Announcement of Availability of Funds for One Family Planning Clinical Training Cooperative Agreement, 31898-31906 [E6-8458]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 105 (Thursday, June 1, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31898-31906]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-8458]



[[Page 31897]]

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Part IV





Department of Health and Human Services





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Announcement of Availability of Funds for One Family Planning Clinical 
Training Cooperative Agreement; Notice

Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 105 / Thursday, June 1, 2006 / 
Notices

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES


Announcement of Availability of Funds for One Family Planning 
Clinical Training Cooperative Agreement

AGENCY: Office of Population Affairs, Office of Public Health and 
Science, Office of the Secretary, HHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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    Announcement Type: Initial Competitive Grant.
    CFDA Number: 93.260.

DATES: To receive consideration, applications must be received by the 
Office of Public Health and Science (OPHS) Office of Grants Management 
no later than July 31, 2006. Applications will be considered as meeting 
the deadline if they are received by the OPHS Office of Grants 
Management no later than 5 p.m. Eastern time on the application due 
date. Applications will not be accepted by fax, nor will the submission 
deadline be extended. The application due date requirement specified in 
this announcement supercedes the instructions in the OPHS-1. 
Applications which do not meet the deadline will be returned to the 
applicant unread. See heading ``IV. Application and Submission 
Information'' for additional information. Executive Order 12372 comment 
due date: The State Single Point of Contact (SPOC) has 60 days from the 
due date to submit any comments.
SUMMARY: This announcement seeks applications from public and nonprofit 
private entities for one cooperative agreement grant to establish and 
operate one family planning clinical training project to serve Title X 
service delivery projects nationally. The project will include two 
components: (1) Training of clinical preceptors to work in Title X 
family planning service projects; and (2) conducting a national 
clinical training meeting every other year of the project. In close 
collaboration with the Office of Family Planning (OFP) project officer, 
the successful applicant will be responsible for the development and 
overall management of all components of the clinical training program. 
The successful applicant should anticipate substantial involvement of 
the OFP project officer in the conduct of this cooperative agreement.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    The Office of Family Planning (OFP)/Office of Population Affairs 
(OPA) announces the availability of approximately $500,000-$800,000, 
inclusive of indirect costs, in Fiscal Year (FY) 2006 funds to support 
one Family Planning Clinical Training cooperative agreement grant 
project. This project will have two major components:
    (1) Develop, implement, and evaluate training of health care 
practitioners (defined as an advanced practice nurse (nurse 
practitioner or certified nurse midwife), physician's assistant, Doctor 
of Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathy who is recognized by a state to 
practice within the scope of the applicable state practice act or law) 
to act in the role of clinical preceptor in Title X family planning 
service projects. The role of the clinical preceptor is to provide 
education, mentoring, skills assessment, and monitoring of family 
planning clinical providers. The preceptor will ensure that health care 
practitioners providing direct, hands-on clinical family planning 
services have the most current knowledge, skills, and attitudes 
necessary for the effective delivery of high quality family planning 
services.
    (2) National clinical training meeting--every other year of the 
project period, the successful applicant will conduct a clinical 
training meeting that will provide participants with current, evidence-
based information on family planning and related preventive health 
issues, including new or emerging national standards of care, pertinent 
clinical topics, clinical education and counseling issues and 
techniques, and other topics related to family planning.
    The award will be made to an organization or agency that has met 
all applicable requirements and demonstrates the capability to provide 
the proposed services.

Background

    From the early 1970s until the year 2000, the OFP funded 
certificate family planning/women's health nurse practitioner training 
programs to ensure the availability of health care practitioners with 
expertise in family planning to work in Title X-funded clinics. In 
2004, the ratio of advanced practice nurses and physician assistants to 
physicians working in Title X clinics was five to one, and more than 80 
percent of clinical family planning services was provided by these mid-
level providers. During the late 1990s, changes in both state practice 
requirements for nurse practitioners and in the health care system, as 
well as other provider and client population issues, prompted OFP to 
reassess the need for the certificate nurse practitioner training 
programs.
    Beginning in fiscal year 2000, the five full-course certificate 
nurse practitioner programs were phased out, and replaced with two 
``clinical specialty'' training programs. The clinical specialty 
training approach was developed as a means to ensure that health care 
practitioners had the hands-on knowledge and skills to provide 
effective, high quality family planning services in Title X provider 
agencies. From 1999 through 2005, the OFP supported two clinical 
specialty training centers--one serving Public Health Service (PHS) 
Regions I-V, and one serving PHS Regions VI-X. Content and approach of 
the two clinical specialty training projects varied, as did utilization 
patterns.
    In 2004, the OFP undertook a project to reassess the effectiveness 
of the clinical specialty training programs, as well as current and 
future needs for clinical training for health care practitioners 
working in Title X family planning services projects. An objective, in 
depth review of relevant information, including historical utilization 
of Title X clinical specialty training; trends in methods and content 
of clinical training; sources of clinical training available; and 
relevance to family planning and the needs of health care practitioners 
and providers, was conducted. As part of this process, a key informant 
work group, made up of health care practitioners, educators, Title X 
service providers, medical directors, and other stakeholders, was 
convened. The results were analyzed, and a final report was provided. 
The executive summary of this report is available on the OPA Web site, 
https://opa.osophs.dhhs.gov and in the application kit for this 
announcement.
    One finding of this assessment was that health care practitioners 
need more hands-on clinical support and training than is currently 
available through either the clinical specialty training programs or 
other training opportunities. In addition, health care practitioners 
find it difficult to be absent from clinics to seek formal training. 
Based on these findings and other relevant information, the OFP has 
determined an approach for future clinical training that will better 
meet the needs of health care practitioners and provider agencies. This 
notice provides information for applicants seeking funding for one 
family planning clinical training cooperative agreement to serve Title 
X-funded service providers throughout the country.

