Competitive cooperative agreements to help schools and other agencies that serve youth to implement coordinated school health programs to prevent HIV infection and other important health problems were established with 49 State education agencies; to the education agencies of the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Marina Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau; three Tribal Governments, and to the local education agencies for 25 large urban education agencies. Through these projects, teachers and other school staff, university staff, and staff of agencies that serve special populations receive training to implement effective health education, including HIV prevention. HIV education materials are produced and disseminated, policies are developed and implemented, and youth are receiving HIV prevention education as a part of community prevention efforts and coordinated school health programs. State, territorial, tribal group, and local education agencies competed for funding in fiscal year 2008, with a program period of five years. Approximately eighty awards were made to states, territories, tribal groups, and cities. A new competition for state and local education agencies is expected in fiscal year 2013. National organizations competed for funding in fiscal year 2006 with a project period of 5 years.

Uses and Use Restrictions

Cooperative Agreement funds may be used to support personnel, purchase equipment, supplies, services, and travel directly related to the program activities and consistent with the scope of this program.

Cooperative agreement funds are used to help schools prevent sexual risk behaviors that result in HIV infection, especially among youth who are at highest risk.

For example, cooperative agreement recipients implement and integrate effective policies and educational strategies to reduce risk behaviors that lead to HIV infection among youth; implement strategies to reduce disparities among sub-populations of youth disproportionately affected by HIV infection and other health problems related to sexual risk behaviors; evaluate the implementation and effectiveness of strategies to reduce risks for HIV infection among youth in schools for the purposes of programmatic improvement and long-range planning.

CDC believes that the specific scope and content of HIV education programs in schools should be locally determined and should be consistent with parental and community values.

CDC supports local decision-making by providing sound scientific information to grantees who work directly with schools, communities, and parents.

Funds may be expended for written materials, pictorials, audiovisuals, questionnaires or survey instruments, and educational group sessions related to HIV education for youth, school, and college populations if approved in accordance with the document "Content of AIDS-Related Written Materials, Pictorials, Audiovisuals, Questionnaires, Survey Instruments, and Educational Sessions in Centers for Disease Control Assistance Programs." Cooperative agreement funds are also used to build state education and state health agency partnership and capacity to implement and coordinate school health programs across agencies and within schools.

The expected outcome of this effort is to help schools reduce chronic disease risk factors, including tobacco use, poor nutrition, and physical inactivity.

For example, cooperative agreement recipients implement and integrate effective policies, environmental changes, and educational strategies to reduce unhealthy behaviors; leverage resources to avoid duplication at the state and local levels; evaluate school health capacity-building efforts while implementing effective strategies to reduce priority health risks.

Funds may not be used to conduct research projects, provide direct delivery of patient care or treatment services, and purchase or disseminate condoms.

Although public health may have an assurance role in clinical testing and screening, funds are not to be used to provide clinical testing or screening services.

Funds may not be used for purchasing computer equipment, office equipment or furnishing, renting or leasing office space, or to support construction or renovation unless specifically approved.

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Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Eligible applicants are official States (including the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Marina Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Republic of Palau, and the U.S.

Virgin Islands), Tribal Governments, large urban school districts (with the highest number of reported AIDS cases, high levels of poverty, and student enrollment greater than 75,000 students), and national non-governmental organizations.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Official State education agencies in states and territories in the United States (including the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Marina Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Republic of Palau, and the U.S. Virgin Islands); local education agencies; national private sector organizations and their constituents; universities and colleges; school-age youth, including minority youth, youth in high-risk situations, and youth with special education needs; college-age youth; and school personnel, including teachers, school nurses, paraprofessionals, and school administrators.

Credentials/Documentation

Costs will be determined by 45 CFR Part 74, Subpart Q for nonprofit organizations and in accordance with OMB Circular A-87, "Cost Principles for State and Local Governments."

Aplication and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

Preapplication coordination is not required.

