NOTICES
Availability of Grant Funds through the State Lead Program
[44 Pa.B. 4030]
[Saturday, June 28, 2014]The Department of Health's (Department) State Lead Program (Program) is accepting applications for small grants from public post-secondary schools and 2- and 4-year public and private colleges and universities to support community-based initiatives that educate communities at-risk for lead poisoning to make them more lead safe and to provide information on other potential environmental hazards around the home.
Lead paint and the dust that results from the breakdown of the paint can lead to serious health issues, including loss of IQ, attention deficit disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, coma and even death. Homes built before 1978 are more likely to have lead paint in them and according to the 2010 Census, this Commonwealth ranks fourth in the Nation in the number of homes built before 1978. While there has been a reduction in the number of elevated blood lead levels in children 7 years of age and under in this Commonwealth, 1,817 cases were confirmed in 2012.
Grantees awarded funds through the Program must use the funds for activities and materials to improve knowledge across this Commonwealth regarding lead poisoning and remediation of lead hazards. Grantees may also use funds to provide training on other environmental home hazards in addition to lead hazards. Funded services may include, but are not limited to:
1) Providing training or education for vulnerable populations to raise awareness of lead poisoning and lead hazards around the home.
2) Strengthening infrastructure by educating and working with landlords or contractors, or both, to increase capacity to prevent illnesses and injuries associated with the home environment.
3) Developing and educating community based groups or coalitions to focus on lead poisoning and other environmental health hazards and how to reduce their risk.
4) Developing and implementing a lead teaching module for students in applicable majors within the post-secondary setting.
5) Developing partnerships with community based groups (day care centers, parent teacher organizations) to provide information and education to parents and caregivers on the dangers of lead poisoning, proper remediation and other environmental issues present in homes.
6) Developing a program for teachers and education professionals to receive continuing education credits.
Applications will be rated upon the creativity and efficacy with which the proposed services will meet the previously listed goals. Successful applicants will be awarded small grants up to $9,000 in State Fiscal Year July 1, 2014, through June 30, 2015, and up to $3,000 for the period of July 1, 2015, through September 30, 2015, for a total up to $12,000.
Purpose: The Program will provide small grants to successful applicants in an effort to decrease the incidence of preventable child illness due to the presence of lead and health hazards in housing. Applicants are encouraged to identify and provide services to populations that are most at-risk for lead poisoning or other environmentally related illness or injury. Partnerships with organizations that are working toward similar goals are strongly encouraged to support building community infrastructure to address lead poisoning, lead hazards and other environmental home hazards.
The primary focus on this initiative is on lead poisoning, prevention and remediation; however, grantees may also include supplementary activities addressing other environmental hazards around the home such as radon and mold. Applicants are encouraged to assess their communities and draw upon existing resources and services in reaching high-risk populations and reducing health disparities.
Funds: Funding for this project is contingent upon Department approval. Project funds must be used to educate community and at-risk groups on the dangers of lead poisoning and prevention methods to eliminate lead and other environmental home hazards.
Requirements: Eligible applicants include public and private institutions of higher learning located in this Commonwealth. Eligible applicant must have a Federal Tax ID number. Institutions with multiple ID numbers may submit more than one application, however only one application per institution will be awarded under this initiative. Individuals may not apply. Each grantee will attend an educational presentation from the Department within 6 months of the grant award. This presentation will provide information on lead and environmental home health hazards and will be made at the grantee's campus or business location.
To conduct business with this Commonwealth, grantees are required to have an SAP vendor identification number. Applicants who do not have an SAP vendor identification number may apply for one by contacting Central Vendor Management Unit at (877) 435-7363 or locally at (717) 346-2676 or http://www.vendorregistration.state.pa.us (click on ''Non-Procurement Vendor Site'' then ''Non-Procurement Registration Form'').