Program Statute, Regulations, Guidelines, Legislative Mandates, and 
Program Priorities

    Applicants should use the Title X legislation, regulations, 
legislative mandates, and other information included in this 
announcement, and in

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the application kit, to guide them in developing their applications.
    Statute: Title X of the PHS Act, 42 U.S.C. 300 et seq., authorizes 
grants for projects to provide family planning services to persons from 
low-income families and others. Section 1001 of the Act, as amended, 
authorizes grants ``to assist in the establishment and operation of 
voluntary family planning projects which shall offer a broad range of 
acceptable and effective family planning methods and services 
(including natural family planning methods, infertility services, and 
services for adolescents).'' The broad range of services should include 
abstinence education. Section 1003 of the Act, as amended, authorizes 
the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to entities 
to provide training for personnel to carry out family planning services 
programs. Section 1008 of the Act, as amended, stipulates that ``none 
of the funds appropriated under this title shall be used in programs 
where abortion is a method of family planning.''
    Regulations and Program Guidelines: The regulations set out at 42 
CFR part 59, subpart C, govern grants to provide training for family 
planning service providers. Prospective applicants should refer to the 
regulations in their entirety. Training provided must be consistent 
with the requirements for providing family planning services under 
Title X. These requirements can be found in the Title X statute, the 
implementing regulations (42 CFR part 59, subpart A), and the ``Program 
Guidelines for Project Grants for Family Planning Services'' (Program 
Guidelines) (January 2001). In addition, any training regarding 
sterilization of clients as part of the Title X program should be 
consistent with 42 CFR part 50, subpart B (``Sterilization of Persons 
in Federally Assisted Family Planning Projects''). Copies of the Title 
X statute, applicable regulations, and Program Guidelines can be 
obtained by contacting the OPHS Office of Grants Management, or may be 
downloaded from the Office of Population Affairs (OPA) web site at 
https://opa.osophs.dhhs.gov, and are provided in the application kit for 
this announcement.
    Legislative Mandates: The following legislative mandates have been 
part of the Title X appropriations language for each of the last 
several years. In developing a proposal, the applicant should consider 
how these legislative mandates apply to clinical training, and 
incorporate them as appropriate. Training content for clinical 
preceptors should include methods for assessing knowledge and skills of 
health care practitioners related to the requirements of the 
legislative mandates, and of providing training/technical assistance to 
ensure that health care practitioners have the ability to appropriately 
address the issues included.
     ``None of the funds appropriated in this Act may be made 
available to any entity under title X of the Public Health Service Act 
unless the applicant for the award certifies to the Secretary that it 
encourages family participation in the decision of minors to seek 
family planning services and that it provides counseling to minors on 
how to resist attempts to coerce minors into engaging in sexual 
activities;'' and
     ``Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no provider 
of services under title X of the Public Health Service Act shall be 
exempt from any State law requiring notification or the reporting of 
child abuse, child molestation, sexual abuse, rape, or incest.''
    Program Priorities: Each year the OFP establishes program 
priorities that represent overarching goals for the Title X program. 
Applications should be developed that include content included in the 
2006 Title X program priorities as it relates to clinical training, and 
should provide evidence of the project's capacity to address future 
program priorities, as they evolve, into clinical training activities. 
The program priorities are as follows:
    1. Assuring ongoing high quality family planning and related 
preventive health services that will improve the overall health of 
individuals;
    2. Assuring access to a broad range of acceptable and effective 
family planning methods and related preventive health services that 
include natural family planning methods, infertility services, and 
services for adolescents; highly effective contraceptive methods; 
breast and cervical cancer screening and prevention that corresponds 
with nationally recognized standards of care; STD and HIV prevention 
education, counseling, and testing; extramarital abstinence education 
and counseling; and other preventive health services. The broad range 
of services does not include abortion as a method of family planning;
    3. Encouraging participation of families, parents, and/or other 
adults acting in the role of parents in the decision of minors to seek 
family planning services, including activities that promote positive 
family relationships;
    4. Improving the health of individuals and communities by 
partnering with community-based organizations (CBOs), faith-based 
organizations (FBOs), and other public health providers that work with 
vulnerable or at-risk populations;
    5. Promoting individual and community health by emphasizing family 
planning and related preventive health services for hard-to-reach 
populations, such as uninsured or under-insured individuals, males, 
persons with limited English proficiency, adolescents, and other 
vulnerable or at-risk populations.

II. Award Information

    OPA/OFP anticipates awarding one general training cooperative 
agreement grant in the amount of $500,000-$800,000 in FY 2006 funds, 
inclusive of indirect costs, to assist in the establishment and 
operation of one family planning clinical training project. The 
successful applicant should anticipate substantial involvement of the 
OFP project officer in the conduct of this cooperative agreement. The 
cooperative agreement will be funded in annual increments (budget 
periods), and may be approved for a project period of up to four years. 
Funding for all budget periods beyond the first year of the cooperative 
agreement is contingent upon the availability of funds, satisfactory 
progress of the project, and adequate stewardship of Federal funds.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: Any public or nonprofit private entity 
located in a State (which includes one of the 50 United States, the 
District of Columbia, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, 
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, Guam, 
Republic of Palau, Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of 
the Marshall Islands) is eligible to apply for a cooperative agreement 
under this announcement. Faith-based organizations are eligible to 
apply for this Title X family planning clinical training cooperative 
agreement. Nonprofit private entities must provide proof of nonprofit 
status. See Section IV.2 for information regarding proof of nonprofit 
status.
    2. Cost Sharing: None.

IV. Application and Submission Information

    1. Address to Request Application Package: Application kits may be 
requested from, and applications submitted to: OPHS Office of Grants 
Management (OGM), 1101 Wootton Parkway, Suite 550, Rockville, MD 20852; 
240-453-8822. Application kits are also available online through the 
OPHS electronic grants management Web site at https://

