Examples of funded projects include such activities as: (1) Assisting school teams to reduce the prevalence of asthma triggers in urban school districts; (2) Conducting an education and outreach campaign in low-income diverse urban neighborhoods on vehicle idling, asthma, and ambient air quality; (3) Identifying neighborhood environmental and/or public health concerns to local residents and developing strategies to measurably improve the local environment and/or public health; (4) Developing an integrated pest management program which focuses on reducing pesticide exposures for elderly populations; and (5) Developing and implementing a volunteer water monitoring program to measure and track the water quality of a water body or watershed in a community.
There are many other types of eligible projects.
This grant program is designed to allow applicants the flexibility to propose a project that fits community needs and funding priorities.
Additional examples of funded projects can be found at http://www.epa.gov/ne/eco/uep/hcgp.html.
The mission of the Environmental Protection Agency is to protect human health and the environment. Since 1970, EPA has been working for a cleaner, healthier environment for the American people.
All projects funded through the Healthy Communities Program reduce environmental risks, and protect and improve human health and the quality of life to create healthy communities and ecosystems. Specific outputs, services and results vary based on each project and Target Program Area(s)identified. Overall program accomplishments include, but are not limited to: reduction in childhood lead poisoning, increased education and outreach related to environment and public health issues, reduction in asthma emergency room visits, increased water quality data and information on urban rivers and wetlands, and increased number of school teams trained or provided technical assistance. In 2007, 91 initial submissions were received and of those, 57 applicants were invited to submit a full proposal. Fifty-four applicants submitted full proposals and of those, 20 awards were granted in fiscal year 2007. It is anticipated that 10-20 awards will be granted in fiscal year 2008.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Assistance agreement awards under this program may involve or relate to geospatial information.
Further information regarding geospatial information may be obtained by viewing the following website: http://geodata.epa.gov.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Assistance under this program is available to State, Local, public nonprofit institutions/organizations, private nonprofit institutions/organizations, quasi-public nonprofit institutions/organizations, Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments, K-12 schools or school districts; and non-profit organizations (e.g.
grassroots and/or community-based organizations).
Funding will be considered for a college or university to support a project with substantial community involvement.
Private businesses, federal agencies, and individuals are not eligible to be grant recipients; however, they are encouraged to work in partnership with eligible applicants on projects.
Applicants need not be located within the boundaries of the EPA regional office to be eligible to apply for funding but must propose projects that affect the States, Tribes, and Territories within their Region.
For certain competitive funding opportunities under this CFDA description, the Agency may limit eligibility to compete to a number or subset of eligible applicants consistent with the Agency's Assistance Agreement Competition Policy.
Beneficiary Eligibility
State, Local, Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments, public nonprofit institutions/organizations, private nonprofit institutions/organizations, quasi-public nonprofit institutions/organizations, anyone/general public.
Credentials/Documentation
Tribes may be asked to demonstrate that they are federally recognized. Interstate organizations may be asked to provide a citation to the statutory authority, which establishes their status. Intertribal consortia may be asked to provide documentation that they meet the requirements of 40 CFR Part 35.504. Non-profit applicants are not required to have a formal Internal Revenue Service (IRS) nonprofit designation, such as 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4); however they must present their letter of incorporation or other documentation demonstrating their non-profit or not-for-profit status. This requirement does not apply to public agencies or Federally Recognized Indian Tribes. Failure to enclose the letter of incorporation or other documentation demonstrating non-profit or not-for-profit status will render full proposal submissions incomplete and they will not be reviewed. Applicants who have an IRS 501(c)(4) designation are not eligible for grants if they engage in lobbying, no matter what the source of funding for the lobbying activities. For-profit enterprises are not eligible to receive sub-grants from eligible recipients, although they may receive contracts, subject to EPA's regulations on procurement under assistance agreements, 40 CFR 30.40 (for non-governmental recipients) and 40 CFR 31.36 (for governments).
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
For competitive awards, a one page summary format is provided in the competitive announcement.
Applicants invited to submit a full proposal are required to submit the SF 424, 424A, 424B, and the pre-award compliance report.
Regarding pre-application/pre-proposal assistance with respect to competitive funding opportunities under this program description, EPA will generally specify the nature of the pre-application/pre-proposal assistance, if any, that will be available to applicants in the competitive announcement.
For additional information, contact the individual(s) listed as "Information Contacts" or see Appendix IV of the Catalog.
Interested applicants should review information on the Internet at: http://www.epa.gov/ne/eco/uep/hcgp.html.This program is eligible for coverage under E.O.
12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.
