In fiscal year 2002, 61 grantees representing 44 States, the District of Columbia and 17 city or county health departments received funding to conduct childhood lead poisoning prevention programs. CDC program staff provided technical assistance to State and local health officials and others interested in childhood lead poisoning prevention. In fiscal year 2001, emphasis was placed on carrying out lead poisoning prevention activities related to implementing statewide screening plans, emphasizing screening Medicaid-eligible children, implementing Medicaid data matching, and establishing childhood blood lead surveillance systems with the capability to report data to CDC. These programs will also utilize funds to facilitate referral of children identified with elevated blood lead levels for medical and environmental intervention, and provide education for parents and health professionals. All 61 funded programs were awarded for fiscal year 2002 to continue lead poisoning prevention activities. In fiscal year 2003, it is anticipated that 42 programs will be funded representing 36 States, the District of Columbia and 5 city or county health departments. Additional performance criteria, including an emphasis toward primary prevention interventions, will be the focus of the program in fiscal year 2003. In FY 04 it is anticipated that all funded programs will continue lead poisoning prevention activities.

Uses and Use Restrictions

Awards are to be used by State and local government agencies to develop, improve, and expand their capacity to address the problem of childhood lead poisoning in communities with demonstrated high-risk populations.

Recipients of awards are expected to: (a) write, implement and evaluate a jurisdiction-wide childhood lead poisoning elimination plan; (b) write, implement and evaluate screening plans to target resources to children at the highest risk for lead poisoning; (c) maintain a jurisdiction-wide childhood lead surveillance program, with an analysis plan for collected data, (d) conduct primary prevention activities for pregnant women and/or families with children at high risk for lead poisoning, (e) develop an assurance plan for timely and appropriate case management of children with elevated blood lead levels, (f) demonstrate strategic partnering with community organizations and with other state/local agencies involved in environmental and child health activities, (g) coordinate with organizations and agencies involved in lead-based paint hazard reduction activities and development of protective policy; and (h) evaluate programmatic impact on childhood lead poisoning within the applicant's jurisdiction.

Awards cannot supplant existing funding for childhood lead poisoning prevention programs or activities.

Grant awards may not be expended for medical care and treatment, or for environmental remediation of lead sources, however, there must be an acceptable plan to ensure that these program activities are appropriately carried out.

The surveillance component of this grant is intended to assist State health departments in implementing or enhancing a complete surveillance system to track all PbB levels in children.

This is essential for grant recipients to target interventions to high-risk populations and to track progress toward eliminating childhood lead poisoning.

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Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Assistance will be provided to State health departments or their bonafide agents and the health departments of the following five local jurisdictions (or their bonafide agents)that have the highest estimated number of children with elevated blood lead levels : New York, NY; Chicago, IL; Detroit, MI; Los Angeles County, CA, and Philadelphia, PA, or their bona fide agents.

Also eligible are health departments or other official organizational authorities of the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, Guam, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Republic of Palau, and federally recognized Indian tribal governments.

Competition is limited by authorizing legislation.

Beneficiary Eligibility

In addition to the eligible applicants, others who receive benefits from the program include infants and children from six months to six years of age who are screened for lead poisoning and family members who care for lead-poisoned children. Lead poisoning potentially affects all children, but disproportionately affects minority children and children of low-income families. Since the effects of lead poisoning can be long lasting, benefits of the program can also affect youth and adults, persons at all educational and income levels, and urban, suburban, and rural populations.

Credentials/Documentation

Applicants should document the need for assistance, state the objectives of the project, present their approach to meeting the objectives, and outline the methods of operation. Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87 for State and local governments and federally-recognized Indian Tribal Governments.

Aplication and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

Preapplication coordination is desired but not required.

This program is eligible for coverage under E.O.

12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should contact the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information.

Through this process, States are provided the opportunity to review and comment on applications for Federal financial assistance.

The due date for State process recommendations is 60 days after the application deadline date for new and competing continuation awards.