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egrants.osophs.dhhs.gov, or the government-wide grants system, 
Grants.gov at https://www.grants.gov. Application requests may be 
submitted to OGM by fax at 240-453-8823. Instructions for use of the 
eGrants system can be found on the OPA Web site at https://
opa.osophs.dhhs.gov or requested from the OPHS Office of Grants 
Management.
    2. Content and Form of Application Submission: Applications must be 
submitted on the Form OPHS-1 and in the manner prescribed in the 
application kit. The application narrative should be limited to 75 
double-spaced pages using an easily readable serif typeface such as 
Times Roman, Courier, or GC Times, 12 point font. The page limit does 
not include budget; budget justification; required forms, assurances, 
and certifications as part of the OPHS-1, ``Grant Application''; or 
appendices. All pages, charts, figures and tables should be numbered, 
and a table of contents provided. The application narrative should be 
numbered separately and clearly show the 75 page limit. If the 
application narrative exceeds 75 pages, only the first 75 pages of the 
application narrative will be reviewed. Appendices may provide 
curriculum vitae, organizational structure, examples of organizational 
capabilities, or other supplemental information which supports the 
application. However, appendices are for supportive information only. 
All information that is critical to the proposed project should be 
included in the body of the application. Appendices should be clearly 
labeled. A checklist of all required elements is included as part of 
the application kit.
    For all non-governmental applicants, documentation of non-profit 
status must be submitted as part of the application. Any of the 
following constitutes acceptable proof of such status:
    a. A reference to the Applicant organization's listing the Internal 
Revenue Service's (IRS) most recent list of tax-exempt organizations 
described in the IRS code;
    b. A copy of a currently valid IRS tax exemption certificate;
    c. A statement from a State taxing body, State attorney general, or 
other appropriate State official certifying that the applicant 
organization has a non-profit status and that none of the net earnings 
accrue to any private shareholders or individuals;
    d. A certified copy of the organization's certificate of 
incorporation or similar document that clearly establishes non-profit 
status;
    For local, nonprofit affiliates of State or national organizations, 
a statement signed by the parent organization indicating that the 
applicant organization is a local nonprofit affiliate must be provided 
in addition to any one of the above acceptable proof of nonprofit 
status.
    A Dun and Bradstreet Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number is 
required for all applications for Federal assistance. Organizations 
should verify that they have a DUNS number or take the steps needed to 
obtain one. Instructions for obtaining a DUNS number are included in 
the application package, or can be downloaded from the OPA Web site.
    Applications must include a one-page abstract of the proposed 
project. The abstract will be used to provide reviewers with an 
overview of the application, and will form the basis for the 
application summary in grants management documents.

Application Requirements and Content

    General requirements--Applicants must provide evidence of 
familiarity with, and ability to provide training on, the following: 
(1) Family planning and related preventive health issues as indicated 
in the Program Priorities; (2) a process for objectively assessing the 
knowledge and skills of health care practitioners; (3) the clinical 
preceptor role; (4) current, recognized national standards of care 
related to family planning, reproductive health, and general preventive 
health measures; (5) strategies related to identifying, reporting, and 
providing appropriate referral for domestic and intimate partner 
violence, child abuse, child molestation, sexual abuse, rape, or incest 
as required by State laws; (6) methods to encourage parental 
participation in healthcare and reproductive decision-making of 
adolescents; (7) resistance skills for adolescents to avoid 
exploitation and/or sexual coercion; (8) strategies for developing 
collaborations, referral resources, and linkages with health and social 
service providers within a community; and (9) couples services that 
support stable, safe, and faithful committed marriages and 
relationships, with the goal of promoting the effective use of family 
planning methods and services.
    Organizational Capacity--In addition, the successful applicant will 
demonstrate the following: (1) Significant experience in the design, 
development, implementation, successful completion, and evaluation of 
clinical training activities; (2) the ability to ensure that 
information is current, medically accurate, and consistent with 
nationally recognized standards of care; (3) the ability to translate 
evidence-based information into training activities; (4) the ability to 
manage complex clinical training on a national level; (5) the ability 
to successfully plan and conduct large, national meetings; and (6) 
knowledge of evidence-based learning theory and adult learning 
behavior, and the applicability to proposed training activities.
    The design of the training program components, including all 
curricula, materials, and topic content, must be consistent with Title 
X statute, regulations, legislative mandates, program guidelines, and 
program priorities. Planning for the preceptor training course should 
include determining the mechanisms necessary to evaluate knowledge and 
skills of potential preceptors related to the requirements of this 
announcement, as well as techniques for ensuring that needs identified 
are incorporated in the preceptor training course.
    The applicant should propose an approach to ensure that preceptor 
training is appropriate for various levels of professional preparation, 
e.g., physicians, advanced practice nurses, and physician assistants. 
In addition, the applicant should describe how professional licensure 
and insurance issues for preceptor training program participants will 
be addressed.
    It is expected that the applicant will provide detailed information 
regarding organizational capacity and expertise of proposed faculty and 
staff. Applicants should propose a staffing pattern with sufficient 
detail for reviewers to assess adequacy related to the proposed work 
plan and expertise required to carry out the project.
    The proposed budget should be consistent with the requirements of 
the family planning clinical training cooperative agreement, and 
proposed project activities should be tied directly to budgeted costs. 
Both the final project plan and plan for utilization of funds will be 
negotiated with the OFP project officer within 90 days of cooperative 
agreement award.
    Component requirements: Applicants should be specific in describing 
their approach to the requirements under each of the following 
components:

Component I: Develop, Implement, and Evaluate a Clinical Preceptor 
Training

Program Requirements
    It is expected that the successful applicant will develop a 
clinical preceptor training course for

