955 Availability of Title V funds to fund breastfeeding awareness and support activities through minigrants

Availability of Title V Funds to Fund Breastfeeding Awareness and Support Activities through Mini-Grants

[35 Pa.B. 2963]

   The Bureau of Family Health (Bureau) is accepting mini-grant applications for breastfeeding awareness, community outreach and peer support activities occurring between July 1, 2005, and June 30, 2006, or July 1, 2005, and June 30, 2007. Starting July 1, 2005, applicants will have a choice of applying for a ''single'' or a ''double'' mini-grant. A ''single'' mini-grant applies to activities occurring between July 1, 2005, and June 30, 2006. A maximum of $3,000 is available for this period. A ''double'' mini-grant applies to activities occurring between July 1, 2005, and June 30, 2007. A maximum of $6,000 is available for this 2-fiscal-year period, with a maximum of $3,000 for each fiscal year period. Funds cannot be carried over from 1 fiscal year to the next. ''Double'' mini-grants awards will have the assurance of knowing that the Bureau has planned to commit Fiscal Year (FY) 2006-2007 resources to its project, but, like all expenditures of Commonwealth and Federal funds, this commitment is contingent upon the appropriation and availability of those funds.

   Mini-grants for up to $3,000 per 12-month period are available to support activities, events or services with the direct objective of: increasing the number of women who breastfeed for up to 1 year; increasing the number of people who consider breastfeeding acceptable and desirable; increasing the number of pregnant women who select breastfeeding as their long-term infant feeding practice; and decreasing the negative stereotypes associated with breastfeeding among the general public.

   The public health benefits of breastfeeding have been extensively documented. Experts agree that breastfeeding is the optimal way to feed infants. Breastfeeding significantly promotes infant and maternal immediate and long-term health, decreases the frequency of doctor visits, hospitalizations and medication utilization and thereby lowers medical costs. As a result, the decision to breastfeed is of significant importance to the newborn child, the mother and the public health and healthcare system.

   Eligible applicants are public and private organizations, foundations or community-based agencies in this Commonwealth recognized by a Federal Tax ID number. Individuals may not apply. Eligible applicants include medical care facilities, medical providers, educational providers, youth groups, community organizations, employers/businesses, professional associations, local governments, social/human service agencies and schools/colleges/universities. Agencies contracting with the Department of Health (Department) to provide Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children for the period July 1, 2005, through June 30, 2007, are not eligible to apply.

   Funds may be used to support ongoing or one-time activities, events or services that promote the objectives of the program, including equipment, teaching tools, staff time to perform group counseling, community educational and advocacy functions, advertising, space rental for special activity and trainer expenses. Applicants may apply for funding to cover multiple purchases/activities, not to exceed $3,000 cumulatively per grant period.

   Completed applications for either ''single'' or ''double'' mini-grants will be accepted between June 1, 2005, and March 1, 2006. Applicants will be considered on a first-come-first-served basis contingent upon the availability of 2005 fiscal year funds and Department approval. Applications received after March 1, 2006, cannot be considered for FY 2005-2006 funding. Copies of application forms and other background information are available on the Department's website: www.health.state.pa.us (Search: Mini-grants).

   Completed applications will be scored by an independent review panel using a 10 factor rating scale. The 5 rating factors are: soundness of approach (5 points), documented need and target population selection (2 points), resources leveraged and involvement of key stakeholders in application planning (1 point), media involvement (1 point) and evaluation/measurement of results (1 point). One bonus point will given to any applicant with documented media commitment or involvement.

   Applicants will be notified of approval/disapproval in writing within 30 days of receipt of a completed application. Applicants not selected for funding will be offered one opportunity to be reconsidered after revising their application to conform to the guidelines. It is anticipated that 50 awards may be made. Awardees are expected to abide the provisions and limitations of the Federal funding source, the Title V Maternal and Child Health Block Grant (42 U.S.C.A. § 701 et seq.)

   To request application materials or for additional information related to this initiative, contact Wanda Godar, Bureau of Family Health, Division of Community Systems Development and Outreach, P. O. Box 90, 7th Floor East, Health and Welfare Building, Harrisburg, PA 17108, [phone], for speech and/or hearing impaired per-sons V/TT [phone] or the Pennsylvania AT&T Relay Service, [phone] (TT).

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

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 05-955. Filed for public inspection May 13, 2005, 9:00 a.m.]