Grant and cooperative agreement awards: Congress of National Black Churches, Inc.,

[Federal Register: January 30, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 20)]

[Notices]

[Page 4642-4643]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr30ja98-63]

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Office of the Secretary

Notice of a Cooperative Agreement With the Congress of National Black Churches

The Office of Minority Health (OMH), Office of Public Health and Science, announces that it will enter into an umbrella cooperative agreement with The Congress of National Black Churches, Inc. (CNBC). This cooperative agreement will establish the broad programmatic framework within which specific projects can be funded as they are identified during the project period.

The purpose of this cooperative agreement is to assist this national association in expanding and enhancing its activities relevant to education, health promotion, disease prevention, and family and youth violence prevention with the ultimate goal of improving the health status of minorities and disadvantaged people, especially within the African American community. The OMH will provide consultation, including administrative and technical assistance as needed, for the execution and evaluation of all aspects of this cooperative agreement. The OMH will also participate and/or collaborate with the awardee in any workshops or symposia to exchange current information, opinions, and research findings.

Authorizing Legislation

This cooperative agreement is authorized under Section 1707(d)(1) of the Public Health Service Act.

Background

Assistance will be provided only to CNBC. No other applications are solicited. CNBC is the only organization capable of administering this cooperative agreement because it has:

1. Developed, expanded, and managed an infrastructure to coordinate and implement various educational programs within local communities, organizations, and local and national churches that deal with racial and ethnic minorities, especially African Americans. CNBC has been actively involved and instrumental in providing a vehicle for coalition building between the church and community-based organizations, and in providing leadership for health promotion strategy and dissemination of prevention information in the African community. The association established 9 national initiatives; Affiliate Relations, Church Rebuilding and Arson Prevention, Institutional Advancement, National

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   Anti-Drug/Violence Program, National Voter Education Program, Children and Family Development, Economic Development Program, Leadership Development Program, and the National Health Program. All of these programs provide a foundation upon which to develop, promote, and manage education and health-related programs aimed at preventing and reducing unnecessary morbidity and mortality rates among African Americans, as well as, improving the quality of life for African Americans.

2. Established itself and its members as a national association with numerous clergy and professionals who serve as leaders and experts in planning, developing, implementing, and promoting educational policy campaigns (locally and nationally) aimed at reducing adverse health behaviors and improving the African American community's overall educational and social well being.

3. Developed a national association whose membership consist of 8 historic black denominations with established linkages to 65,000 African American churches and 19 million people.

4. Developed a base of critical knowledge, skills, and abilities related to serving African Americans with a range of health and social problems. Through the collective efforts of various diverse groups; special institutions, governmental agencies, businesses, legislative and judicial bodies, media and other parts of the community. CNBC has demonstrated (1) the ability to form successful partnerships on mutual education, research, and health endeavors relating to the goal of health promotion and disease prevention in African Americans, (2) leadership necessary to attract minority students into public service and health careers, and (3) the leadership needed to assist health care professionals to work more effectively with African American clients and communities.

   This cooperative agreement will be awarded in FY 1998 for a 12- month budget period within a project period of 5 years. Continuation awards within the project period will be made on the basis of satisfactory progress and the availability of funds.

   Where To Obtain Additional Information

   If you are interested in obtaining additional information regarding this project, contact Ms. Georgia Buggs, Office of Minority Health, 5515 Security Lane, Suite 1000, Rockville, Maryland 20852 or telephone (301) 443-5084.

   The Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance number is 93.004.

   Dated: December 2, 1997. Clay E. Simpson, Jr., Deputy Assistant Secretary for Minority Health.

   [FR Doc. 98-2326Filed1-29-98; 8:45 am]

   BILLING CODE 4160-17-M