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experienced health care practitioners to prepare them to serve in the 
role of clinical preceptor in Title X service delivery sites. Clinical 
preceptor trainees will be recruited from Title X service delivery 
sites, and will return to the site in the preceptor role. Health care 
practitioners trained as clinical preceptors are expected to utilize 
knowledge and skills gained to ensure that health care practitioners 
providing direct service in Title X-funded clinics have the knowledge, 
skills, and attitudes to provide effective, high quality family 
planning clinical services. Experienced, skilled health care 
practitioners will be identified jointly by local Title X service 
delivery sites and the training program as potential clinical 
preceptors.
    It is anticipated that one course, with a standard curriculum, will 
be developed, and will include a process for verifying the knowledge 
and skill level of proposed participants related to the topics 
identified under General Requirements upon beginning and after 
completion of the course.
    In addition to health care practitioners who do not have previous 
experience as clinical preceptors or clinical educators, it is 
anticipated that there will be health care practitioners working in 
Title X service provider agencies who already have such experience. The 
applicant should propose a process for validating knowledge and skills 
of experienced clinical preceptors or clinical educators as they relate 
to the requirements listed under General Requirements.
    The applicant should develop the program work plan based on 
providing at least one preceptor training course in year one. Plans for 
future years will be negotiated during year one. The work plan for year 
one should propose an application process, criteria for selecting 
participants, number of health care practitioners to be trained, 
outline of proposed course curriculum, and location for training.
    It is anticipated that the preceptor training course will occur on-
site at a location or locations with access to clinical training 
facilities. Direct observation and assessment of preceptor students is 
required. Although it is possible that trainees will have reading 
assignments prior to attending the course, or that there may be 
ancillary uses for on-line learning, it is expected that most aspects 
of the preceptor training course will be provided at the selected 
location(s).
    The successful applicant is also expected to devise a strategy for 
ongoing assessment and refresher training for trained and/or 
experienced preceptors. It is anticipated that this will include site 
visits to trained preceptors at least every two years, as well as a 
refresher training course every other year, beginning in the third year 
of the project.
    Applicants are expected to propose a strategy for all aspects of 
the clinical preceptor training component. However, the final work plan 
for year one and training strategies will not be finalized until after 
funding. The successful applicant will work closely with the OFP 
project officer to determine the time line, number of preceptor 
training courses, length of courses, recruitment strategies, class 
sizes, and final plans for clinical preceptor training. In addition to 
finalizing the clinical preceptor course, final plans for the clinical 
preceptor refresher course (to be held every other year), as well as 
plans for preceptor training in subsequent years, will be negotiated 
with the OFP project officer. It is expected that an assessment of the 
training needs of clinical preceptors will be included in the planning 
process for the refresher course. All aspects of the preceptor course 
and the preceptor refresher course, including faculty, must be approved 
by the OFP project officer prior to implementation. Applicants should 
clearly describe the proposed approach to the following aspects of the 
preceptor training component:

A. Develop a Strategy for Training Clinical Preceptors
    1. Identify core knowledge and skills for clinical family planning 
preceptors;
    2. Develop structured, clinical preceptor training course, 
including:
    a. Proposed didactic and clinical content
    (1) Clinical knowledge and skills,
    (2) Preceptor role, peer assessment, technical assistance/training 
techniques, and
    (3) Other topics identified in General Requirements;
    b. Methodology to ensure that course content is current, evidence-
based, and updated on an ongoing basis;
    c. Number/frequency/length/location(s) of preceptor training;
    d. Number of preceptor students to be trained (total per year and 
per class).
    3. Determine recruitment strategy with OFP Central and Regional 
Offices, and Title X service grantees (It is expected that recruitment 
visits will be made to half of the regions each year. This will be 
negotiated with the OFP project officer and OFP Regional Office program 
staff);
    4. Develop selection criteria for potential preceptor trainees, 
including:
    a. Health care practitioner,
    b. Experience delivering family planning services in Title X-funded 
sites,
    c. Academic preparation/experience,
    d. Commitment from the sponsoring Title X-funded entity that the 
trainee will be utilized in the preceptor role upon return,
    e. Commitment of medical director or other physician to act as 
resource person for clinical questions at local clinic site(s),
    f. Other as proposed by applicant;
    5. Develop/coordinate preceptor trainee commitment agreement to 
work as a preceptor following training;
    6. Identify/resolve health care practitioner licensure and 
insurance issues around clinical training at selected training site(s);
    7. Develop a process to verify clinical knowledge and skills of 
preceptor trainees before and after training;
    8. Develop a process to assess/verify knowledge and skills of those 
experienced in the role of clinical preceptor or with experience as a 
health care practitioner clinical educator;
    9. Make arrangements for clinical training site(s) for preceptor 
training;
    10. Provide for continuing education credits for preceptor trainees 
(based on continuing education credit requirements for advanced 
practice nurses, physician assistants, and physicians).

B. Provide for Preceptor Training
    1. Make arrangements/provide for all aspects of preceptor training 
(classroom, curriculum; materials, faculty, clinical sites, etc.);
    2. Make arrangements/provide for lodging for preceptor trainees 
(transportation and per diem will be paid by sponsoring agency; 
however, it is expected that the family planning clinical training 
program will set aside funds to assist in defraying lodging expenses 
for preceptor trainees).
C. Develop Ongoing Assessment and Clinical Preceptor Update Process
    1. Make site visits to trained preceptors at preceptors' local work 
site(s) every other year. Site visits will include observation of 
clinical practice and preceptor activities; documentation of number of 
clinicians precepted and nature of assessment/training/technical

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assistance provided by preceptor; on-site technical assistance as 
appropriate; issues identification; discussion with Title X clinic/
project manager; other as appropriate;
    2. Identify/develop clinical refresher/quality assessment course, 
including updates on methods of objective assessment, clinical 
training/technical assistance, and mentoring.
    a. Content--evidence-based, current information related to family 
planning, related preventive health issues and standards, topics 
related to the legislative mandates, and other issues and topics as 
identified during course of the project;
    b. Length/location(s);
    c. Explore feasibility of using electronic technologies for 
providing refresher training;
    d. Arrange for and assist with costs of lodging for trained 
preceptor participants.
D. Evaluate Training--Preceptor Training and Preceptor Refresher 
Training
    1. Process
    a. Planning
    b. Implementation
    c. Participation/utilization
    d. Output
    2. Impact, including improved ability of health care practitioners 
to provide quality family planning services, and other as identified by 
applicant and OFP project officer.