Application Procedures

Application forms are both available from and submitted to the Grants Management Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2920 Brandywine Road, Room 3000, Atlanta, GA 30341. Standard application forms, as furnished by CDC and required by 45 CFR 92 must be used for this program. This program is subject to the provisions set forth in 45 CFR 92 for State and local governments.

Award Procedures

Approved grants are funded based on a priority score ranking from an objective review process coordinated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC will give funding preference to state programs with significant estimated numbers of children with elevated blood lead levels that direct federal funds to localities with high concentrations of children at risk for childhood lead poisoning. CDC will also give funding preference to the five local jurisdictions with the highest estimated number of children with elevated blood lead levels. Awards are made based on availability of funds and other significant factors as deemed necessary and appropriate by the agency. Funds are awarded for a one-year (12 month period). A Notice of Grant Award (Form PHS 5161-1) is provided which indicates the current award as well as support recommendations for the remainder of the project period (up to three years). The Notice of Grant Award indicates allocations for Federal funds by budget categories and any special conditions, if applicable.

Deadlines

None.

Authorization

Public Health Service Act, Section 301A, 317A, and 317B, 42 U.S.C. 241a, 247b-1, 247b-3, as amended; Children's Health Act of 2000; Preventive Health Amendments of 1992, Section 303, Public Law 102-531.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

From two to three months.

Appeals

None.

Renewals

Renewal requests cannot exceed a three year project period. Priority consideration will be given to noncompeting continuation applications.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

This program has no statutory formula and no matching requirements. However, grant funds cannot supplant existing funding for childhood lead poisoning prevention programs or activities. Applicants are encouraged to identify other funding sources to support program activities.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Financial assistance is provided for a 12-month budget period (July 1 - June 30) with project periods of up to three years subject to the availability of funds and satisfactory progress of the grantee.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Quarterly progress reports are required.

Financial status reports are required no later than 90 days after he end of each specified budget period.

A final financial status report and final program report will be required no later than 90 days after the end of the project.

Continuation applications for subsequent budget year support will include a progress/performance narrative outlining accomplishments and operations for that earlier budget period and a detailed budget narrative supporting the budget request.

Audits

In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A- 133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133. In addition, these grants are subject to inspection and audits by DHHS and other Federal officials.

Records

Financial records, supporting documents, statistical records, and all other records pertinent to the project must be kept readily available for review by personnel authorized to examine PHS grant accounts. Records must be maintained for a minimum of 3 years after the end of a budget period. If questions still remain, such as those raised as a result of an audit, records must be retained until completion or resolution of any audit in process or pending resolution. Property records must be retained in accordance with PHS Grants Policy Statement requirements.

Financial Information

Account Identification

75-0943-0-1-550.

Obigations

(Grants) FY 07 $33,700,000; FY 08 $28,093,406; and FY 09 est $27,409,189.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

$75,000 to $1,700,000.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature

Regulations for this program are published under 42 CFR 51b. PHS Grants Policy Statement, DHHS Publication No. (OASH) 94-50,000, (Rev.) April l, 1994. The basic grant administration policies of DHHS and PHS are also applicable.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

Not applicable.

Headquarters Office

Program Contact: Deb Millette, Program Deputy Director, Lead Poisoning Prevention Branch, National Center for Environmental Health, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway, MS F-30, Atlanta, GA 30341. Telephone: (770) 488-7177. Email: mdm2@cdc.gov. Grants Management Contact: Ms. Mildred Garner, Grants Management Branch, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2920 Brandywine Road, Room 3000, Atlanta, GA 30341. Telephone: (770) 488-2745. Fax Number: (770) 488-2777.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Applications will be evaluated based upon the applicant's ability to identify populations and communities at high risk and the overall balance of the program's design to address the childhood lead poisoning problem. This requires the development of specific and measurable objectives and a sound operational plan that includes screening of high risk populations, medical and environmental management, lead hazard remediation, and health education and risk reduction activities to appropriately address the problem. Applications also will be evaluated on the ability of the program to carry out childhood lead poisoning prevention program activities utilizing the core public health functions as well as establishing working relations or partnerships with other agencies, organizations or groups that have interest in the prevention of childhood lead poisoning.