Fifty-four State projects and one national technical assistance project were awarded in fiscal year 2007. In 2007, 93% of infants born in the U. S. were screened for hearing loss prior to hospital discharge. While timely follow-up has improved slightly, obstacles remain. It is anticipated that 49 State projects and the technical assistance project will be funded in fiscal year 2008, and two new State/territory awards are expected. The technical resource cooperative agreement also receives support.

Uses and Use Restrictions

This program supports state programs for reducing the loss to follow-up of infants who have not passed a physiologic newborn hearing screening examination prior to discharge from the newborn nursery.

Although more than 95% of newborns are screened for hearing loss in the first few days of life, nationally about 20-40% of infants for whom further assessment is indicated do not return for follow-up.

This funding opportunity is to initiate new activities to significantly reduce this loss to follow-up.

Applicants should have a relationship with both the Title V programs and the Early Intervention programs.

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Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Grants to States and one grant to an organization that will provide technical assistance to the States.

Beneficiary Eligibility

State organizations will benefit.

Credentials/Documentation

Applicants should review the individual HRSA Guidance documents issued under this CFDA program for any required proof or certifications which must be submitted prior to or simultaneous with submission of an application package.

Aplication and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

This program is eligible for coverage under E.O.

12372, Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.

An applicant should consult the office of the official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.

Application Procedures

Grant applications and required forms for this program can be obtained from Grants.gov. Please visit the Grants.gov Web site at www.grants.gov to both find and apply for all Federal grant opportunities. All qualified applications will be forwarded to an objective review committee which will make funding recommendations to the Associate Administrator for the Bureau of Maternal and Child Health. The Associate Administrator has the authority to make final selections for awards.

Award Procedures

Applications are reviewed by a committee of experts that are generally nongovernmental. Applications are reviewed based on merit and are ranked according to a point score. Final decisions are made by the Associate Administrator, Maternal and Child Health Bureau.

Deadlines

www.hrsa.gov .

Authorization

Section 399M of the Public Health Service Act.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Final decisions are made 2 to 3 months after receipt of applications.

Appeals

Not applicable.

Renewals

Project periods for are for 3-5 years. The submission of a progress report and budgetary information will be requested for each continuation year.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

None.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Awards are made annually, in accordance with the project period method of awarding grants. Payments are made through a Letter-of-Credit or Cash Demand System.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Annual program reports, financial status reports, program service reports, and special reports must be submitted as required.

Audits

In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit 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.

Records

All records must be maintained until expiration of 3 years from the date of submission of the final expenditure report. If questions remain following the 3-uear period, such as those raised as a result of an audit or an on-going enforcement action, recipients must retain records until the matter is completely resolved.

Financial Information

Account Identification

75-0350-0-1-550.

Obigations

(Grants) FY 07 est 8,453,000; FY 08 est $8,472,682; and FY 09 $0.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

$99,404 to $900,000; $156,544.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature

This program is subject to the provisions of 45 CFR Part 92 for State, local and tribal governments and 45 CFR Part 74 for institutions of higher education, hospitals, other nonprofit organizations and commercial organizations, as applicable.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

Irene Forsman, Integrated Services Branch, Division of Services for Children with Special Health Needs, Maternal and Child Health Bureau, Health Resources and Services Administration, Department of Health and Human Services, Room 18A-18, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857. Telephone: (301) 443-9023.

Headquarters Office

Grants Management Office: Rick Goodman, Director, Division of Grants Management Operations, Health Resources and Services Administration, Department of Health and Human Services, 5600 Fishers Lane, Room 11A-16. Health Services Branch: 301-443-2385; Research and Training Branch; Telephone: (301) 443-3099; Government and Special Focus Branch; Telephone: (301) 443-3288.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

The objective review of all applications includes thorough and consistent examinations of each submission by persons knowledgeable in the field for that support is requested and has no direct relationship with the organization or individual submitting the application and do not have personal or invested interest in the award of a grant to that organization or individual. Peer review is a system that uses reviewers that are the professional equals of the principal investigator or program director and will be responsible for directing or conducting the proposed project. That is a form of objective review. Reviewers may be Federal or nonfederal. Final review criteria are included in the application kit.