II. Conduct National Clinical Training Meeting

    Beginning in year two of the project period, it is expected that 
the successful applicant will plan and conduct a national clinical 
training meeting for up to 300 participants that provides current, 
relevant, evidence-based information on clinical topics related to 
family planning and related reproductive and preventive health issues 
for men and women for the purpose of maintaining and improving the 
quality of family planning services in Title X projects. Planning for 
this meeting will begin during the first year of the project period.
    The primary participants at this meeting will be health care 
practitioners and registered professional nurses working in Title X-
funded family planning programs. Others may participate as space 
allows. It is expected that persons working in Title X-funded agencies 
will attend at nominal or no charge, and that non-Title X participants 
will be charged an appropriate registration fee. Continuing education 
credits, appropriate to the educational preparation of health care 
practitioners and registered professional nurses, should be provided. 
The successful applicant will be responsible for all costs associated 
with planning and conducting the meeting. This does not include 
personal participant expenses such as travel, lodging, or per diem.
    In close collaboration with the OFP project officer, the successful 
applicant will be responsible for all aspects of planning, producing, 
and evaluating the national clinical training meeting. All aspects of 
the meeting, including, but not limited to, agenda, speakers, and 
meeting location, will be approved by the OFP project officer prior to 
implementation. At a minimum, the successful applicant will be 
responsible for the following, and should address each in the project 
proposal:

A. Plan Meeting
    1. Develop meeting budget;
    2. Planning committee;
    3. Meeting logistics (hotel, location, set-up, all meeting 
arrangements, etc. Hotel room cost should not exceed most current 
Federal lodging rates);
    4. Arrange for/communicate with speakers/moderators, including 
travel (all travel/per diem should not exceed Federal government rates; 
cost per speaker should not exceed $2,000 for travel expenses and 
consultant fees);
    5. Prepare for AV needs;
    6. Develop invitation list of Title X grantee and sub-grantee 
agencies, and others
    7. Design and disseminate meeting information/registration/etc. 
(including save the date announcements);
    8. Coordinate agenda development;
    9. Produce meeting materials (signage, packets, notebooks, name 
tags, etc.);
    10. Any other activities/responsibilities for planning the meeting, 
working with collaborators and speakers, and disseminating meeting 
information.

B. Manage Meeting On-site
    1. Assess set-up/modify as needed (including AV);
    2. Coordinate with hotel/meeting site throughout meeting;
    3. Set up for registration and materials dissemination;
    4. Staff registration table throughout meeting;
    5. Coordinate speaker arrival/address needs (speaker ready-room);
    6. Identify and appropriately address issues that arise throughout 
meeting;
    7. Manage all on-site meeting issues (financial, logistics, etc.);
    8. Any other issues related to managing the meeting on-site.
C. Follow-up
    1. Evaluate meeting
    a. Process of planning and conducting meeting,
    b. Outcome, including meeting participation and participant 
evaluation which includes assessment of anticipated impact on provision 
of quality family planning services;
    2. Produce/disseminate proceedings;
    3. Compile/disseminate information or materials identified/
developed as a result of the meeting;
    4. In collaboration with OFP, produce/disseminate speaker/moderator 
thank-you letters/other correspondence as necessary;
    5. Ensure all meeting expenses are finalized and paid;
    6. Produce and submit final meeting accounting and evaluation 
report;
    7. Any other meeting follow-up identified and agreed upon by OFP 
and the successful applicant.

    Schedule of Cooperative Agreement Requirements--The following 
represents an overview of general activities for each year of the 
project, assuming a four-year project period. This is not expected to 
be an exhaustive list, but rather to provide a general outline of 
expectations throughout the project period. It is expected that the 
successful applicant will have ongoing communication with the OFP 
project officer, and will meet with the OFP project officer, Director, 
OFP, and others identified by the OFP at least every three months 
during years one and two of the project. The applicant should plan for 
these meetings to occur at the OFP office in Rockville, MD. The meeting 
schedule for years three and four will be negotiated during year two of 
the project. It is expected that the successful applicant will maintain 
flexibility in schedule and resource planning in order to respond to 
emerging needs, lessons learned, and annual Title X program priorities. 
Budgets should reflect required communication and required meetings.
Year One
1. Within 30 days of date of Notice of Grant Award (NGA)--Meet with OFP 
in Rockville, MD.
2. First half of Year 1
    a. Develop detailed time line for years one and two of project 
period;
    b. Establish Clinical Training Center operations, including 
finalizing faculty and staff;
    c. Finalize admissions criteria for selection of health care

[[Page 31903]]

practitioners to attend the preceptor course;
    d. Develop assessment process for experienced preceptors and/or 
clinical educators;
    e. Finalize initial preceptor course curriculum;
    f. Finalize location(s) for preceptor training course;
    g. Finalize plans for initial preceptor training course;
    h. Begin planning National Clinical Training Meeting.
3. Second half of Year 1
    a. Conduct first preceptor training course;
    b. Continue planning National Clinical Training Meeting;
    c. Begin developing site visit protocol and schedule.
Year Two
1. First half of Year 2
    a. Provide comprehensive progress report for Year One as part of 
continuation application;
    b. Continue planning National Clinical Training Meeting;
    c. Continue planning/evaluating/revising/conducting preceptor 
training course;
    d. Continue development of protocol and schedule for preceptor site 
visits.
    e. Begin planning preceptor refresher training course;
2. Second half of Year 2
    a. Conduct/Evaluate/Report on National Clinical Training Meeting;
    b. Continue planning/evaluating/revising/conducting preceptor 
training course;
    c. Finalize protocol and schedule for preceptor site visits to 
assess preceptor competence at home site;
    d. Continue planning preceptor refresher training course;
    e. Develop detailed time line for years three and four of the 
family planning clinical training project.
Year Three
1. First half of Year 3
    a. Provide comprehensive progress report for Year Two;
    b. Continue planning/evaluating/revising/conducting preceptor 
training course;
    c. Begin planning National Clinical Training Meeting for Year Four;
    d. Begin preceptor site visits;
    e. Finalize preceptor refresher training course.
2. Second half of Year 3
    a. Conduct/evaluate first preceptor refresher training course;
    b. Continue planning National Clinical Training Meeting;
    c. Revise site visit protocol as needed/continue preceptor site 
visits;
    d. Continue preceptor training/evaluation.
Year Four
1. First half of Year 4
    a. Provide comprehensive progress report for Year Three;
    b. Continue planning National Clinical Training Meeting;
    c. Continue preceptor site visits and evaluation;
    d. Continue preceptor training/evaluation.
2. Second half of Year 4
    a. Conduct/evaluate/report on National Clinical Training Meeting;
    b. Complete preceptor site visits and evaluation.