Application Procedures
The Healthy Communities Grant Program has a two step process for evaluating competitive applications which is described in the annual Request for Initial Proposals. The standard application forms as furnished by the Federal agency and required by OMB Circular No. A-102 must be used for this program. Application forms are available at http://www.epa.gov/ogd/AppKit/index.htm and by mail upon request to the Grants and Interagency Agreements Management Division at (202) 564-5305. Completed applications should be submitted to the Region I Office. Applicants may be able to use http://www.grants.gov to electronically apply for certain grant opportunities under this CFDA.
Award Procedures
For competitive awards, EPA will review and evaluate applications, proposals, and/or submissions in accordance with the terms, conditions, and criteria stated in the competitive announcement. Competitions will be conducted in accordance with EPA policies/regulations for competing assistance agreements.
Deadlines
Deadlines for competitive awards will be specified in the annual competitive funding announcement.
Authorization
Clean Air Act, Section 103; Clean Water Act, Section 104(b)(3); Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974, Section 1442(a)(b)(c); Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, Section 20; National Environmental Education Act, Section 6; Pollution Prevention Act, Section 6605; Solid Waste Disposal Act, Section 8001; Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976, as amended; Toxic Substances Control Act, Section 10, as amended; and Indian Environmental General Assistance Program Act.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Applicants will be notified within 60 days of receipt of submission for funding.
Appeals
Assistance agreement competition-related disputes will be resolved in accordance with the dispute resolution procedures published in 70 FR (Federal Register) 3629, 3630 (January 26, 2005). Copies of these procedures may also be requested by contacting the individual(s) listed as "Information Contacts." Disputes relating to matters other than the competitive selection of recipients will be resolved under 40 CFR 30.63 or 40 CFR 31.70, as applicable.
Renewals
All competitive grant awards should be prepared and submitted as new projects, which will be evaluated based on criteria specified in annual competitive funding announcement. Renewals or extensions of existing projects may be available.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
The grant program generally allows a match of up to 5 percent of the total budget but it is not required. Any exceptions will be identified in the competitive funding announcement. Award recipients can use contributions from entities other than themselves as a match. However, other Federal money cannot be used as the match for this grant program. Matching funds are considered grant funds. They must be used for the reasonable and necessary expenses of carrying out the assistance agreement work plan. Any restrictions on the use of grant funds (e.g., prohibition of land acquisition with grant funds) also apply to the matching funds. This program has no statutory formula.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Assistance agreements are normally funded on a 12 (annual) or 24 month basis, at the discretion of the applicant. There is no restriction placed on the time permitted to spend the money awarded as long as the money is spent within the budget and project periods of the award specified in the workplan and the budget worksheet in the SF 424.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
EPA includes reporting requirements for cooperative agreements in the terms and conditions of the agreements.
Cooperative agreements require quarterly and final progress and expenditure reports; program evaluations and other reports as detailed by the specific terms and conditions of the agreements.
Audits
Grants and cooperative agreements are subject to inspections and audits by the Comptroller General of the United States, the EPA Office of Inspector General, other EPA staff, or any authorized representative of the Federal government. Reviews by the EPA Project Officer and the Grants Specialist may occur each year. In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend $500,000 or more in a year in Federal awards shall have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in OMB Circular No. A-133.
Records
Financial records, including all documents to support entries on accounting records and to substantiate changes to each grant must be kept available to personnel authorized to examine EPA grant accounts. All records must be maintained until expiration of three years from the date of submission of the final expenditure report. If questions still remain, such as those raised as a result of audit, related records should be retained until the matter is completely resolved.
Financial Information
Account Identification
68-0108-0-1-304.
Obigations
FY 07 $592,410; FY 08 est not available; and FY 09 est not available. The Healthy Communities Grant Program combines resources across contributing regional and national programs and varies annually.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
$10,789 to $35,000/fiscal year; $29,621/fiscal year.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
Grants and cooperative agreements awarded under the Healthy Communities Grant Program are subject to EPA's General Grant Regulations, and Procedures (40 CFR Parts 30 and 40 CFR Parts 31). Costs will be determined on accordance with OMB Circular A-87 for State and Local governments and Indian Tribes, OMB Circular A-21 for educational institutions and OMB Circular A-122 for nonprofit institutions.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
Sandra Brownell, EPA Region I, 1 Congress Street, CPT, Suite 1100, Boston, MA 02114. Telephone: (617) 918-1797. Toll Free: (888) 372-7341. TTY: (617) 918-2028. Fax: (617) 918-0797. E-Mail: Brownell.Sandra@epa.gov.
Headquarters Office
None.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
The evaluation and selection criteria for competitive awards under this CFDA description will be described in the competitive announcement.
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