NOTICES
Availability of Title V Funds to Fund Breastfeeding Awareness and Support Activities Through Mini-Grants
[37 Pa.B. 1279]
[Saturday, March 17, 2007]The Bureau of Family Health in collaboration with the Bureau of Health Promotion and Risk Reduction's Nutrition and Physical Activity Program is accepting mini-grant applications for breastfeeding awareness, community outreach and peer support activities occurring between July 1, 2007, and June 30, 2009. Starting April 1, applicants will have a choice of applying for a ''single'' or a ''double'' mini-grant. A ''single'' mini-grant applies to activities occurring between July 1, 2007, and June 30, 2008. A maximum of $3,000 is available for this period. A ''double'' mini-grant applies to activities occurring between July 1, 2007, and June 30, 2009. A maximum of $6,000 is available for this 2 year period, with a maximum of $3,000 for each State fiscal year period. Funds cannot be carried over from one year to the next. ''Double'' mini-grants awardees will have the assurance of knowing that the Bureau of Family Health has planned to commit resources to its project, but, like all expenditures of Commonwealth and Federal funds, this commitment is contingent upon the appropriation and availability of those funds.
Mini-grants for up to $3,000 per 12-month period are available to support activities, events or services with the direct objective of: increasing the number of women who breastfeed for up to 1 year; increasing the number of people who consider breastfeeding acceptable and desirable; and/or increasing the number of pregnant women who select breastfeeding as their long-term infant feeding practice; and/or, decreasing the negative stereotypes associated with breastfeeding among the general public.
The public health benefits of breastfeeding have been extensively documented. Experts agree that breastfeeding is the optimal way to feed infants. Breastfeeding significantly promotes infant and maternal immediate and long-term health, decreases the frequency of doctor visits, hospitalizations and medication utilization and thereby lowers medical costs. As a result, the decision to breastfeed is of significant importance to the newborn child, the mother and the public health and healthcare system.
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. Eligible applicants include, but are not limited to: medical care facilities, medical providers, educational providers, youth groups, community organizations, employers/businesses, professional associations, local governments, social/human service agencies or schools/colleges/universities.
Funds may be used to support ongoing and/or one-time activities, events or services that promote the objectives of the program, including but not limited to: equipment, teaching tools, staff time to perform group counseling, community educational and advocacy functions, advertising, space rental for special activity and trainer expenses. Applicants may apply for funding to cover multiple purchases/activities, not to exceed $3,000 cumulatively per grant period.
Completed applications for either ''single'' or ''double'' mini-grants will be accepted any time after April 1, 2007. Applicants will be considered on a first-come-first-served basis and awards will be contingent upon the availability of funds and Department of Health (Department) approval. Copies of application forms and other background information are available on the Department's website (www.health.state.pa.us; search word: ''mini-grants'').
Applications will be scored by an independent review panel using a 10 point rating scale. The 5 rating factors are: soundness of approach (4 points), resources leveraged and partnership building (3 points), evaluation/measurement of results and degree to which the changes are determined to be potentially effective (2 points), documented need and target population selection (1 point). One bonus point will given to any applicant with documented media commitment or involvement.
Applicants will be notified of approval/disapproval in writing within 30 days of receipt of a completed application. Applicants not selected for funding will be offered one opportunity to be reconsidered after revising their application to conform to the guidelines. Awardees are expected to abide by the provisions and limitations of the Federal funding source, the Title V Maternal and Child Health Block Grant (42 U.S.C.A. § 701, et seq.).
To request application materials or for additional information related to this initiative, or for persons with a disability who require an alternative format of this notice (for example, large print, audiotape, Braille), contact Martha Kautz, Program Coordinator, Breastfeeding Awareness and Support, Bureau of Family Health, Division of Community Systems Development Outreach, Health and Welfare Building, 7th Floor East, 7th and Forster Streets, Harrisburg, PA 17120, (717) 772-2763, for speech and/or hearing impaired persons, V/TT (717) 783-6514 or the Pennsylvania AT&T Relay Services at (800) 654-5984, mkautz@state.pa.us.
CALVIN B. JOHNSON, M. D., M.P.H.,
Secretary
[Pa.B. Doc. No. 07-462. Filed for public inspection March 16, 2007, 9:00 a.m.]
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