    3. Submission Dates and Times. Submission Mechanisms. The Office of 
Public Health and Science (OPHS) provides multiple mechanisms for the 
submission of applications, as described in the following sections. 
Applicants will receive notification via mail from the OPHS Office of 
Grants Management confirming the receipt of applications submitted 
using any of these mechanisms. Applications submitted to the OPHS 
Office of Grants Management after the deadlines described below will 
not be accepted for review. Applications which do not conform to the 
requirements of the grant announcement will not be accepted for review 
and will be returned to the applicant.
    Applications may only be submitted electronically via the 
electronic submission mechanisms specified below. Any applications 
submitted via any other means of electronic communication, including 
facsimile or electronic mail, will not be accepted for review. While 
applications are accepted in hard copy, the use of the electronic 
application submission capabilities provided by the OPHS eGrants system 
or the Grants.gov Web site Portal is encouraged.

Electronic Submissions Via the OPHS eGrants System

    The OPHS electronic grants management system, eGrants, provides for 
applications to be submitted electronically. Information about this 
system is available on the OPHS eGrants Web site, https://
egrants.osophs.dhhs.gov, or may be requested from the OPHS Office of 
Grants Management at (240) 453-8822.
    The body of the application and required forms can be submitted 
using the OPHS eGrants system. In addition to electronically submitted 
materials, applicants are required to submit a hard copy of the 
application face page (Standard Form 424) with the original signature 
of an individual authorized to act for the applicant agency or 
organization and to assume for the organization the obligations imposed 
by the terms and conditions of the grant award. If required, applicants 
will also need to submit a hard copy of the Standard Form LLL and/or 
certain Program related forms with the original signature of an 
individual authorized to act for the applicant agency or organization. 
The application will not be considered complete until both the 
electronic application components submitted via the OPHS eGrants system 
and any hard copy materials or original signatures are received.
    Electronic grant application submissions must be submitted via the 
OPHS eGrants system no later than 5 p.m. Eastern Time on the deadline 
date specified in the DATES section of the announcement. All required 
hardcopy original signatures and mail-in items must be received by the 
OPHS Office of Grants Management no later than 5 p.m. Eastern Time on 
the next business day after the deadline date specified in the DATES 
section of the announcement.
    Applications will not be considered valid until all electronic 
application components, hardcopy original signatures, and mail-in items 
are received by the OPHS Office of Grants Management according to the 
deadlines specified above. Any application submitted electronically 
after 5 p.m. Eastern Time on the deadline date specified in the DATES 
section of the announcement will be considered late and will be deemed 
ineligible. Failure of the applicant to submit all required hardcopy 
original signatures and required mail-in items to the OPHS Office of 
Grants Management by 5 p.m. Eastern Time on the next business day after 
the deadline date specified in the DATES section of the announcement 
will result in the electronic application being deemed ineligible.
    Upon completion of a successful electronic application submission, 
the OPHS eGrants system will provide the applicant with a confirmation 
page indicating the date and time (Eastern Time) of the electronic 
application submission. This confirmation page will also provide a 
listing of all items that constitute the final application submission 
including all electronic application components, required hardcopy 
original signatures, and mail-in items, as well as the mailing address 
of the OPHS Office of Grants Management where all required hard copy 
materials must be submitted.
    As items are received by the OPHS Office of Grants Management, the 
electronic application status will be

[[Page 31904]]

updated to reflect the receipt of mail-in items. It is recommended that 
the applicant monitor the status of their application in the OPHS 
eGrants system to ensure that all signatures and mail-in items are 
received.
    Applicants are encouraged to initiate electronic applications early 
in the application development process, and to submit early on the due 
date or before. This will aid in addressing any problems with 
submissions prior to the application deadline.

Electronic Submissions Via the Grants.gov Web Site Portal

    The Grants.gov Web site Portal provides for applications to be 
submitted electronically. Information about this system is available on 
the Grants.gov Web site, https://www.grants.gov.
    The body of the application and required forms can be submitted 
using the Grants.gov Web site Portal. Grants.gov allows the applicant 
to download and complete the application forms at any time, however, it 
is required that organizations successfully complete the necessary 
registration processes in order to submit the application to 
Grants.gov.
    In addition to electronically submitted materials, applicants may 
be required to submit hard copy signatures for certain Program related 
forms, or original materials as required by the announcement. It is 
imperative that the applicant review both the grant announcement, as 
well as the application guidance provided within the Grants.gov 
application package, to determine such requirements. Any required hard 
copy materials, or documents that require a signature, excluding the 
standard forms included in the Grants.gov application package (e.g., 
Standard Form 424 Face Page, Standard Assurances and Certifications 
(Standard Form 424B, and Standard Form LLL) must be submitted 
separately via mail to the OPHS Office of Grants Management, and, if 
required, must contain the original signature of an individual 
authorized to act for the applicant agency or organization and to 
assume for the organization the obligations imposed by the terms and 
conditions of the grant award.
    Electronic grant application submissions must be submitted via the 
Grants.gov Web site Portal no later than 5 p.m. Eastern Time on the 
deadline date specified in the DATES section of the announcement. All 
required hardcopy original signatures and mail-in items must be 
received by the OPHS Office of Grants Management no later than 5 p.m. 
Eastern Time on the next business day after the deadline date specified 
in the DATES section of the announcement.
    Applications will not be considered valid until all electronic 
application components, hardcopy original signatures, and mail-in items 
are received by the OPHS Office of Grants Management according to the 
deadlines specified above. Any application submitted electronically via 
the Grants.gov Web site Portal after 5 p.m. Eastern Time on the 
deadline date specified in the DATES section of the announcement will 
be considered late and will be deemed ineligible. Failure of the 
applicant to submit all required hardcopy original signatures or 
materials to the OPHS Office of Grants Management by 5 p.m. Eastern 
Time on the next business day after the deadline date specified in the 
DATES section of the announcement will result in the electronic 
application being deemed ineligible.
    Upon completion of a successful electronic application submission 
via the Grants.gov Web site Portal, the applicant will be provided with 
a confirmation page from Grants.gov indicating the date and time 
(Eastern Time) of the electronic application submission, as well as the 
Grants.gov Receipt Number. It is critical that the applicant print and 
retain this confirmation for their records, as well as a copy of the 
entire application package.
    All applications submitted via the Grants.gov Web site Portal will 
be validated by Grants.gov. Any applications deemed ``Invalid'' by the 
Grants.gov Web site Portal will not be transferred to the OPHS eGrants 
system, and OPHS has no responsibility for any application that is not 
validated and transferred to OPHS from the Grants.gov Web site Portal. 
Grants.gov will notify the applicant regarding the application 
validation status. Once the application is successfully validated by 
the Grants.gov Web site Portal, applicants should immediately mail all 
required hard copy materials to the OPHS Office of Grants Management to 
be received by the deadlines specified above. It is critical that the 
applicant clearly identify the Organization name and Grants.gov 
Application Receipt Number on all hard copy materials.
    Once the application is validated by Grants.gov, it will be 
electronically transferred to the OPHS eGrants system for processing. 
Upon receipt of both the electronic application from the Grants.gov Web 
site Portal, and the required hardcopy mail-in items, applicants will 
receive notification via mail from the OPHS Office of Grants Management 
confirming the receipt of the application submitted using the 
Grants.gov Web site Portal.
    Applicants are encouraged to initiate electronic applications via 
the Grants.gov Web site Portal early in the application development 
process, and to submit early on the due date or before. This will aid 
in addressing any problems with submissions prior to the application 
deadline.
    Applicants should contact Grants.gov regarding any questions or 
concerns regarding the electronic application process conducted through 
the Grants.gov Web site Portal.

