174 Availability of funds for traumatic brain injury sports injury education and awareness through mini-grants

Availability of Funds for Traumatic Brain Injury Sports Injury Education and Awareness Through Mini-Grants

[37 Pa.B. 592]
[Saturday, February 3, 2007]

   The Bureau of Family Health's Division of Child and Adult Health Services is accepting applications to support education and awareness of the causes and consequences of concussion/mild-severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) among youth in junior and high school. It is entitled: Sports Injury Education and Awareness Mini-grant Program. Funding for up to $5,000 is available to support education and awareness of the causes of traumatic brain injury as a result of sports or other activities. Activities should educate school staff (that is, teachers, athletic trainers, coaches, school nurses), community sports programs and/or providers of recreational opportunities which could result in physical injury, in appropriate prevention strategies and intervention activities in the event that youth sustain concussions which could result in mild to severe head injury.

   For the purpose of this funding opportunity, a traumatic brain injury is defined as an insult to the brain, not of a degenerative or congenital nature, caused by an external physical force that may produce a diminished or altered state of consciousness which results in impairment of cognitive abilities or physical functioning or in the disturbance of behavioral or emotional functioning. These impairments may be either temporary or permanent and cause partial or total functional disability or psychosocial maladjustment.

   Eligible applicants are Commonwealth public and private organizations, foundations or community-based agencies 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.

   Project funds must be used to reimburse purchases and activities occurring between January 1, 2007, and March 31, 2007. Applicants may apply for funding to cover multiple purchases/activities, not to exceed $5,000.

   Completed applications will be accepted up to the due date, February 9, 2007. Awards will be made after that date and will be contingent upon the availability of funds and Department of Health (Department) approval. Copies of application forms and other background information are available on the Department's website at www.health.state.pa.us (search word: ''mini-grant'').

   Completed applications will be scored by an independent review panel. Rating factors include the following:

   1.  The need for the awareness and educational program is justified.

   2.  The audience of the proposed activity meets the intended target.

   3.  The activities meet the learning objectives, which are:

   a.  How to prevent concussions/mild head injuries.

   b.  How to recognize the warning signs that indicate a concussion/mild TBI has occurred.

   c.  How to intervene when a concussion/mild TBI is suspected.

   4.  The activities, trainer and training content is described, if applicable.

   5.  The application includes evidence of identified relationships or awareness of TBI services that are accessible to an athlete as well as a method of connecting them to these services.

   6.  The proposed budget and purchases are reasonable.

   7.  The measures or evaluation can demonstrate a change in awareness and knowledge of TBI.

   8.  The proposed activity will have an ongoing, systemic benefit to the community.

   Applicants will be notified of approval/disapproval in writing within 30 days of the due date. Awardees are expected to abide by the provisions and limitations of the Federal funding source, the TBI Implementation and Partnership Grant.

   To request application materials or for additional information related to this initiative, contact Danielle M. Tedesco, TBI Program Administrator, Bureau of Family Health, Division of Child and Adult Health Services, Health and Welfare Building, 7th Floor East, 7th and Forster Streets, Harrisburg, PA 17120, [phone], fax [phone], [e-mail].

   Persons with disabilities who require an alternative format of this notice or of the application materials (for example, large print, audiotape, Braille) should contact Danielle M. Tedesco, Bureau of Family Health at [phone] or for speech and/or hearing impaired persons, V/TT [phone] or the Pennsylvania AT&T Relay Services at [phone].

CALVIN B. JOHNSON, M. D., M.P.H.,   
Secretary

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 07-174. Filed for public inspection February 2, 2007, 9:00 a.m.]