No Subject

[Eddie G. Gouge]

Assistant Director, Federal Relations - Food and
Agricultural Sciences
DATE:	May 27, 1999
SUBJECT:	Prevention of School Violence Grants

The U. S. Departments of Health and Human Services, Education, and Justice 
announced the availability of funds for a cooperative agreement  for a 
coordinating center for the development of community partnerships and the 
provision of technical assistance to prevent school violence and enhance 
resilience.  The announcement appeared in the Federal Register (64 FR 
27590, May 20, 1999).
The multi-agency announcement follows this memorandum.
The deadline for submitting applications is JULY 13, 1999.
Please do not hesitate to contact me whenever I can be of any assistance.

Federal Register: May 20, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 97)
[Notices]
[Page 27590-27592]
>From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access
[[Page 27590]]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention

Fiscal Year 1999 Funding Opportunity
AGENCIES: Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and 
Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Mental Health Services, 
Department of Education, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, 
Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency 
Prevention.
ACTION: Notice of availability of funds for a cooperative agreement for a 
coordinating center for the development of community partnerships and the 
provision of technical assistance to prevent school violence and enhance 
resilience.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse 
and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Center for Mental Health 
Services (CMHS), and the Departments of Education and Justice (Agencies) 
announce the availability of FY 1999 funds for one cooperative agreement 
for the following activity. This activity is discussed in more detail under 
section 4 of this notice. This notice is not a complete description of the 
activity; potential applicants must obtain a copy of the Guidance for 
Applicants (GFA) before preparing an application.
Note: SAMHSA also published notices of available funding
opportunities for FY 1999 in previous issues of the Federal Register.

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------------------------------------

Estimated
            Activity                Application      Estimated funds
number of         Project period
                                     deadline           available
awards
------------------------------------------------------------------------  
----
------------------------------------
Violence Prevention Coordination        07/13/99  $2.8 Million........
1	Up to 3 yrs.
------------------------------------------------------------------------  
----
------------------------------------

The actual amount available for awards and their allocation may
vary, depending on unanticipated program requirements and the number and 
quality of applications received. FY 1999 funds for the activity discussed 
in this announcement were appropriated by the Congress under Public Law No. 
105-277. SAMHSA's policies and procedures for peer review and Advisory 
Council review of grant and cooperative agreement applications were 
published in the Federal Register (Vol. 58, No. 126, page 35962) on July 2, 
1993.
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 for setting priority areas. The SAMHSA Centers' 
substance abuse and mental health services activities address issues 
related to Healthy People 2000 objectives of Mental Health and Mental 
Disorders; Alcohol and Other Drugs; Clinical Preventive Services; HIV 
Infection; and Surveillance and Data Systems.  Potential applicants may 
obtain a copy of Healthy People 2000 (Full Report: Stock No. 
017-001-00474-0) or Summary Report: Stock No. 017-001-00473-1) through the 
Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 
20402-9325 (Telephone: 202-512-1800).
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS: Applicants must use application form PHS 5161-1 (Rev. 
5/96; OMB No. 0937-0189). The application kit contains the GFA (complete 
programmatic guidance and instructions for preparing and submitting 
applications), the PHS 5161-1 which includes Standard Form 424 (Face Page), 
and other documentation and forms. Application kits may be obtained from 
the organization specified for the activity covered by this notice (see 
section 4).
When requesting an application kit, the applicant must specify the
particular activity for which detailed information is desired. This is to 
ensure receipt of all necessary forms and information, including any 
specific program review and award criteria.
The PHS 5161-1 application form and the full text of the activity
(i.e., the GFA) described in section 4 are available electronically via 
SAMHSA's World Wide Web Home Page (address: http://www.samhsa.gov).
APPLICATION SUBMISSION: Applications must be submitted to: SAMHSA
Programs, Center for Scientific Review, National Institutes of Health,
Suite 1040, 6701 Rockledge Drive MSC-7710, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-
7710.*
(* Applicants who wish to use express mail or courier service should change 
the zip code to 20817.)
APPLICATION DEADLINES: The deadline for receipt of applications is listed 
in the table above.
Competing applications must be received by the indicated receipt
date to be accepted for review. An application received after the deadline 
may only be accepted if it carries a legible proof-of-mailing date assigned 
by the carrier and that date is not later than one week prior to the 
deadline date. Private metered postmarks are not acceptable as proof of 
timely mailing.
Applications received after the deadline date and those sent to an
address other than the address specified above will be returned to the 
applicant without review.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for activity-specific technical 
information should be directed to the program contact person identified for 
the activity covered by this notice (see section 4).
Requests for information concerning business management issues
should be directed to the grants management contact person identified for 
the activity covered by this notice (see section 4).
1.	Program Background and Objectives