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

Information on the submission of applications may be obtained from Grants Management Branch, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30341. This program is subject to the provisions of 45 CFR Part 92 and 45 CFR Part 74. The standard application forms, as furnished by PHS and required by 45 CFR Part 92 for State and local governments and 45 CFR Part 74 for nonprofit organizations must be used for this program.

Award Procedures

After review and approval, a notice of award is prepared and processed, along with appropriate notification to the public.

Deadlines

Contact Headquarters Office listed below for deadline dates.

Authorization

Public Health Service Act, Section 301(a) and 311 (b) (c), as amended; 42 U.S.C. 241 (a), as amended; 42 U.S.C. 243 (b).

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

From three to four months.

Appeals

None.

Renewals

Information on renewals may be obtained from Bill Ryan, Grants Management Officer, Grants Management Branch, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2920 Brandywine Road, Room 2306, Atlanta, GA 30341.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

None.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Project period can be up to five years. Budget periods are for 12 months. Payment under this program is made available through HHS Payment Management System (PMS).

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

The following reports are required: (1) A report that addresses the recommendations and weaknesses cited in CDC's Evaluation Report of the recipient's continuation application.

This report is due within 30 days after the beginning of the budget period.

(2) An annual progress report is due within 90 days after the end of the budget period and a final performance report is due 90 days after the end of the project period.

This report describes the extent to which program objectives and activities were carried out, reasons for not achieving objectives or carrying out activities as planned, and other information relevant to the program.

This report also describes data generated and includes reports of evaluations of program activities conducted during the budget period.

(3) An annual financial status report is due within 90 days after the end of the budget period and a final financial status report is due within 90 days after 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 Nonprofit 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 the cooperative agreements program shall be retained for a minimum of three years, or until completion and resolution of any audit in process or pending resolution. In all cases, records must be retained in accordance with PHS Grants Policy Statement requirements.

Financial Information

Account Identification

75-0943-0-1-550.

Obigations

(Cooperative Agreements) FY 07 $35,593,000; FY 08 est $35,593,573; and FY 09 est $35,593,573.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

$10,000 to $650,000; $299,000.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature

Subject to regulations outlined in 45 CFR Part 74 and 45 CFR Part 92. Program guidelines are available from the Grants Management Contact.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

Program Contact: John C. Canfield, Program Development and Services Branch, Division of Adolescent and School Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Public Health Service, Department of Health and Human Services, 4770 Buford Highway, Mailstop K-31, Atlanta, GA 30341. Telephone: (770) 488-6141. Grants Management Contact: Bill Ryan, Grants Management Officer, Grants Management Branch, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2920 Brandywine Road, Room 3716, Atlanta, GA 30341. Telephone: (770) 488-2717.

Headquarters Office

Program Contact: John C. Canfield, Program Development and Services Branch, Division of Adolescent and School Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Public Health Service, Department of Health and Human Services, 4770 Buford Highway, Mailstop K-31, Atlanta, GA 30341. Telephone: (770) 488-6141. Fax: (770) 488-6163. E-mail: qzc6@cdc.gov. Grants Management Contact: Bill Ryan, Grants Management Officer, Grants Management Branch, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2920 Brandywine Road, Room 3716, Atlanta, GA 30341. Telephone: (770) 488-2717.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Continuation awards are made on the basis of the following criteria: (1) the accomplishments of the current budget period show that the applicant is meeting its objectives and carrying out activities as planned; (2) the capacity of the recipient and staff responsible for managing and coordinating activities; (3) current collaboration with HIV prevention programs of State and local health agencies and with other relevant organizations; (4) the objectives for the new budget period are realistic, specific, and measurable; (5) a description of the methods of operation and activities that will be used to accomplish the stated objectives; (6) a plan of evaluation; (7) evidence of support from relevant organizations; (8) plans to share information about the program, including copies of HIV education curricula, program descriptions, progress reports, and educational materials with other agencies interested in HIV education for youth; (9) a budget request that is clearly explained, adequately justified, reasonable, and consistent with the intended use of cooperative agreement funds.