Model State-Supported Area Health Education Centers (93.107)
Program
93.107 Model State-Supported Area Health Education Centers
Federal Agency
HEALTH RESOURCES AND SERVICES ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Authorization
Public Health Service Act, Title VII, Section 751(a)(2), as amended; Public Health Professions Education Partnership Act of 1998, Public Law 105-392.
Program Number
93.107
Last Known Status
Active
Objectives
To improve the distribution, supply, and quality of health personnel in the health services delivery system by encouraging the regionalization of health professions schools. Emphasis is placed on community-based training of primary care oriented students, residents, and providers; also includes health careers programs for 9-12 grade students. The Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) program assists schools in the development and operation of AHECs to implement educational system incentives to attract and retain health care personnel in scarcity areas. By linking the academic resources of the university health science center with local planning, educational and clinical resources, the AHEC program establishes a network of health-related institutions to provide educational services to students, faculty and practitioners and ultimately to improve the delivery of health care in the service areas. These programs are collaborative partnerships which address current health workforce needs within a region of a State or in an entire State.
Types of Assistance
Project Grants (Cooperative Agreements).
Uses and Use Restrictions
With respect to the costs of operating the model area health education center program of the school, the school must make available (directly or through donations from public or private entities) nonfederal contributions in cash toward such costs of at least 50 percent of such costs. Amounts provided by the Federal Government may not be included in determining the amount of nonfederal contributions in cash. With respect to the costs of operating the area health education center program of the school, the school will maintain expenditures of nonfederal amounts for such costs at a level of such expenditures maintained by the school for the fiscal year preceding the first fiscal year for which the school receives an award under this program. Schools may expend not more than 10 percent of amounts received for demonstration projects cited under Section 746(a)(3)(E). The aggregate amount of awards to schools in a State for the fiscal year under this new Model AHEC authority shall not exceed the lesser of (i) $2 million; and (ii) and amount equal to $250,000 times the aggregate number of AHEC centers operated in the State by the schools.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
The types of entities eligible to apply for this program include public or private nonprofit accredited schools of medicine and osteopathic medicine and incorporated consortia made up of schools, or the parent institutions of schools. Applicants must also have previously received funds, but are no longer receiving funds under Section 751(a)(1) of the Public Health Service Act, and are operating an AHEC program.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Accredited schools of medicine or osteopathic medicine, or the parent institution on behalf of such schools.
Credentials/Documentation
Costs will be determined by DHHS Regulations 45 CFR 74, Subpart Q.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
Not applicable. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.
Application Procedure
Consultation is available from Headquarters Office staff. Submit applications in accordance with instructions specified. The new URL (Uniform Resource Locator) for the Bureau of Health Professions (BHPr) Grants page is www.hrsa.gov/bhpr/grants.html. This year BHPr has decided to use Adobe Acrobat to publish the grants documents on the Web page. In order to download, view and print these grants documents, you will need a copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader. This can be obtained without charge from the Internet by going to the Adobe Web page (www.adobe.com) and downloading the version of the Adobe Acrobat Reader which is appropriate for your operating system, i.e., Windows, Unix, Macintosh, etc. A set of more detailed instructions on how to download and use the Adobe Acrobat Reader can be found on the BHPr Grants Web page under "Notes on this WWW Page."
Award Procedure
Notification is made in writing by a Notice of Grant Award issued from Headquarters Office.
Deadlines
Application deadlines can be obtained via the Internet at http://www.hrsa.gov/bhpr/grants.2001.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Appeals
None.
Renewals
Competitive continuation may be submitted during the final budget period of the approved project.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Awardees shall make available (directly or through contributions from State, county or municipal governments, or the private sector) recurring non-Federal contributions in cash in an amount not less than 50 percent of the operating costs of the Model State-Supported AHEC Program.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Project periods are limited up to 3 years.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
A Uniform Progress Report(UPR) must be submitted annually. A financial status report must be submitted within 90 days after the end of each budget period. Final progress and financial reports must be submitted within 90 days after the end of the project period.
Audits
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. 133 (Revised, June 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit 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 from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133. In addition, grants and cooperative agreements are subject to inspection and audits by DHHS and other Federal government officials.
Records
Financial records must be kept available for 3 years after submission of final financial status report and 3 years after final disposition of nonexpendable property. If questions remain, such as those raised as a result of audit, records must be retained until the matter is resolved.
Program Accomplishments
IN FY 2002, 19 continuations and 9 competing awards were made. In fiscal year 2003, it is estimated that 21 continuations and 14 competing awards will be made.
Financial Information
Account Identification
75-0350-0-1-550.
Obligations
FY 02 $15,000,000; FY 03 est 15,635,000; and FY 04 est $15,635,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
For fiscal year 2002, $100,690 to $1,114,903; $539,061.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
Pertinent information may be obtained by contacting the Division of Grants Management Operations, Health Resources and Services Administration, Room 11-11, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD.
Related Programs
None.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
Not applicable.
Headquarters Office
Program Contact: Louis D. Coccodrilli, Chief, AHEC Branch, Division of State Community and Public Health, Bureau of Health Professions, Health Resources and Services Administration, Public Health Service, Department of Health and Human Services, Room 9-105, Parklawn Building, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857. Telephone: (301) 443-6950. Grants Management Contact: Mark Wheeler, Grants Management Officer, Bureau of Health Professions, Health Resources and Services Administration, Public Health Service, Department of Health and Human Services, Room 8C-26, Parklawn Building, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857. Telephone: (301) 443-6880. Use the same number for FTS.
Web Site Address
Examples of Funded Projects
Awards are made to a school of medicine or osteopathic medicine that is operating an area health education center program and that is not receiving financial assistance under Section 751(a)(2) of the PHS Act to encourage State coordination and support for AHEC community-based primary care training activities.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Applications are reviewed by nonfederal consultants who make recommendations to the Secretary of the Department. The Secretary will approve projects which best promote the purposes of Section 751(a)(1) and (a)(2). Review Criteria: The following review criteria apply to the Basic/Core AHEC Programs, section 751(a)(1) and the Model State-Sponsored AHEC Programs, section 751(a)(2). The review of applications will take into consideration the following criteria: (1) The degree to which the proposed project adequately provides for the program requirements set forth in sections 751(a)(1) and 751(a)(2); (2) the capability of the applicant to carry out the proposed project activities in a cost-efficient manner; (3) the extent of the need of the area to be served by the proposed area health education center; (4) the potential of the proposed AHEC program and participating centers to continue on a self-sustaining basis; and (5) the extent to which the proposed project adequately responds to AHEC program performance measures and outcome indicators.
