Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant (93.991)

Program

93.991 Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant

Federal Agency

Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Office: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Authorization

Public Health Service Act, as amended; Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981, Title XIX, Section 1905, Public Law 97-35, as amended; Preventive Health Amendments of 1984, Public Law 98-555; Health Omnibus Programs Extension Act of 1988, Public Law 100-607; Preventive Health Amendments of 1992, Public Law 102-531.

Program Number

93.991

Last Known Status

Active

Objectives

To provide States with the resources to improve the health status of the population of each grantee by: (A) conducting activities leading to the accomplishment of the year 2010 objectives for the nation; (B) rapidly responding to emerging health threats; (C) providing emergency medical services excluding most equipment purchases; (D) providing services for sex offense victims including prevention activities; and (E) coordinating related administration, education, monitoring and evaluation activities.

Types of Assistance

Formula Grants

Uses and Use Restrictions

Except as described below, Block Grant funds may be used for preventive health service programs for: (A) Activities to achieve improvements in the health status of populations through achievement of the year 2000/2010 health objectives for the nation; (B) preventive health service programs for the control of rodents and for community and school-based fluoridation programs; (C) feasibility studies and planning for emergency medical services systems and the establishment, expansion, and improvement of such systems; Funds may not be used to operate emergency medical services systems or to purchase more than 50 percent of the cost of communications equipment for such systems.(D) providing services to victims of sex offenses and prevention of sex offenses; (E) the establishment, operation, and coordination of effective and cost-efficient systems to reduce the prevalence of asthma and asthma related illnesses, especially among children; (F) related planning, administration, and educational activities; and (G) monitoring and evaluation activities related to (A) through (F).

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Only State and U.S. Pacific Territorial governments, the District of Columbia, the Kickapoo Tribe of Kansas and the Sante Sioux Tribe of Nebraska are eligible for Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grants.

Beneficiary Eligibility

The general public will benefit from the objectives of this program with special attention to disparately affected populations.

Credentials/Documentation

Applications shall contain certification by the CEO of the State that the State has complied with provisions of and will meet the requirements of PHS Act, Title XIX, Section 1905, and Title XVII, Chapter 2 of the Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1981. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87.

Application and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

Preapplication coordination is not applicable. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure

This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110. Each State shall submit an application to the funding agency. Specific format is required, and forms are provided.

Award Procedure

Applications are reviewed for completeness and for compliance with legislative requirements. Award is made to the applicant by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Deadlines

Oct 01, 2009 Applications will be accepted beginning on October 1 of the eligible fiscal year.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

From 15 to 30 days. About 3 weeks.

Appeals

Not Applicable.

Renewals

Not Applicable.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

Statutory formulas are not applicable to this program.

Matching requirements are not applicable to this program.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this program.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Each allotment is available for obligations over a 24-month period; payments are made through the Electronic Transfer System. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: Each allotment is available for obligations over a 24-month period; payments are made through the Electronic Transfer System.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

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. In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit 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

Each State must maintain records which are consistent with their State laws and requirements.

Program Accomplishments

Fiscal Year 2008: In Indiana, PHHSBG funds were used to support the School Physical Activity and Nutrition Survey to obtain baseline data on nutrition and physical activity habits of children. In Illinois, PHHSBG funds are supporting a new program called HI TRACK to screen all newborns for congenital hearing loss before they leave the hospital. In Kansas, the Center for Health and Wellness in northeast Wichita used PHHSBG funds to provide 9,649 blood pressure checks and referred 1,328 people for follow-up. In New York, PHHSBG funds support the Childhood Lead Poisoning Program, which found 2,568 children to have elevated blood lead levels. In Iowa, PHHSBG funds helped develop Lighten Up Iowa to encourage people to adopt better nutrition and physical activity habits. In Texas, PHHSBG funds were used to establish a Hearne Community Garden in Robertson County to increase awareness of the importance of eating fruits and vegetables. In Wisconsin, PHHSBG funds are helping rural health departments develop multicounty environmental coalitions to eliminate food and water contamination, radon, asbestos, and other human health hazards. In Nebraska, only 22 (24%) of the 93 counties have a local health department. PHHSBG funds were used to develop a strategic plan to increase awareness of the benefits of a strong public health system. As a result, the state legislature allocated funding to establish district health departments to provide services to the 71 counties that did not have a health department. In Ohio, PHHSBG funds launched 21 cardiovascular health projects to increase the number of heart-healthy communities in areas of Ohio at high risk for heart disease. In California, PHHSBG funds helped to create The California Asthma Among School-Aged Children Project. In Florida, the PHHSBG funds the Pasco Community Intervention Program, which provides health screenings to migrant farm workers of Mexican descent and promotes physical activity through programs such as Folklorico, an intergenerational dance program. In Minnesota, PHHSBG funds were used to develop teaching modules called the Core Essentials of Public Health: Applications for Public Health Nursing. CDC and PHHS Block Grantees worked cooperatively to develop the Grant Application and Reporting System (GARS). GARS is a dynamic accountability tool that formats basic PHHSBG information to identify the role that block grant dollars play in addressing health problems at state and local levels. GARS helps grantees establish health priorities and tie essential program activities to PHHSBG dollars that are spent on public health programs. The GARS applications and reports are submitted electronically to CDC via E-mail or a direct Internet connection. Fiscal Year 2009: Texas
Williamson County, Texas, faces a sizeable health crisis that puts a large portion of its residents at risk for developing life threatening diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. Community nutrition surveys show that residents of Williamson County are eating foods that are low in nutrition and high in calories. In addition to a higher risk of premature death, an unhealthy diet is also associated with the burden of high costs on the medical care system.