SAMHSA's mission within the Nation's health system is to improve
the quality and availability of prevention, early intervention, treatment, 
and rehabilitation services for substance abuse and mental illnesses, 
including co-occurring disorders, in order to improve health and reduce 
illness, death, disability, and cost to society.
Reinventing government, with its emphases on redefining the role of
Federal agencies and on improving customer service, has provided SAMHSA 
with a welcome opportunity to examine carefully its programs and 
activities. As a result of that process, SAMHSA moved assertively to create 
a renewed and strategic emphasis on using its resources to generate 
knowledge about ways to improve the prevention and treatment of substance 
abuse and mental illness and to work with State and local governments as 
well as providers, families, and consumers to effectively use that 
knowledge in everyday practice.
SAMHSA's FY 1999 Knowledge Development and Application (KD&A)
agenda is the outcome of a process whereby providers, services
researchers, consumers, National Advisory Council
[[Page 27591]]
members and other interested persons participated in special meetings or 
responded to calls for suggestions and reactions. From this input, each 
SAMHSA Center developed a "menu" of suggested topics. The topics were 
discussed jointly and an agency agenda of critical topics was agreed to. 
The selection of topics depended heavily on policy importance and on the 
existence of adequate research and practitioner experience on which to base 
studies. While SAMHSA's FY 1999 KD&A programs will sometimes involve the 
evaluation of some delivery of services, they are services studies and 
application activities, not merely evaluation, since they are aimed at 
answering policy-relevant questions and putting that knowledge to use.
SAMHSA differs from other agencies in focusing on needed
information at the services delivery level, and in its question-focus. 
 Dissemination and application are integral, major features of the 
programs. SAMHSA believes that it is important to get the information into 
the hands of the public, providers, and systems administrators as 
effectively as possible. Technical assistance, training, preparation of 
special materials will be used, in addition to normal communications means.
SAMHSA also continues to fund legislatively-mandated services
programs for which funds are appropriated.
2.	Special Concerns

SAMHSA's legislatively-mandated services programs do provide funds
for mental health and/or substance abuse treatment and prevention services. 
However, SAMHSA's KD&A activities do not provide funds for mental health 
and/or substance abuse treatment and prevention services except sometimes 
for costs required by the particular activity's study design. Applicants 
are required to propose true knowledge application or knowledge development 
and application projects. Applications seeking funding for services 
projects under a KD&A activity will be considered nonresponsive.
Applications that are incomplete or nonresponsive to the GFA will
be returned to the applicant without further consideration.
3.	Criteria for Review and Funding

Consistent with the statutory mandate for SAMHSA to support
activities that will improve the provision of treatment, prevention and 
related services, including the development of national mental health and 
substance abuse goals and model programs, competing applications requesting 
funding under the specific project activity in section 4 will be reviewed 
for technical merit in accordance with established PHS/SAMHSA peer review 
procedures.
3.1	General Review Criteria

As published in the Federal Register on July 2, 1993 (Vol. 58, No.
126), SAMHSA's "Peer Review and Advisory Council Review of Grant and 
Cooperative Agreement Applications and Contract Proposals," peer review 
groups will take into account, among other factors as may be specified in 
the application guidance materials, the following general criteria:
<bullet> Potential significance of the proposed project;
<bullet> Appropriateness of the applicant's proposed objectives to
the goals of the specific program;
<bullet> Adequacy and appropriateness of the proposed approach and
activities;
<bullet> Adequacy of available resources, such as facilities and
equipment;
<bullet> Qualifications and experience of the applicant
organization, the project director, and other key personnel; and <bullet> 
Reasonableness of the proposed budget.
3.2	Funding Criteria for Scored Applications

Applications will be considered for funding on the basis of their
overall technical merit as determined through the peer review group and the 
appropriate National Advisory Council review process.
Other funding criteria will include:
<bullet> Availability of funds.
4.	Special FY 1999 SAMHSA Activity

4.1.	Coordinating Center for the Development of Community Partnerships and 
the Provision of Technical Assistance to Prevent School Violence and 
Enhance Resilience (Violence Prevention Coordination, SM 99-013)