Mailed or Hand-Delivered Hard Copy Applications

    Applicants who submit applications in hard copy (via mail or hand-
delivered) are required to submit an original and two copies of the 
application. See Section IV.1. for the address to submit hard copy 
applications. The original application must be signed by an individual 
authorized to act for the applicant agency or organization and to 
assume for the organization the obligations imposed by the terms and 
conditions of the grant award.
    Mailed or hand-delivered applications will be considered as meeting 
the deadline if they are received by the OPHS Office of Grant 
Management on or before 5 p.m. Eastern Time on the deadline date 
specified in the DATES section of the announcement. The application 
deadline date requirement specified in this announcement supersedes the 
instructions in the OPHS-1. Applications that do not meet the deadline 
will be returned to the applicant unread.
    4. Intergovernmental Review: Applicants under this announcement are 
subject to the requirements of Executive Order 12372, 
``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs,'' as implemented by 45 
CFR part 100, ``Intergovernmental Review of Department of Health and 
Human Services Programs and Activities.'' As soon as possible, the 
applicant should discuss the project with the State Single Point of 
Contact (SPOC) for the state in which the applicant is located. The 
application kit contains the currently available listing of the SPOCs 
that have elected to be informed of the submission of applications. For 
those states not represented on the listing, further inquiries should 
be made by the applicant regarding the submission to the relevant SPOC. 
The SPOC should forward any comments to the OPHS Office of Grants 
Management, 1101 Wootton Parkway, Suite 550, Rockville, Maryland 20852. 
The SPOC has 60 days

[[Page 31905]]

from the due date as listed in the DATES section of this announcement 
to submit any comments. For further information, contact the OPHS 
Office of Grants Management at 240-453-8822.
    5. Funding Restrictions: The allowability, allocability, 
reasonableness and necessity of direct and indirect costs that may be 
charged to OPHS grants are outlined in the following documents: OMB 
Circular A-21 (Institutions of Higher Education); OMB Circular A-87 
(State and Local Governments); OMB Circular A-122 (Nonprofit 
Organizations); and 45 CFR part 74, Appendix E (Hospitals). Copies of 
the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circulars are available on 
the Internet at https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/grants_
circulars.html.
    Indirect costs are limited to eight percent (8%) of modified total 
direct costs as a flat amount for reimbursement under training grants 
(Grants Policy Directive Part 3.01: Post-Award-Indirect Cost and other 
Cost Policies, HHS transmittal 98.01).
    6. Other Submission Requirements: None.

V. Application Review Information

    1. Criteria: Eligible cooperative agreement applications will be 
reviewed according to the following criteria, as set out in the Title X 
family planning training regulations at 42 CFR 59.206:

1. The degree to which the project plan adequately provides for the 
requirements set forth in the Title X regulations at 42 CFR 59.205 (20 
points);
2. The extent to which the training program promises to fulfill the 
family planning services delivery needs of the area to be served, which 
may include among other things:
    (i) Development of a capability within family planning service 
projects to provide pre- and in-service training to their own staffs;
    (ii) Improvement of the family planning services delivery skills of 
family planning and health services personnel;
    (iii) Expansion of family planning services, particularly in rural 
areas, through new or improved approaches to program planning and 
deployment of resources, including clinical personnel; (20 points total 
for this section)
3. The administrative and management capability and competence of the 
applicant (20 points);
4. The extent to which the training program will increase the delivery 
of services to people, particularly low-income groups, with a high 
percentage of unmet need for family planning services (15 points);
5. The competence of the applicant project staff in relation to the 
services to be provided, including demonstration of academic, clinical, 
and teaching competence of proposed faculty (15 points); and
6. The capacity of the applicant to make rapid and effective use of the 
grant assistance, including evidence of flexibility in the utilization 
of resources and in training plan design (10 points).

    2. Review and Selection Process: The Office of Family Planning/
Office of Population Affairs is responsible for evaluating applications 
and setting funding levels according to the requirements set out in 42 
CFR 59.206. Eligible applications will be reviewed by a panel of 
independent reviewers and will be evaluated based on the criteria 
listed above. In addition to the independent review panel, there will 
be Federal staff reviews of each application for programmatic and 
grants management compliance.
    Final award decisions will be made collaboratively by the Deputy 
Assistant Secretary for Population Affairs (DASPA) and the Director, 
OFP. In making award decisions, one cooperative agreement will be 
awarded which best promotes the purposes of sections 1001 (family 
planning services) and 1003 (family planning training) of the Public 
Health Service Act, and the requirements of the cooperative agreement 
as described in this announcement. The decision will take into account 
the reasonableness of the estimated cost considering available funding, 
and the likelihood that the project activities will result in the 
benefits expected.