Application Deadline: It is anticipated that 15 awards up to $12,000 in total each as previously outlined will be made under this grant opportunity. To apply for funding, a complete application must be received in the Bureau of Family Health (Bureau) by Friday, July 11, 2014. Applications may be mailed to the address set forth as follows. Applications may not be faxed or e-mailed. Late applications will not be accepted regardless of the reason.
Application Process: Complete the 2014-2015 Application and the Proposed Budget. An authorized official of the organization must sign and date the application. Submit an original and three complete copies of the application (including the narrative, budget, budget narrative and any supporting attachments). Applicants can apply for one or both funding time periods mentioned previously. Applications must be page-numbered and unbound. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
Award Determination: Funding decisions are contingent upon the availability of allocated Program funds and Department approval. Applications are scored by a three-member review panel using a rating scale with the following preestablished criteria:
1. The degree of need for the proposed activity, as justified by the applicant.
2. The extent to which the activity can demonstrate a change in awareness and actions.
3. The reasonableness of the proposed expenditures/purchases.
4. The likelihood that the proposed activity will be of on-going, systemic benefit to the target population.
5. The development of partnerships.
Notification of Award: Applicants shall be notified of their award status within 4 weeks of the submission due date. This is a reimbursement only program and no funds are provided at the start of the project. This Program reimburses applicants for actual and approved costs incurred by the successful applicant and shall not exceed the approved amount.
Eligible Costs: Applicants may apply for funding reimbursement of multiple purchases or activities under the grant. However, the maximum cumulative award to any one applicant, as identified by Federal ID number, is $9,000 per State fiscal year and the terms describe previously and funds may not supplant existing funds. The grantee is the sole owner of any items purchased with grant funds. The budget section of the application must include a budget narrative detailing by line item how project funds will be used. Price quotes, estimates, catalog samples or any other proof of cost must be submitted for every purchase proposed.
Expenses eligible for reimbursement under this project include, but are not limited to:
1. Education, which includes, but is not limited to, the following: training materials, books, workbooks, brochures, posters, and translation of educational materials into different languages and for different populations.
2. Technology, which includes, but is not limited to videos, CDs and DVDs.
3. Coalition development (for example, meeting expenses (but see Ineligible Costs)).
Ineligible Costs: The following costs are not eligible for reimbursement under this Program:
1. Administrative/indirect costs (that is, costs not uniquely attributable in full to the programmatic activity).
2. New building construction or structural renovation of an existing space.
3. Capital expenses or equipment.
4. Staffing/personnel.
5. One-time consumables (that is, event tickets, food/refreshments or child care).
By applying for small grant funding, applicants acknowledge and affirm that they will abide by the previously listed spending limitations.
Summary Report and Invoice Procedures: Approved applicants shall be reimbursed with one check for all approved expenses. To receive reimbursement of approved expenses, awardees must submit an invoice and receipts to the Bureau within 30 calendar days following completion of funded activity and no later than June 1, 2015, for the first funded time period and no later than October 15, 2015, for the second funded time period.
Questions should be directed to Scott Steffen, EPA State Lead Program, Division of Community Systems Development and Outreach, (717) 772-2763, rsteffen@pa.gov.
Applications should be submitted to the Department of Health, Bureau of Family Health, Division of Community Systems Development and Outreach, State Lead Program, Health and Welfare Building, 7th Floor East Wing, 625 Forster Street, Harrisburg, PA 17120.
Only printed applications received by July 11, 2014, will be accepted. No e-mail or faxed bids will be accepted. Go to www.health.state.pa.us/lead to download the full application, attachments and forms.
Persons with a disability who require an alternative format of this document (for example, large print, audiotape, Braille) should contact Scott Steffen, Division of Community Systems Development and Outreach, 7th Floor East, Health and Welfare Building, 625 Forster Street, Harrisburg, PA 17112, (717) 772-2763, or for speech and/or hearing impaired persons V/TT (717) 783-6514, or the Pennsylvania AT&T Relay Service (800) 654-5984.
MICHAEL WOLF,
Secretary
[Pa.B. Doc. No. 14-1358. Filed for public inspection June 27, 2014, 9:00 a.m.]
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