Native American programs: Native Americans Administration program policies and procedures; proposed adoption,

[Federal Register: November 21, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 224)]

[Notices]

[Page 67355-67356]

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

[DOCID:fr21no06-48]

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families Notice of Public Comment on the Proposed Adoption of ANA Program Policies and Procedures

AGENCY: Administration for Native Americans (ANA), HHS. SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 814 of the Native American Programs Act of 1974 (the Act) 42 U.S.C. 2992b-1, ANA herein describes its proposed interpretive rules, statements of general policy and rules of agency procedure or practice in relation to the Social and Economic Development Strategies (hereinafter referred to as SEDS), Native Language Preservation and Maintenance (hereinafter referred to as Native Language), Environmental Regulatory Enhancement (hereinafter referred to as Environmental), Environmental Mitigation (hereinafter referred to as Mitigation), Improving the Well-Being of Children-- Native American Healthy Marriage Initiative (hereinafter referred to as Healthy Marriage) programs and any Special Initiatives. Under the statute, ANA is required to provide members of the public an opportunity to comment on proposed changes in interpretive rules, statements of general policy and rules of agency procedure or practice and to give notice of the final adoption of such changes at least thirty (30) days before the changes become effective. This Notice also provides additional information about ANA's plan for administering the programs.

DATES: The deadline for receipt of comments is thirty (30) days from the date of publication in the Federal Register.

ADDRESSES: Comments in response to this Notice should be addressed to Sheila K. Cooper, Director of Program Operations, Administration for Native Americans, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW., Mail Stop: Aerospace 8- West, Washington, DC 20447. Delays may occur in mail delivery to Federal offices; therefore, a copy of comments should be faxed to (202) 690-7441. Comments will be available for inspection by members of the public at the Administration for Native Americans, Aerospace Center, 901 D Street, SW., Washington, DC 20024.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sheila K. Cooper, Director of Program Operations, toll-free at (877) 922-9262.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 814 of the Native American Programs Act of 1974, as amended, requires ANA to provide notice of its proposed interpretive rules, statements of general policy and rules of agency procedure or practice. These proposed clarifications, modifications and new text will appear in the ANA FY 2006 Program Announcements (PAs): SEDS, Native Language, Environmental, Mitigation, Healthy Marriage and Special Initiatives. This Notice serves to fulfill this requirement.

Additional Information

1. Objective Progress Report (OPR) Form

   ANA has updated the OPR form to capture grantee project information that is needed in order to make a determination that the project is progressing as planned. The quarterly report will be used to support a request for additional technical assistance, should the need exist. Quarterly reporting has been a requirement for ANA grantees since FY 2005 and the new format will yield uniform data. The new format has been submitted for Office of Management and Budget approval and will be a requirement beginning January 2007. (Legal authority: Section 803B of the Native American Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991B- 2.)

2. Native Language Preservation and Maintenance

   ANA Categories: In an effort to adhere to the Congressional intent of the legislation and to clarify the Native Language program in response to the needs of Native communities, ANA is creating a marked separation of the longstanding Category I: Assessment and Category II: Planning and/or

   [[Page 67356]]

   Implementation. ANA is proposing three distinct priority areas within the Native Language program area. The proposed categories are:

   Category I: Language Assessment will remain as a 12-month project period with the primary activity of assessing the current status of the Native Language for the identified Native community.

   Category II: Language Project Planning will have up to 24-month project period with the primary activity of planning a Native Language project for the Native community to be impacted by the project.

   Category III: Language Project Implementation will have up to a 36- month project period to support such activities consistent with legislative and regulatory requirements.

   An award in Categories II and III is not contingent upon having received previous funding from ANA for language preservation and maintenance; however, current language-assessment data and language- delivery methods will need to be provided. (Legal authority: Section 803(a) and (d) and 803C of the Native Americans Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-c.

3. Application--Project Development

   During the FY 2006 competitions, ANA participated in the electronic application submission process. Based upon this experience, ANA has analyzed the submission procedure. To eliminate future concerns with uploading attachments, ANA has determined that all applications (hard- copy and electronic) should be submitted with no more than three (3) objectives per 12-month budget period for any given competition. This limitation will still allow an applicant to convey adequately the proposed project goals, activities and results expected. (Legal authority: Section 803 (a) and (d) and 803C of the Native American Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-3.)

4. Special Initiative

   Under legislative authority, ANA can provide funding for Special Initiatives that focus on specifically identified needs within Native communities. Applicants must submit projects that are responsive to the specific competitive program area. Last year ANA offered a specific program announcement to fund projects that support healthy families titled, Improving the Well-Being of Children--Native American Healthy Marriage Initiative (NAHMI). This Special Initiative will be supported again in FY 2007. Applicants requesting funding for these types of initiatives will need to submit projects under this designated Special Initiative competitive area only. (Legal authority: Section 803 (a) and (d) and 803C of the Native American Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-3.

5. ANA Funding Restriction Policy

   In order to ensure that ANA manages proper fiscal responsibility in the dispensing of Federal funds, a list of actions and activities, which will not be considered as eligible activities for funding, is maintained. ANA has observed that projects including such contingency activities as permits, licenses, outside or internal certification, Federal or State agency approvals, or project activities that are contingent on the outcome of a court decision, do not complete projects within the approved project period. As a result of these situation, grantees often do not complete project objectives or expend approved funding. Based upon agency reviews and on-site visits, ANA will implement the following new funding restriction policy:

   ANA will not consider projects that contain contingency activities that impede or indefinitely delay the ongoing progress of the proposed project. Applicants must demonstrate the project planning considered potential contingency activities and provide adequate assurance that such activities will not impede the progress of the project. (Legal authority: Section 803 (a) and (d) and 803C of the Native American Programs Act of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2991b and 2991b-3.

   Dated: November 9, 2006. Sheila K. Cooper, Director of Program Operations, Administration for Native Americans.

   [FR Doc. 06-9281 Filed 11-21-06; 8:45 am]

   BILLING CODE 4184-01-M