VI. Award Administration Information

1. Award Notices

    The OPA does not release information about individual applications 
during the review process. When final funding decisions have been made, 
each applicant will be notified by letter of the outcome. The official 
document notifying an applicant that a project application has been 
approved for funding is the Notice of Grant Award (NGA), signed by the 
Director of the OPHS Office of Grants Management. This document 
specifies to the successful applicant the amount of money awarded, the 
purposes of the cooperative agreement, the length of the project 
period, terms and conditions of the cooperative agreement award, and 
the amount of funding, if any, to be contributed by the grantee to 
project costs. In addition, the NGA identifies the OPHS OGM grants 
specialist and OFP project officer assigned to the cooperative 
agreement.
    This cooperative agreement grant will be awarded for a project 
period of up to four years, and will be funded in annual increments 
(budget periods). Funding for all approved budget periods beyond the 
first year of the cooperative agreement is contingent upon submission 
and approval of a non-competing continuation application, satisfactory 
progress of the project, efficient and effective use of cooperative 
agreement funds, and the continued availability of funds.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

    In accepting this award, the cooperative agreement grant recipient 
stipulates that the award and any activities thereunder are subject to 
all provisions of 45 CFR parts 74 and 92, currently in effect or 
implemented during the period of the cooperative agreement.
    The successful applicant will be responsible for the overall 
management of activities within the scope of the approved project plan, 
and will be required to work closely with the OFP project officer. The 
project officer will review and approve all aspects of the planning, 
implementation, and evaluation of the project components, as well as 
plans for the use of resources as part of this cooperative agreement. 
Within 30 days of Notice of Grant Award, the successful applicant is 
expected to meet with the OFP project officer; Director, OFP; and 
others at the OFP Central Office in Rockville, MD to finalize a time 
line and schedule for activities for years one and two of the project. 
Planning for years three and four of the project, if approved, will be 
developed and approved during year two of the project.
    The OPHS requires all grant recipients to provide a smoke-free 
workplace and to promote the non-use of all tobacco products. This is 
consistent with the OPHS mission to protect and advance the physical 
and mental health of the American people.
    The HHS Appropriations Act requires that when issuing statements, 
press releases, requests for proposals, bid solicitations, and other 
documents describing projects or programs funded in whole or in part 
with Federal money, grantees shall clearly state the percentage and 
dollar amount of the total costs of the program or project which will 
be financed with Federal money, and the percentage and dollar amount of 
the total costs of the project

[[Page 31906]]

or program that will be financed by non-governmental sources.
    Federal support must be acknowledged in any publication developed 
or training provided using Title X funds. All publications developed or 
purchased with Title X funds must be consistent with the requirements 
of the program. The cooperative agreement grantee will be expected to 
make available, at cost, all materials developed with Title X funds as 
requested by other Title X projects.

3. Reporting

    Each year of the project period, the cooperative agreement grantee 
is required to submit a non-competing application which includes an 
annual progress report, project work plan, budget, and budget 
justification for the upcoming year. The progress report must contain, 
at a minimum, a report on the evaluation of the training program as a 
whole, as well as the following data related to all training activities 
supported with cooperative agreement funds:
    For preceptor training and preceptor refresher courses: (a) 
Training curriculum; (b) location(s); (c) hours of didactic/hours of 
clinical training; (d) faculty; (e) number of participants; (f) 
educational background of participants; (g) agencies sponsoring 
participants; (h) evaluation summary; (i) credit hours or CEUs 
available. For site visits: (a) location, grantee, clinic(s), and 
provider(s) visited; (b) clinical training program staff making visit; 
(c) assessment process; (d) evaluate log of preceptor activities, 
including clinicians receiving preceptor assessment, training, and/or 
technical assistance and the nature of such; (e) outcome of assessment; 
(f) recommendations for further training or technical assistance.
    The cooperative agreement grantee is required to submit an annual 
Financial Status Report (FSR) within 90 days after the end of each 
budget period. Agencies that receive a total of $500,000 or greater of 
Federal funds must undergo an independent audit in accordance with OMB 
Circular A-133.
    Required reports may be submitted either electronically or in hard 
copy.

VII. Agency Contacts

Administrative and Budgetary Requirements

    For information related to administrative and budgetary 
requirements, contact Eleanor Walker, OPHS Office of Grants Management, 
1101 Wootton Parkway, Suite 550, Rockville, MD 20852; 240-453-8822; 
eleanor.walker@hhs.gov.

Program Requirements

    For information related to family planning program requirements, 
contact Susan Moskosky, Director, Office of Family Planning/Office of 
Population Affairs, 1101 Wootton Parkway, Ste. 700, Rockville, MD 
20852, 240-453-2888; susan.moskosky@hhs.gov.

VIII. Other Information

    Definitions: For the purposes of this announcement, the following 
definitions apply:
    Application--A request for financial support of a project submitted 
to OPA on specified forms and in accordance with instructions provided.
    Cooperative Agreement--An award instrument of financial assistance 
where ``substantial involvement'' is anticipated between the HHS 
awarding agency and the recipient during performance of the 
contemplated project or activity. ``Substantial involvement'' means 
that the recipient can expect Federal programmatic collaboration or 
participation in managing the award. The entity that receives a Federal 
cooperative agreement assumes the legal and financial responsibility 
and accountability for the awarded funds and performance of activities 
approved for funding, and is held to all requirements for Federal 
grants.
    Evidence-based--Relevant scientific evidence that has undergone 
comprehensive review and rigorous analysis.
    Family planning training--Job-specific skill development, the 
purpose of which is to promote and improve the delivery of family 
planning services. Further description of family planning services may 
be found in the authorizing legislation, implementing regulations, and 
program guidelines. These are provided as part of this application 
package.
    Family planning clinical training--Specialized, evidence-based 
family planning training, the purpose of which is to promote and 
improve the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of persons delivering 
hands-on clinical family planning services.
    Health care practitioner--An advanced practice nurse, physician's 
assistant, Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathy who is recognized 
by a state to practice within the scope of the applicable state 
practice act or law.
    Project--Those activities described in the cooperative agreement 
application and supported under the approved budget.
    Technical Assistance Conference Call: There will be an opportunity 
for prospective applicants to participate in a technical assistance 
conference call to be held within one month after publication of this 
Notice in the Federal Register. For more information regarding this 
opportunity, including date, registration information, and how to join 
the call, please consult the OPA Web site at https://
opa.osophs.dhhs.gov.

    Dated: May 19, 2006.
Alma L. Golden,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Population Affairs.
 [FR Doc. E6-8458 Filed 5-31-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4150-34-P