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PA Bulletin, Doc. No. 03-2362

NOTICES

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

Availability of Title V Funds through Mini-Grants to Support Elimination of Barriers to Community Inclusion for Children/Youth with Special Health Care Needs

[33 Pa.B. 6118]

   The Bureau of Family Health (Bureau) is accepting mini-grant applications regarding eliminating barriers to community inclusion. Mini-grants are available to support activities that directly address physical, environmental and informational barriers allowing community organizations, businesses, places of worship and schools to be more inclusive of children with special health care needs. This pilot project is an extension of the Bureau's Building Inclusive Communities for Children/Youth with Special Health Care Needs Mini-Grant Initiative (initiative), which offers financial support for educational endeavors addressing community inclusion. Barrier Elimination Pilot Project (project) funds will be used to advance this work by financially supporting the elimination of tangible barriers to inclusion.

   For purposes of this funding opportunity, ''children with special health care needs'' are defined as those age birth to 21 years of age who have a chronic physical, developmental, behavioral or emotional condition requiring services of a type or amount beyond that required by children generally.

   The project is designed to empower communities by providing financial support for activities that either remove or significantly reduce obstacles that children and youth with special health care needs and their families confront as they seek to participate fully and productively in their communities. These include barriers to self-care, receptive/expressive communication, learning, mobility, access to service, recreation, academics, spiritual practice, volunteerism, employment and economic self-sufficiency. The ultimate goal of the project is to build social capital by assisting communities to be fully accessible and inclusive and, consequently, allow for the full integration of children with special health care needs in all aspects of community life. Project funds must be used to reimburse purchases and activities occurring prior to June 30, 2004.

   Eligible applicants are public and private organizations, foundations or community-based agencies in this Commonwealth as recognized by a Federal Tax ID number. Individuals may not apply. Applicants may include, but are not limited to, day care centers and child care providers, medical/dental providers, educational providers, youth groups, community planners, places of worship/congregations, community groups/civic clubs, enter- tainment/recreation/play providers, potential employers/businesses, professional associations/organizations and libraries.

   Applicants may apply for funding to cover multiple purchases/activities, not to exceed $3,000 cumulatively per grant period when combined with any funding awards received through the Bureau's initiative for the same grant period.

   Eligible expenses fall within the following categories: equipment, assistive technology/communication devices, site/facility improvements, environment/curriculum and technology, as described in the application materials.

   To apply for funding, a complete application must be received by the Department of Health (Department) by 4:30 p.m. on February 13, 2004. All funding decisions are contingent upon the availability of 2003 fiscal year funds and Department approval from an independent review panel. Approval will be based upon pre-established rating criteria, including:

   1.  The true need for elimination of the proposed barriers to advance the inclusion of young people with disabilities, as justified by the applicant.

   2.  The number of young people who will ultimately benefit from elimination of the barrier.

   3.  The likelihood that the activities proposed will be of on-going, systemic benefit to the community.

   4.  The reasonableness of proposed expenditures/purchases.

   Applicants will be notified in writing of award status by March 1, 2004. It is anticipated that 17 awards of $3,000 or less will be made.

   To request application materials or for additional information about this initiative, contact Candace Johndrow, Media and Outreach Public Health Program Administrator, Bureau of Family Health, Division of Community Systems Development and Outreach, P. O. Box 90, Health and Welfare Building, 7th Floor East, Harrisburg, PA 17108, (717) 783-6536, fax: (717) 772-0323, cjohndrow@ state.pa.us, V/TT: (717) 783-6154 for speech and/or hearing impaired persons or the Pennsylvania AT&T Relay Service, (800) 634-5984 (TT). Persons with a disability who require an application in alternative formats should contact Candace Johndrow.

CALVIN B. JOHNSON, M.D., M.P.H.,   
Secretary

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 03-2362. Filed for public inspection December 12, 2003, 9:00 a.m.]


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