Medical Reserve Corps Small Grant Program (93.008)

 

Program

93.008 Medical Reserve Corps Small Grant Program

 

Federal Agency

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

 

Authorization

Public Health Service Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 241, Section 301.

 

Program Number

93.008

 

Last Known Status

Active

 

Objectives

To support the development of Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) units in communities throughout the United States to: (1) increase capacity at the community level to respond during emergencies which have medical consequences, and (2) improve public health in communities through volunteerism on an ongoing basis.

 

Types of Assistance

Project Grants (Cooperative Agreements).

 

Uses and Use Restrictions

Funds are to be used for establishment of community-based, citizen volunteer Medical Reserve Corps. Funds may be used for organizing, volunteer recruitment, assessment of risks and vulnerabilities, strategy development, planning, training, drills/practice, supplies and equipment.

 

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Applicants may be an entity of the local government or a local nonprofit, non-governmental community-based organization. If a local Citizen Corps Council has a nonprofit status, the Citizen Corps Council can be the applicant.

Beneficiary Eligibility

General public.

Credentials/Documentation

Proof of nonprofit status is required as part of the application submission. Costs will be determined in accordance with 45 CFR 74 and 92.

 

Application and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

This program does not require preapplication coordination. 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 the State for more information on the process the State requires to be filed with applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review. This program is also covered by the Public Health Impact System reporting requirements.

Application Procedure

Requests for the standard PHS application form (SF PHS 5161-1, revised July 2000) and instructions for submission should be directed to Ms. Karen Campbell, Grants Management Officer, Office of Minority Health, Office of Public Health and Science, Office of the Secretary, Rockwall II Building, 5515 Security Lane, Suite 1000, Rockville, Maryland 20852. Telephone: (301) 594-0758. A signed original and two copies of the application are to be sent to the above address. Applications are screened upon receipt for completeness, responsiveness and conformance to the program announcement. Those applications judged to be unacceptable based on this initial screening will be returned.

Award Procedure

Accepted applications will be reviewed by a review panel that will make recommendations on the technical merit based on the published criteria. After considering the recommendations of the panel, the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Minority Health will make a final decision on funding projects and a notice of grant award will be issued.

Deadlines

Contact Headquarter Office listed below for application deadlines.

 

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Appeals

None.

Renewals

None.

 

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

This program has no statutory formula or matching requirements.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Grant projects will have a project period not to exceed 3 years, with 12 month budget periods. Following the initial budget period, continued funding is subject to the availability of funds and satisfactory program performance. Necessary instructions regarding payment procedures will be provided at the time of the award.

 

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Progress reports are required annually for each budget period, and a final progress report is due 90 days following the end of the project period. Financial Status Reports are due at the end of each budget period, and a final Financial Status Report is due 90 days following the end of the project period.

Audits

In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A- 133 "Audit of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit 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 as noted in Circular No. A- 133. In addition, grants and cooperative agreements are subject to inspection and audits by HHS and other Federal government officials.

Records

Financial records, supporting documents, statistical records, and all other records pertinent to a grant shall be retained for a minimum of 3 years, or longer pending completion and resolution of any audit finding(s).

 

Program Accomplishments

The Medical Reserve Corps Small Grant Program is being initiated in FY 2002. Therefore, there are no accomplishments to date. The program will result in the establishment of community-based, citizen volunteer Medical Reserve Corps Units across the United States. These units will be linked to established response programs in these communities as well as to Citizens Councils of the USA Freedom Corps. It is estimated that 100 awards will be made in fiscal year 2002 and 400 awards in fiscal year 2003.

 

Financial Information

Account Identification

75-0120-0-1-551.

Obligations

(Cooperative Agreements) FY 02 $0; FY 03 est $2,000,000; and FY 04 est $8,000,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

$10,000 to $50,000; $20,000.

 

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

45 CFR 74 and 92. Specific program requirements are contained in the Federal Register Notice, the application instructions, and the PHS Grants Policy Statement. A guide for local groups/organizations to help them in establishing a Medical Reserve Corps will be disseminated by the Office of the Surgeon General of the U.S. Public Health Service.

 

Related Programs

None.

 

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

Not applicable.

Headquarters Office

Program Contact: Ms. Linda Vogel, Office of the Surgeon General, USPHS, Room 18-66, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, Maryland 20817. Telephone (301) 443-2910 and e-mail: lvogel@osophs.dhhs.gov. Grants Management Contact: Ms. Karen Campbell, Grants Management Officer, Office of Minority Health, Office of Public Health and Science, Office of the Secretary, Rockwall II Building, 5515 Security Lane, Suite 1000, Rockville, Maryland 20852. Telephone: (301) 594-0758.

Web Site Address

http://www.medicalreservecorps.gov

 

Examples of Funded Projects

None.

 

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Complete review criteria are published in the Federal Register Notice or can be obtained from the Program contact. Listed below are some criteria used to review applications: 1) Implementation plan which describing linkages to existing community resources, the role the Medical Reserve Corps will most likely have, and the timeframe for planning and implementation; 2) Management plan describing the organization's capabilities; 3) Evaluation plan describing program goals and how those goals will be assessed; 4) Supporting documentation detailing how the Medical Reserve Corps is connected to a Citizen Corps Council; and 5) Background on the adequacy of demonstrated knowledge of emergency medical response/care systems and utilization of volunteers.