To promote a healthy diet, PHHS Block Grant funds were used to develop and implement the Community Garden and Nutrition Program, which encourages participants to grow and eat their own fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables. Williamson County and Cities Health District (WCCHD) formed partnerships with local volunteer organizations, cities, and school districts to establish the gardening program. Using PHHS Block Grant funds, WCCHD hired a horticulturalist to lead the Community Garden and Nutrition Program. Since 2005, the horticulturalist has designed the first Expert Gardener Certification course, created a gardening education curriculum, and developed and taught, From the Garden to the Table/Del Jard�n a la Mesa cooking and nutrition classes for both English- and Spanish-speaking participants. Participants are also benefiting from low impact physical activity through their gardening activities.

The Community Garden and Nutrition Program has been successful in raising awareness among county residents about community gardening, improving nutrition, and increasing physical activity. Additionally, the program has
�Certified 165 Expert Gardener volunteer;
�Provided gardening, cooking, and nutrition classes to more than 400 participants;
�Donated more than 5,000 pounds of fresh, organic produce to local food pantries, Meals on Wheels, nursing homes, retirement facilities, and free lunch programs at the senior center; and,
�Hosted fieldtrips for about 1,700 preschool children and 650 older children.

Virginia
Chronic diseases are the leading causes of death for Virginians. It is estimated that 2.2 million Virginians live with one or more of the following chronic diseases: heart disease, stroke, cancer, asthma, diabetes, and arthritis. In addition, chronic diseases account for approximately 75% of the nation�s $1.4 trillion health care costs each year; which is approximately $24.6 billion for Virginia.

Virginia is proactive about chronic disease prevention and control. Programs such as the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) are devoted to providing the information and resources needed to develop skills that reduce risks and promote healthier lifestyles. Since 2005, PHHS Block Grant funds have supported the delivery of this program to areas of the state that have a higher prevalence of heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, and diabetes. In multiple health districts, the CDSMP coordinator recruits adults living with chronic diseases as well as persons caring for an adult who has a chronic disease. Program participants complete a six week course that teaches them self-management strategies such as medication management, pain management, and relaxation techniques.

Because the program offers strategies that promote self-management techniques, participants are reporting an increase in their skills and ability to manage their chronic diseases, utilization of self-management strategies, healthy lifestyle behaviors (e.g., more walking, better diet, and proper use of medications). Furthermore, participants are reporting a decrease in hospital visits, which could potentially save Virginia thousands of dollars in healthcare costs.

In 2006, CDSMP completed three leader trainings that resulted in 25 new leaders who are teaching CDSMP in two health districts. Some program participants have become leaders. With continued support, CDSMP will help Virginians spend less time in the hospital and more time practicing self-management strategies to improve their health.

Kansas
Lawrence and Douglas County in Kansas are working to reduce the number of overweight and inactive children and adolescents. In 2001, Wakarusa Valley Elementary school in Lawrence became the first Douglas County school to launch the Get Moving! Program. With PHHS Block Grant funds, the Get Moving! Program encourages additional exercise outside of the regular physical education program in schools, encourages families to exercise together, especially during the winter months, and increases the percentage of children and families who participate in regular physical activity. The program elements include

�A supply of Get Moving! Cards. Participants use the cards to detail up to 12.5 hours of physical activity recorded in 30-minute increments.
�Any type of physical activity done outside of school time may be recorded on the card.
�Participants receive extra points for involving a �buddy� (family or friend) in the activity.
�Participants record the days they consumed at least five fruits and vegetables.
�Prizes are awarded for the first three cards returned during the year. A pool pass to the Indoor or Outdoor Lawrence Aquatic Center is awarded when the fourth card is turned in.
�The class with the highest participation percentage wins a pool party.
Over the past five years, the Get Moving! Program has grown to include all 26 schools and educational service centers in Lawrence and 20 additional elementary schools in surrounding communities. Between the 2004 and 2005 school year, a number of successes were noted: the number of students completing at least four cards jumped from 256 to 753; there was an increase in over 6,000 hours of physical activity, recorded in 30-minute increments, among participants in 1st-6th grades; and the number of cards turned in increased by 2,312 in just one year..

What began as an idea in one Douglas county school has become an effective and fun way to combat the growing epidemic of childhood obesity and the chronic health issues attributable to this condition. To save lives and health care dollars, prevention needs to start early and Get Moving! is a step in the right direction. Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available

Financial Information

Account Identification

75-0943-0-1-551.

Obligations

(Formula Grants) FY 08 $91,651,300; FY 09 est $95,892,759; FY 10 est not reported. - FY10 est. not available.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

$21,258 to $7,026,219; $1,572,013. (Note: A formula based on fiscal year 1981 allocations to States is used for the annual basic grant allocation.).

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

45 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 96 (Published in the Federal Register on July 6, 1982 and revised in the Federal Register, October 13, 1987).

Related Programs

Not Applicable.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

None.

Headquarters Office

Sakeena Smith 3005 Chamblee Tucker Road #30, Chamblee, Georgia 30341 Email: szs4@cdc.gov Phone: (770) 488-5426 Fax: (770) 488-5974

Web Site Address

http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/blockgrant

Examples of Funded Projects

Not Applicable.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Not Applicable.