<bullet> Application Deadline: July 13, 1999
<bullet> Purpose: The U. S. Department of Health and Human
Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration 
(SAMHSA), Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) and the Departments of 
Education and Justice announce the availability of a cooperative agreement 
for a Coordinating Center for the Development of Community Partnerships and 
the Provision of Technical Assistance to Prevent School Violence and 
Enhance Resilience, hereinafter referred to as the Violence Prevention 
Coordinating Center (VPC), to provide technical assistance for grantees in 
the Inter-Departmental Safe Schools/Healthy Students (SS/HS) Initiative, 
the CMHS School Action Grant Program, and other CMHS violence 
prevention-related activities. This Cooperative Agreement requires the 
grantee to develop a model for providing assistance designed to provide the 
highest quality of facilitation, training, and technical assistance to the 
Federal grantees in SS/HS and School Action Grant programs and to other 
contractors involved in the CMHS School Violence Prevention program by 
creating an organized group of nationally known experts and established TA 
entities who have the knowledge and skills pertinent to the programmatic 
goals of the targeted grantees. Safe Schools/Healthy Students Initiative 
and School Action grantees are linked to expert consultants through 
individualized brokering based on local need. The VPC Consultant/Broker is 
responsible for matching a grantee's TA needs to an expert or experts who 
can be effective in offering consultation or facilitation in solving 
specific grantee problems or challenges. Over the course of this grant 
program, TA could increasingly be provided by peer grantees who have 
developed significant expertise. The VPC shall emphasize and encourage 
accountability through the creation and maintenance of continuous feedback 
mechanisms.
<bullet> Eligibility: Applications may be submitted by domestic
public or private nonprofits such as incorporated volunteer organizations, 
units of State or local governments, community-based organizations, and 
public or private universities, colleges, and hospitals. The U.S. 
Department of Education is an essential partner in the Inter-Departmental 
Safe Schools/Healthy Students Initiative. The Department of Education is 
statutorily restricted to funding only nonprofit recipients. It is seen to 
be in the interest of the Departments and the Inter-Departmental grantees 
to provide technical assistance in a comprehensive and coordinated manner 
to the Inter-Departmental grantees, and to avoid the separation and 
fragmentation involved in awarding to two types of recipients, i.e., a 
profit maker and a nonprofit. The grantees will thus be able to obtain 
assistance from one source, a nonprofit, which will better ensure the 
success and effectiveness of the Initiative.
<bullet> Grants/Amounts: Approximately $2.8 million will be
available per year to support one grantee. This award covers both direct 
and indirect costs.
<bullet> Period of Support: Support may be requested for a period
of up to 3 years. Annual awards will be made subject to
[[Page 27592]]
continued availability of funds and progress achieved.
<bullet> Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 93.230
<bullet> Program Contact: For programmatic or technical assistance
contact:
Gail F. Ritchie, M.S.W., Special Programs Development Branch, Division of 
Program Development, Special Populations and Projects, Center for Mental 
Health Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 
5600 Fishers Lane, Room 18C-07, Rockville, MD 20857, (301) 443-7790, 
301-443-7912 (Fax).
Gwendolyn G. Bennett, Public Health Advisor, Special Programs Development 
Branch, Division of Program Development, Special Populations and Projects, 
Center for Mental Health Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health 
Services Administration, 5600 Fishers Lane, Room 18C-07, Rockville, MD 
20857, (301) 443-7790, (301) 443-7912 (Fax).
<bullet> Questions Regarding Grants Management Issues may be
directed to Stephen J. Hudak, Division of Grants Management, OAPS, 
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 5600 Fishers 
Lane, Room 15C-05, Rockville, Maryland 20857; (301) 443-4456, E-Mail:
shudak@samhsa.gov.
<bullet> For application kits, contact: Knowledge Exchange Network
(KEN). PO Box 42490, Washington, DC 20015. Voice (800) 789-2647, TTY:
(301) 443-9006, FAX (301) 984-8796
5.	PHS Non-Use of Tobacco Policy Statement

The PHS strongly encourages all grant and contract recipients to
provide a smoke-free workplace and promote the non-use of all tobacco 
products. In addition, Pub. L. 103-227, the Pro-Children Act of 1994, 
prohibits smoking in certain facilities (or in some cases, any portion of a 
facility) in which regular or routine education, library, day care, health 
care, or early childhood development services are provided to children. 
This is consistent with the PHS mission to protect and advance the physical 
and mental health of the American people.
Dated: May 11, 1999.
Nelba Chavez,
Administrator, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
Dated: May 13, 1999.
Judith Johnson,
Acting Assistant Secretary, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Dated: May 14, 1999.
Shay Bilchik,
Administrator, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.
[FR Doc. 99-12710 Filed 5-19-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4162-20-U


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Eddie G. Gouge
Assistant Director, Federal Relations - Food and Agricultural Sciences
National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges
Suite 400
1307 New York Avenue, NW
Washington, DC  20005-4701
(202) 478-6028
(202) 478-6046  (FAX)
E-Mail:  egouge@nasulgc.org <mailto:egouge@nasulgc.org>

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