Number 1292, see the section Where To Obtain Additional 
Information.) To help guide the choice of materials for protecting from 
indoor falls from playground equipment, the surfaces to be tested 
should include samples of play mats, wrestling mats and other mat 
materials that may possess impact attenuating properties. Drop heights 
should be increased in 1-foot increments and the attendant peak G and 
HIC results reported. Heights should be increased until peak G exceeds 
200 or HIC exceeds 1000. For loose fill materials, depths should be 
varied at four, six, nine, and twelve inches. The effect of the 18'' 
x  18'' containment box should be ascertained by varying the box size. 
The results of these tests should be widely disseminated.
    6. Provide a full-time director/coordinator and staff who have 
authority, responsibility, and expertise to carry out the undertaking.

B. CDC Activities

    1. Provide consultation in the development of a national agenda and 
plan for the prevention of playground injuries. This includes a review 
of the draft national plan prior to circulation among relevant parties.
    2. Provide assistance on the types of materials to be identified, 
collected, and classified prior to inclusion in the clearinghouse 
inventory.
    3. Collaborate in the development of a strategic plan for 
dissemination of information regarding playground safety and prevention 
of injuries on the playground.
    4. Provide advice and assistance in the development of a training 
curriculum for playground safety inspections and teachers in schools 
and day care centers.

Evaluation Criteria

    Applications will be reviewed and evaluated according to the 
following criteria:

1. Background and Need (15%)

    The extent to which the applicant presents justification for each 
projected activity in terms of magnitude of the problem, experience in 
this area, and how the likely results of the activity will impact the 
problem.

2. Goals and Objectives (15%)

    The extent to which the goal(s) and objectives are relevant to the 
purpose of the proposal, feasible for accomplishment during the project 
period, measurable, and specific in terms of what is to be done and the 
time involved. The extent to which the objectives address all 
activities necessary to accomplish the purpose of the proposal.

3. Methods (40%)

    The extent to which the applicant provides a detailed description 
of all proposed activities which are likely to achieve each objective 
and overall program goal(s) and which includes designation of 
responsibility for each action undertaken. The extent to which the 
applicant provides a reasonable and complete schedule for implementing 
all activities. The extent to which position descriptions, lines of 
command, and collaborations are appropriate to accomplishment of 
program goal(s) and objectives.

4. Evaluation (10%)

    The extent to which the proposed evaluation plan is detailed and 
will document program process and outcome. The extent to which the 
applicant demonstrates staff and/or collaborator availability, 
expertise, and capacity to perform the evaluation.

5. Facilities, Staff, and Resources (20%)

    The extent to which the applicant can provide adequate facilities, 
staff and/or collaborators, and resources to accomplish the proposed 
goal(s) and objectives during the project period. The extent to which 
the applicant demonstrates staff and/or collaborator availability, 
expertise, previous experience, and capacity to perform the undertaking 
successfully.

6. Budget and Justification (Not Scored)

    The extent to which the applicant provides a detailed budget and 
narrative justification consistent with the stated objectives and 
planned program activities.

7. Human Subjects (Not Scored)

    The applicant must clearly state whether or not human subjects will 
be used in research.

Executive Order 12372

    Applications are subject to Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs as governed by Executive Order (E.O.) 12372. E.O. 12372 sets 
up a system for State and local government review of proposed Federal 
assistance applications. Applicants (other than federally recognized 
Indian tribal governments) should contact their State Single Point of 
Contact (SPOC) as early as possible to alert them to the prospective 
applications and receive any necessary instructions on the State 
process. For proposed projects serving more than one State, the 
applicant is advised to contact the SPOC of each affected State. A 
current list of SPOCs is included in the application kit. If SPOCs have 
any State process recommendations on applications submitted to CDC, 
they should forward them to Henry S. Cassell, III, Grants Management 
Officer, Grants Management Branch, Procurement and Grants Office, 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 255 East Paces Ferry 
Road, NE., Room 300, Mailstop E13, Atlanta, GA 30305, no later than 60 
days after the application deadline. The granting agency does not 
guarantee to ``accommodate or explain'' for State process 
recommendations it receives after that date.
    Indian tribes are strongly encouraged to request tribal government 
review of the proposed application. If tribal governments have any 
tribal process recommendations on applications [[Page 25727]] submitted 
to CDC, they should forward them to Henry S. Cassell, III, Grants 
Management Officer, Grants Management Branch, Procurement and Grants 
Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 255 East 
Paces Ferry Road, NE., Room 300, Mailstop E13, Atlanta, GA 30305, no 
later than 60 days after the application deadline. The granting agency 
does not guarantee to ``accommodate or explain'' for State process 
recommendations it receives after that date.

Public Health System Reporting Requirements

    This program is not subject to the Public Health System Reporting 
Requirements.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number

    The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number is 94.136.

Other Requirements

Paperwork Reduction Act

    Projects that involve the collection of information from 10 or more 
individuals and funded by the cooperative agreement will be subject to 
review by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the Paperwork 
Reduction Act.

Human Subjects

    If the proposed project involves research on human subjects, the 
applicant must comply with the Department of Health and Human Services 
Regulations, 45 CFR part 46, regarding the protection of human 
subjects. Assurance must be provided to demonstrate that the project 
will be subject to initial and continuing review by the appropriate 
institutional review committees. In addition to other applicable 
committees, Indian Health Service (IHS) institutional review committees 
also must review the project if any component of IHS will be involved 
or will support the research. If any American Indian community is 
involved, its tribal government must also approve that portion of the 
project applicable to it. The applicant will be responsible for 
providing assurance in accordance with the appropriate guidelines and 
form provided in the application kit.

Application Submission and Deadline

    The original and two copies of the application PHS Form 5161-1 (OMB 
Number 0937-0189) must be submitted to Henry S. Cassell, III, Grants 
Management Officer, Grants Management Branch, Procurement and Grants 
Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 255 East 
Paces Ferry Road, NE., Room 300, Mailstop E13, Atlanta, GA 30305, on or 
before July 14, 1995.
    1. Deadline: Applications shall be considered as meeting the 
deadline if they are either:
    a. Received on or before the deadline date; or
    b. Sent on or before the deadline date and received in time for 
submission to the independent review committee. For proof of timely 
mailing, applicant 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.
    2. Late Applications: Applications that do not meet the criteria in 
1.a. or 1.b. above are considered late. Late applications will not be 
considered in the current competition and will be returned to the 
applicant.

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 will 
need to refer to Announcement 549. You will receive a complete program 
description, information on application procedures, and application 
forms.
    If you have questions after reviewing the contents of all the 
documents, business management technical assistance may be obtained 
from Adrienne Brown, Grants Management Specialist, Grants Management 
Branch, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention (CDC), 255 East Paces Ferry Road, NE., Mailstop E13, 
Atlanta, GA 30305, telephone (404) 842-6634. Programmatic assistance 
may be obtained from Tim W. Groza, M.P.A., National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 
(CDC), 4770 Buford Highway, NE., Mailstop K63, Atlanta, GA 30341-3724, 
telephone (404) 488-4652.
    Please refer to Announcement 549 when requesting information and 
submitting an application.
    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) referenced in the 
``Introduction'' through the Superintendent of Documents, Government 
Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402-9325, telephone (202) 512-1800.
    A copy of American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Number 
1292 may be obtained from ASTM, Customer Services, 1916 Race Street, 
Philadelphia, PA 19103-1187, telephone (215) 299-5585.

    Dated: May 8, 1995.
 Joseph R. Carter,
Acting Associate Director for Management and Operations, Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
[FR Doc. 95-11764 Filed 5-11-95; 8:45 am]
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