FEDERAL AGENCY:

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

AUTHORIZATION:

Public Health Service Act, Title XVII, Section 1707(e)(1), 42 U.S.C. 300u et seq.

To improve and expand the capacity for linguistic and cultural competence of health care professionals and paraprofessionals working with Limited-English-Proficient (LEP) minority communities and improve the accessibility and utilization of health care services among the LEP minority populations.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:

Project Grants. Place Cursor Here for Definition

USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:

Funds are to be used to support projects that provide bilingual/bicultural assistance in the delivery of health services for minority populations. Funds are not to be used for the provision of health care services, construction, augmentation of ongoing Office of Minority Health (OMH)-supported demonstrations, or supplantation of on-going project activities.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:   Public and private nonprofit minority community-based organizations or health care facilities serving a targeted LEP minority community may apply.

Beneficiary Eligibility:   Members of the minority groups whose native language is other than English: American Indians or Alaska Natives, Asians, Blacks or African Americans, Hispanics or Latinos, Native Hawaiians or other Pacific Islanders, or a subgroup of any of these groups.

Credentials/Documentation:   Proof of nonprofit status is required as part of the application submission.

Pre-application Coordination:   This program does not require preapplication coordination. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office of official designated as the single point of contact in the State for more information on the process the State requires to be filed with applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review. This program is also covered by the Public Health System reporting requirements.

Application Procedure:   Requests for the standard PHS application form (SF PHS 1561-1, Revised July 2000) and instructions for submission should be directed to Ms. Karen Campbell, Grants Management Officer, Office of Minority Health, Office of Public Health and Science, Office of the Secretary, Rockwall II Building, 5515 Security Lane, Suite 1000, Rockville, Maryland 20852. Telephone: (301) 594-0758. A signed original and two copies of the application are to be sent to the above address. Applications are screened upon receipt for completeness, responsiveness and conformance to the program announcement. Those applications judged to be unacceptable based on this initial screening will be returned.

Award Procedure:   Accepted applications will be reviewed by a review panel that will make recommendations on the technical merit based on the published criteria. After considering the recommendations of the panel, the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Minority Health, will make a final decision on funding projects and a notice of grant award will be issued.

Deadlines:   Contact Headquarters Office listed below for application deadlines.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:   From 90 to 120 days.

Appeals:   None.

Renewals:   None.

ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:   This program has no statutory formula or matching requirements.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:   Grant projects can have a 3-year project period, with 12-month budget periods. Following the initial budget period, continued funding is subject to the availability of funds and satisfactory program performance. Payments will be made either on a monthly cash basis or under a letter of credit. Necessary instructions regarding procedures will be provided at the time the Notice of Grant Award is issued.

POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:   Progress reports are required for each budget period, and a final performance report is due 90 days following the end of the project period. Financial status reports are due at the end of each budget period, and a final status report is due 90 days following the end of the project period.

Audits:   In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $300,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $300,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133. In addition, grants and cooperative agreements are subject to inspection and audits by DHHS and other Federal government officials.

Records:   Financial records, supporting documents, statistical records, and all other records pertinent to a grant shall be retained for a minimum of 3 years, or longer pending completion and resolution of any audit findings.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

Account Identification:   75-0120-0-1-551.

Obligations:   (Grants) FY 01 $2,846,615; FY 02 est $2,896,615; and FY 03 est $2,825,233.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:  
$80,000 to $150,000; Average: $142,331.

In fiscal year 2001, 11 continuation awards and 9 new awards were made. It is estimated that 20 continuation awards will be made in fiscal year 2002. In fiscal year FY 03 it is estimated that 9 continuation awards and 10 new awards will be made.

REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:

45 CFR 74 and 92. Specific program requirements are contained in the Federal Register Notice, the application instructions, and the PHS Grants Policy Statement.

INFORMATION CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office:   Not applicable.

Headquarters Office:   Program Contact: Ms. Cynthia H. Amis, Director, Division of Program Operations, Office of Minority Health, Office of Public Health and Science, Office of the Secretary, Rockwall II Building, 5515 Security Lane, Suite 1000, Rockville Maryland 20852. Telephone: (301) 594-0769. Grants Management Contact: Ms. Karen Campbell, Grants Management Officer, Office of Minority Health, Office of Public Health and Science, Office of the Secretary, Rockwall II, 5515 Security Lane, Suite 1000, Rockville, MD 20852. Telephone: (301) 594-0758.

Web Site Address:   http://www.omhrc.gov

EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:

1) Reducing linguistic and cultural barriers which exist between Hispanic patients and health care providers through language and cultural training sessions; 2) developing and implementing a case management and education program that targets specific groups of limited-English-speaking Asians and Pacific Islanders; 3) assessing the health status of Chinese, Vietnamese, Cambodian, and Laotian seniors; providing lectures on Asian health care needs and specific health resources, and providing bilingual and bicultural translators and interpreters; and increasing knowledge and awareness about managed care and its implications.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:

Complete review criteria are published in the Federal Register Notice or can be obtained from the Program contact. Listed below are some criteria used to review applications: 1) consistency of project's goals and objectives with the Office of Minority Health's mission; 2) coherence and feasibility of methodology and activities selected to address the problem as evidence in the proposed implementation plan; 3) strength of proposed grant organization's management capability; 4) adequacy of qualifications, experience and cultural competence of proposed personnel; and 5) strength of analysis of potential impact or innovation the project proposes to generate.