Technical and Non-Financial Assistance to Health Centers and National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Delivery Sites (93.129)
Program
93.129 Technical and Non-Financial Assistance to Health Centers and National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Delivery Sites
Federal Agency
HEALTH RESOURCES AND SERVICES ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Authorization
Public Health Service Act, as amended, Section M.
Program Number
93.129
Last Known Status
Active
Objectives
To provide assistance to health centers across the state or region in the following areas: (1) Collaborative activities on State, regional, or market area levels; (2) involvement of State agencies in assuring primary care to medically underserved populations; (3)development of shared services and joint purchasing arrangements; (4) provision of, or arrangement for, training, assessment of community health center needs, expertise in dealing with homeless, public housing, farm workers, children, rural health and other special populations, and management and maximization of nonfederal resources; and (5) expanding the health center network and ensuring high quality care in health centers.
Types of Assistance
Project Grants.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Recipients will be expected to provide certain technical and non-financial assistance to health centers and NHSC delivery sites.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Eligible applicants are private nonprofit entities, including State and regional primary care associations.
Beneficiary Eligibility
This program will benefit medically underserved populations.
Credentials/Documentation
For other grantees, costs will be determined in accordance with DHHS Regulations 45 CFR 74 for nonprofit applicants.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
Preapplication Coordination is not required. 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. Informal inquiries regarding the program and intent to submit an application should be directed to the Director, Division of State And Community Assistance (DSCA) Bureau of Primary Health Care for Health Resources and Services Administration.
Application Procedure
Application kits are obtained by writing to the HRSA Grants Application Center. Attention: Grants Management Office,Primary Care Applications, 901 Russel Avenue, Suite 450, Gaithersburg,MD 20879.
Award Procedure
Applications are reviewed by the HRSA Field Office serving the State where the applicant is located and by the Bureau of Primary Health Care. Applications are reviewed for merit and are recommended for approval or disapproval. Final decisions are made by the Associate Administrator (Director of the Bureau of Primary Health Care), Health Resources and Services Administration.
Deadlines
Contact the appropriate HRSA Field Office for further information.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Appeals
Applicants may revise and resubmit applications.
Renewals
Support is recommended for a specified project period, not in excess of 5 years. After initial awards are made, projects may be renewed annually depending on the submission and approval of a satisfactory application.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
There are no statutory formula or matching requirements.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Awards are made annually. After awards are issued, funds are released in accordance with DHHS payment procedures, which may be through an Electronic Transfer System or a Monthly Cash Request System.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Semi-annual program reports, financial status reports, and special reports are required as requested.
Audits
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A- 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 officials.
Records
Financial records must be kept available for 3 years after the submission of financial status reports, and 3 years after the final disposition of non-expendable property. If questions remain, such as those raised as a result of an audit, records must be retained until the problem is resolved.
Program Accomplishments
In fiscal year 2002, 50 organizations were funded. It is estimated that 50 awards will be made in fiscal year 2003. It is expected that 50 associations will be funded in fiscal year 2004.
Financial Information
Account Identification
75-0350-0-1-550.
Obligations
(Grants) FY 02 $22,880,861, FY 03 est 25,000,000 and FY 04 $25,000,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
$175,000 to $771,000; $378,000.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
Pertinent information may be obtained by contacting the Director, DSCA, BPHC, HRSA or BPHC Website http://bphc.hrsa.gov.
Related Programs
93.130, Primary Care Services_Resource Coordination and Development; 93.224, Community Health Centers; 93.246, Health Centers Grants for Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
Contact the Director of State AAnd Community Assistance (DSCA) for further information.
Headquarters Office
Program Contact: Director, Division of State And Community Assistance(DSCA), Bureau of Primary Health Care, Health Resources and Services Administration, Public Health Service, Department of Health and Human Services, 4350 East-West Highway, 3rd Floor, Bethesda, MD 20814. Telephone: (301) 594-4488. Grants Management, Office of Grants Management, Bureau of Primary Health Care, Health Resources and Services Administration, Public Health Service, Department of Health and Human Services, 4350 East-West Highway, 11th Floor, Bethesda, MD 20814. Telephone: (301) 594-4235. Use the same numbers for FTS.
Web Site Address
Examples of Funded Projects
A grant to a State primary care association for any or all of the following activities: (1) Managing the growth and quality of health centers; (2) supporting the use of State resources (including Medicaid, Children's Health Insurance Program, Maternal and Child Health and Special Population funding) for primary care purposes to medically underserved populations; (3) assisting Health Centers in preparing their applications for Federal, State and local funding; (4) providing training and technical assistance in management and governance; (5) developing shared services and joint purchasing agreements for health centers and other safety net providers; (6) assisting health centers, and other similar providers in retaining and recruiting primary care providers; (7) promoting partnerships with State and local health departments, State Offices of Rural Health, Area Health Education Centers, Ryan White programs, Maternal and Child Health programs, hospitals, specialty and social service providers and residency programs; (8) coordinating activities with National Health Service Corps State loan repayment activities, and other State health profession loan repayment/scholarship programs and encouraging students to pursue careers in primary care; and (9) planning and developing resources for activities in support of pregnant women and children as well as activities targeted towards special needs populations such as the homeless, substance abusers, HIV-infected individuals, rural populations, the elderly and migrant/seasonal farmworkers.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Applicants for funding under Section 330 to provide technical and non-financial assistance to health centers, will be evaluated on their ability to perform State-specific activities in the following areas: (1) Assess and analyze the State's health policy environment, its unmet need for preventive and primary care services, its marketplaces as well as its major disparities in health outcomes; and (2) develop strategies and activities to effectively assist health centers in their response to these State environmental conditions.
