[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 240 (Wednesday, December 13, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 77882-77883]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-31664]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Administration for Children and Families
[Program Announcement No. ACF/ACYF/HS FY 2000-04]
Early Head Start Longitudinal Research Partnerships: Availability
of Funds and Request for Applications
AGENCY: Administration on Children, Youth and Families, ACF, DHHS.
ACTION: Notice.
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Statutory Authority: The Head Start Act, as amended 42 U.S.C.
9801 et seq.) CFDA: 93.600.
SUMMARY: The Administration for Children and Families (ACF),
Administration on Children, Youth and Families (ACYF) announces the
availability of funds for universities, in partnership with the
original 17 Early Head Start Research sites, to conduct the local and
cross-site longitudinal research until entry into kindergarten on
children and families who were participants in the original National
Early Head Start Research Study.
DATES: The closing date for receipt of applications is 5:00 P.M. EDT
January 29, 2001.
Note: Applications should be submitted to the ACYF Operations
Center at 1815 N. Fort Myer Drive, Suite 300, Arlington, Virginia
22209. However, prior to preparing and submitting an application, in
order to satisfactorily compete under this announcement it will be
necessary for potential applicants to read the full announcement
which is available through the addresses listed below.
ADDRESSES: The full announcement and applications, including all
necessary forms can be downloaded from the Head Start web site at
www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/hsb. The web site also contains a listing of
the 17 Early Head Start programs that were part of the original study.
Hard copies of the application may be obtained by writing or calling
the Operations Center or sending an email to [email protected]
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: ACYF Operations Center at: 1815 N.
Fort Myer Drive, Suite 300, Arlington, Virginia 22209 or (1-800) 351-
2293.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Eligible Applicants: Universities and four-year colleges on behalf
of a faculty member who holds a doctorate degree or equivalent in their
respective field and have formed partnerships with an original Early
Head Start Research site.
Project Duration: The announcement for Early Head Start
Longitudinal Research is soliciting applications for project periods of
four years. Awards, on a competitive basis, will be for the first one-
year budget period. Applications for continuation grants funded under
these awards beyond the one-year budget period, but within the
established project period, will be entertained in subsequent years on
a non-competitive basis, subject to availability of funds, satisfactory
progress of the grantee and a determination that continued funding
would be in the best interest of the Government. An additional
competitive grant for one year may be considered for recipients of
grants under this announcement if it is deemed necessary for the
completion of the data analysis and report writing.
Federal Share of Project Costs: The maximum Federal share is
$190,000 per Early Head Start research site for the first 12-month
budget period based on the number of children to be tracked
[[Page 77883]]
and tested and their distance from the original site. The Federal share
for subsequent years shall be up to $200,000 per year per Early Head
Start research site for each year of the project period depending on
the number of children still to be tracked and tested and the analysis
and report writing to be completed. The Federal share is inclusive of
indirect costs.
Matching Requirements: There are no matching requirements.
Anticipated Number of Projects To Be Funded: It is anticipated that
a maximum of 17 projects will be funded.
Criteria
Reviewers will consider the following factors when assigning
points.
1. Results or Benefits Expected--25 points
The research questions are clearly stated.
The extent to which the questions are of importance and
relevance for low-income children's development and welfare.
The extent to which the research study makes a significant
contribution to the knowledge base.
The extent to which the literature review is current and
comprehensive and supports the need for the study, the questions to be
addressed or the hypotheses to be tested.
The extent to which the questions that will be addressed
or the hypotheses that will be tested are sufficient for meeting the
stated objectives.
The extent to which the results build on the results of
the first study.
2. Approach--40 points
The extent to which the research design is appropriate and
sufficient for addressing the questions of the study.
The extent to which child outcomes are the major focus of
the study.
The extent to which the planned research specifies the
measures to be used and the analyses to be conducted.
The extent to which the planned measures are appropriate
and sufficient for the questions of the study.
The extent to which the planned measures and analysis
incorporate the measures and analyses completed under the original
study.
The extent to which the planned measures and analyses both
reflect knowledge and use of state-of-the-art measures and analytic
techniques and advance the state-of-the-art.
The extent to which the analytic techniques are
appropriate for the question under consideration.
The extent to which the proposed sample size is sufficient
for the study.
The scope of the project is reasonable for the funds
available for these grants.
The extent to which the planned approach reflects
sufficient input from and partnership with the Early Head Start
program.
3. Staff and Position Data--35 points
The extent to which the principal investigator and other
key research staff possess the research expertise necessary to conduct
the study as demonstrated in the application and information contained
in their vitae.
The principal investigator(s) has earned a doctorate or
equivalent in the relevant field and has first or second author
publications in major research journals.
The extent to which the proposed staff reflect an
understanding of and sensitivity to the issues of working in a
community setting and in partnership with Early Head Start program
staff and parents.
The adequacy of the time devoted to this project by the
principal investigator and other key staff in order to ensure a high
level of professional input and attention.
Required Notification of the Single Point of Contact
This program is covered under Executive Order 12372,
Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs, and 45 CFR part 100,
Intergovernmental Review of Department of Health and Human Services
Program and Activities. Under the Order, States may design their own
processes for reviewing and commenting on proposed Federal assistance
under covered programs.
All States and Territories except Alabama, Alaska, Colorado,
Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts,
Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma,
Oregon, Palau, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont,
Virginia, Washington, and American Samoa have elected to participate in
the Executive Order process and have established Single Points of
Contact (SPOCs). Applicants from these twenty-three jurisdictions need
take no action regarding E.O. 12372. Applicants for projects to be
administered by Federally-recognized Indian Tribes are also exempt from
the requirements of E.O. 12372. Otherwise, applicants should contact
their SPOCs as soon as possible to alert them of the prospective
applications and receive any necessary instructions. Applicants must
submit any required material to the SPOCs as soon as possible so that
the program office can obtain and review SPOC comments as part of the
award process. It is imperative that the applicant submit all required
materials, if any, to the SPOC and indicate the date of this submittal
(or the date of contact if no submittal is required) on the Standard
Form 424, item 16a.
Under 45 CFR 100.8(a)(2), a SPOC has 60 days from the application
deadline to comment on proposed new or competing continuation awards.
SPOCs are encouraged to eliminate the submission of routine
endorsements as official recommendations.
Additionally, SPOCs are requested to clearly differentiate between
mere advisory comments and those official State process recommendations
which may trigger the accommodate or explain rule.
When comments are submitted directly to ACF, they should be
addressed to: William Wilson, Head Start Bureau, 330 C Street SW.,
Washington, DC 20447, Attn: Head-Start University Partnerships or
Graduate Student Head Start Research. A list of the Single Points of
Contact for each State and Territory can be found on the web site
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html.
Dated: December 6, 2000.
James A. Harrell,
Acting Commissioner, Administration on Children, Youth and Families.
[FR Doc. 00-31664 Filed 12-12-00; 8:45 am]
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