Healthy Start Initiative (93.926)

Program

93.926 Healthy Start Initiative

Federal Agency

Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Office: Health Resources and Services Administration

Authorization

Public Health Service Act, Title III, Part D, Section 330H; 42 U.S.C. 254c-8.

Program Number

93.926

Last Known Status

Active

Objectives

To eliminate disparities in perinatal infant and maternal health by: enhancing a community's health care infrastructure and service system and a State's infrastructure; and directing resources and interventions to improve access to, utilization of, and full participation in comprehensive perinatal and women's health services, particularly for women and infants at higher risk for poor health outcomes.

Types of Assistance

PROJECT GRANTS

Uses and Use Restrictions

Every Healthy Start project implements community-driven approaches to address infant mortality rates by reducing maternal behavioral and medical risk factors and promoting healthy outcomes for women and their families. Beginning with prenatal care and continuing through the infant's second year of life, each community awarded funds assures the availability of a core set of services and activities for the perinatal population in their project area. These services include case management, home visiting and links to health care and other needed services for mothers and their infants; direct outreach and peer mentoring by trained community members; screening and referral for perinatal/postpartum depression; and strong coordination with and access to substance abuse, domestic violence, mental health, early intervention, parenting and other critical services for high-risk women and families. In addition, each Healthy Start project is required to have a community-based consortium composed of individuals and organizations and that includes women and families served by their project, to collaborate with their State Title V (MCH) Agency, and to implement a local health system action plan to improve the quality, cultural competence of and access to services and/or to address other problems in the local system of care. Funds may not be used to supplant currently funded activities/services.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Urban and rural communities with significant disparities in perinatal health, and States with need to build their infrastructure/capacity to address and support those communities trying to achieve the goals of the Healthy Start program. Eligible applicants are any public or private entity, including an Indian Tribe or tribal organization (as those terms are defined at 25 U.S.C. 450b). Community-based organizations, including faith-based organizations are eligible to apply.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Service area residents, particularly women and infants in areas with significant perinatal health disparities.

Credentials/Documentation

Applicants should review the individual HRSA Guidance documents issued under this CFDA program for any required proof or certifications which must be submitted prior to or simultaneous with submission of an application package. OMB Circular No. A-87 applies to this program.

Application and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

Preapplication coordination is required. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. 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 Procedure

OMB Circular No. A-102 applies to this program. OMB Circular No. A-110 applies to this program. HRSA requires all applicants to apply electronically through Grants.gov.

All qualified applications will be forwarded to an objective review committee. Based on the advice of the objective review committee, the HRSA program official with delegated authority is responsible for final selection and funding decisions.

Award Procedure

Notification is made in writing by a Notice of Grant Award.

Deadlines

Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Final decisions are made approximately 166 days after receipt of applications.

Appeals

Not Applicable.

Renewals

After initial award, projects may be renewed annually up to the limit of the project period upon the submission and approval of a satisfactory continuation application.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

This program has no statutory formula.

This program has no matching requirements.

This program does not have MOE requirements.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Project periods vary depending on specific grant announcement with non-competing continuation awards made on an annual basis for up to 5 years depending on satisfactory progress and subject to the availability of funds. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: Grantees drawdown funds, as necessary, from the Payment Management System (PMS). PMS is the centralized web based payment system for HHS awards.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Annual Reports. No cash reports are required. FSR. No expenditure reports are required. No performance monitoring is required.

Audits

In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.

Records

Grantees are required to maintain grant accounting records for 3 years after the date they submit the FSR. If any litigation, claim, negotiation, audit, or other action involving the award has been started before the expiration of the 3-year period, the records shall be retained until completion of the action and resolution of all issues which arise from it, or until the end of the regular 3-year period, whichever is later.

Program Accomplishments

Fiscal Year 2008: In FY 08, 8 new awards were made and 93 existing projects received awards. Fiscal Year 2009: It is estimated that 104 projects will be awarded in FY�s 09 and 10. Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available

Financial Information

Account Identification

75-0350-0-1-550.

Obligations

(Project Grants) FY 08 $99,744,481; FY 09 est $102,372,000; FY 10 est $102,372,000

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

No Data Available.

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

This program is subject to the provisions of 45 CFR Part 92 for State, local and tribal governments and 45 CFR Part 74 for institutions of higher education, hospitals, other nonprofit organizations and commercial organizations, as applicable.

Related Programs

93.110 Maternal and Child Health Federal Consolidated Programs; 93.224 Consolidated Health Centers (Community Health Centers, Migrant Health Centers, Health Care for the Homeless, Public Housing Primary Care, and School Based Health Centers)

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

See Regional Agency Offices. Director, Division of Healthy Start and Perinatal Services, Maternal and Child Health Bureau, Health Resources and Services Administration, Department of Health and Human Services, Room 18-12, Parklawn Building, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857. Telephone: (301) 443-0543.

Headquarters Office

Director, Division of Healthy Start and Perinatal Services 5600 Fishers Lane, Room 18-12, Rockville, Maryland 20857 Phone: (301) 443-0543

Web Site Address

www.hrsa.gov.

Examples of Funded Projects

Fiscal Year 2008: From pregnancy either to the next pregnancy or 2 years post delivery for the mother and infant, every Healthy Start project assures the availability of a core set of services and system building activities to the perinatal population in the project area. Projects include a consortium, case management, outreach, health education, screening and referral for depression, collaboration with State Title V, a local health system action plan, and plans for sustainability. Fiscal Year 2009: No Current Data Available Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

See specific program grant guidance.