1968 Availability of Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant (Title V) funds through the Lead Poisoning Prevention and Control Program

Availability of Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant (Title V) Funds through the Lead Poisoning Prevention and Control Program

[42 Pa.B. 6350]
[Saturday, October 6, 2012]

 The Department of Health's Bureau of Family Health (Bureau) is accepting small no-bid grant applications to support community-based initiatives, targeted to children under 12 years of age, that directly prevent dwelling based illness and injury. The full application may be downloaded at www.health.state.pa.us/lead.

 Grantees awarded funds through the Lead Poisoning Prevention and Control Program (Program) must use the funds for activities and materials to improve the dwelling-related health and safety of children under 12 years of age across this Commonwealth. Funded services may include:

 1) Provide training or education for vulnerable populations to raise awareness of home health and safety hazards.

 2) Intervene to mitigate home health and safety hazards.

 3) Strengthen infrastructure to increase capacity to prevent illnesses and injuries associated with the home environment.

 4) Improve data collection methods related to incidence of injuries/illnesses with origins in the home, or exacerbated by the home environment.

 Applications will be evaluated upon the creativity and efficacy with which the proposed services will meet these goals. Successful applicants will be awarded small no-bid grants up to $4,999.99.

 Purpose: The Program will provide small no-bid grants to successful applicants in an effort to decrease the incidence of preventable child illness and injury due to the presence of health and safety hazards in housing. Applicants are encouraged to identify and provide services to populations that are most at risk for dwelling related illness and injury. Partnerships with organizations that are working toward similar goals are strongly encouraged to support building community infrastructure.

 Young, low-income children are particularly vulnerable to health complications associated with unhealthy home environments. For example, when mold, mildew, dust mites, pests or pet dander are present in the home, they contribute to asthma development and exacerbation of respiratory irritation. When these allergens are reduced or eliminated, thereby reducing asthma triggers, children have fewer and milder asthmatic episodes. Other home conditions that can lead to illness or injury include lead, radon, safety hazards and carbon monoxide.

 Lead paint and the dust that results from the breakdown of the paint can lead to serious health issues, including loss of IQ, attention deficit disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, coma and even death. Homes built before 1978 are more likely to have lead paint in them, and according to the 2010 Census, this Commonwealth ranks fourth in the nation in the number of homes built before 1978.

 An estimated 40% of Commonwealth homes have radon levels above the United States Environmental Protection Agency's action guideline. In this Commonwealth in 2008, there were 4,620 nonfatal injuries due to nonmotor vehicle accidents for children 14 years of age and under—a rate of 201.7 per 100,000 residents. Nationally, carbon monoxide is the leading cause of accidental poison deaths and nearly 89% of reported nonfire carbon monoxide incidents occur in the home.

 While efforts to reduce across the board childhood illness and injury are necessary, research has demonstrated the need to focus on racial and ethnic minorities. Applicants are encouraged to assess their community and draw upon existing resources and services in reaching high-risk populations and reducing health disparities.

 Funds: Funding for this project is contingent upon Bureau approval. Project funds must be used to reimburse approved purchases and activities occurring from December 22, 2012, through May 15, 2013, not to exceed $4,999.99.

 Requirements: Eligible applicants include public and private organizations, foundations or community based agencies, physically located in this Commonwealth, as recognized by Federal Tax ID number. Individuals may not apply. Informal groups without Federal Tax ID numbers are encouraged to partner with a sponsor organization who may apply on behalf of the group. For profit organizations may apply; however, no applicant may take a profit from these funds.

 Applicants may include:

 • Hospitals

 • Institutions of higher learning

 • Faith-based organizations

 • Community-based organizations

 • Home visiting programs

 To conduct business with the Commonwealth, grantees are required to be enrolled in the Systems, Applications and Products system. Applicants who are not enrolled may apply for a vendor identification number by contacting Central Vendor Management Unit, [phone] or locally at [phone] or http://www.vendorregistration.state.pa.us (click on Non-Procurement Registration Form).

 Application Deadlines: It is anticipated that five awards of $4,999.99 or less will be made under this grant opportunity. To apply for funding, a complete application must be received by the Bureau by November 9, 2012. Applications may be mailed to the address listed at the end of this notice. Applications may not be faxed or e-mailed. Late applications will not be accepted regardless of the reason.

 Application Process: Complete the 2012-2013 Application and the Proposed Budget. An authorized official of the organization must sign and date the application. Submit an original and three complete copies of the application (including the narrative, budget, budget narrative and any supporting attachments). Applications must be page numbered and unbound. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

 Award Determination: All funding decisions are contingent upon the availability of allocated Title V funds and Bureau approval. Applications are scored by a three-member review panel using a rating scale with the following preestablished criteria:

 1. The degree of need for the proposed activity, as justified by the applicant.

 2. The extent to which the activity can demonstrate a change in awareness and actions.

 3. The reasonableness of the proposed expenditures/purchases.

 4. The likelihood that the proposed activity will be of on-going, systemic benefit to the target population.

 Notification of Award: All applicants shall be notified of their award status within 4 weeks of the submission due date. This program reimburses applicants for actual costs incurred by the successful applicant from December 22, 2012, to May 15, 2013, and shall not exceed the approved amount.

 Eligible Costs: Applicants may apply for funding reimbursement of multiple purchases or activities. However, the maximum cumulative award to any one applicant, as identified by Federal ID number, is $4,999.99. In all cases Bureau funds must be used as payer of last resort. Small no-bid grant funds may not supplant existing funds. Funds may be used for reimbursement of one time purchases only. The grantee is the sole owner of the purchased property. The budget section of the application must include a budget narrative detailing by line item how project funds will be used and the degree to which competitive bids were secured for purchases. Price quotes, estimates, catalog samples or any other proof of cost must be submitted for every purchase proposed.

 Expenses eligible for reimbursement under this project include:

 1 Supplies: Carbon monoxide detectors, radon test kits, microfiber, ''green'' cleaning rags, and the like.

 2. Education: training materials, books, workbooks, brochures, posters; translation of educational materials into different languages and for different populations, and the like.

 3. Technology: computer equipment/software, videos, CDs, DVDs, and the like.

 4. Minor renovation to dwelling such as removal of limited mold infestation, integrated pest management interventions, and the like.

 Ineligible Costs: The following costs are not eligible for reimbursement under this program:

 1. Administrative/indirect costs (that is, costs not uniquely attributable in full to the programmatic activity).

 2. New building construction or structural renovation of an existing space.

 3. Capital expenses or equipment.

 4. Staffing/personnel.

 5. One-time consumables (that is, event tickets, food/refreshments, child care, and the like).

 By applying for small no-bid grant funding, applicants acknowledge and affirm that they will abide by the previous spending limitations and the provisions of the Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant Provisions for all money awarded under that application.

 Summary Report and Invoice Procedures: Approved applicants shall be reimbursed with one check for all approved expenses. To receive reimbursement of approved expenses, awardees must submit an invoice to the Bureau within 30 days following completion of funded activity and no later than June 15, 2013.

 Questions should be directed to Todd Christophel, Lead Poisoning Prevention and Control Program, Bureau of Family Health, [phone], [e-mail].

 Applications should be submitted to Department of Health, Bureau of Family Health, Division of Child and Adult Health Services, Lead Poisoning Prevention and Control Program, Health and Welfare Building, 7th Floor East Wing, 625 Forster Street, Harrisburg, PA 17120.

 Only printed applications received by November 9, 2012, will be accepted. Go to www.health.state.pa.us/lead to download the full application, attachments and forms.

ELI N. AVILA, MD, JD, MPH, FCLM, 
Secretary

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 12-1968. Filed for public inspection October 5, 2012, 9:00 a.m.]