FUNDING ANNOUNCEMENT

Office of the Secretary, Office of Public Health and Science, Office of Minority Health, HHS.

Youth Empowerment Demonstration Grant Program
APPLICATION DEADLINE: June 15, 2006

As a part of the continuing HHS effort to improve the health and well being of racial and ethnic minorities, the Department announces the availability of FY 2006 funding for the Youth Empowerment Demonstration Grant Program ("Youth Empowerment Program").

The Youth Empowerment Program is designed to address unhealthy behaviors in at-risk minority youth, and provide them opportunities to learn about more positive lifestyles and enhance their capacity to make informed and healthier life choices. It is intended to test community-based interventions on reducing risky behaviors among targeted minority youth. These demonstration grants require a multi-partner approach involving institutions of higher education, primary and secondary schools, community organizations and institutions, and the community at-large.

Applicants must identify anticipated project results that are consistent with the overall Youth Empowerment Program purpose and OMH expectations. Project results should fall within the following general categories:

• Mobilizing Communities and Partnerships - by forming partnerships with educational institutions, community agencies and organizations, and the community at large to improve the quality of life for minority youth.
• Increasing Knowledge and Awareness - to effect change in the attitudes of minority youth regarding violence, abuse and other unhealthy behaviors through a comprehensive program of support and education.
• Changing Behavior - changing health behaviors and lifestyle patterns in minority youth.

The outcomes of these projects will be used to develop other national efforts to address unhealthy behaviors of minority youth.

Note: Funded projects will be expected to demonstrate progress toward meeting any or all of its anticipated results by the end of the project period. Such progress will be a factor in decisions regarding future funding.

AWARD INFORMATION

Estimated Funds Available for Competition: $5,800,000 in FY 2006
Anticipated Number of Awards: 23 to 29
Range of Awards: $200,000 to $250,000 per year
Anticipated Start Date: September 1, 2006
Period of Performance: 3 years (September 1, 2006 to August 31, 2009)
Budget Period Length: 12 months
Type of Award: Grant
Type of Application Accepted: New

Application Deadline: June 15, 2006

• Federal Register Notice: [PDF]
• Program Guidelines [PDF]

Online applications and other forms such as Form OPHS-1, Key Personnel Form, Budget Sample, Project Profile and the UDS Article will be available through the following sources: https://egrants.osophs.dhhs.gov or www.grants.gov.

IMPORTANT CONTACTS

For questions on budget and business aspects for the application, contact Mr. DeWayne Wynn, Grants Management Specialist, OPHS Office of Grants Management, Tower Building, 1101 Wootton Parkway, Suite 550, Rockville, MD 20852. Mr. Wynn can be reached by telephone at (240) 453-8822; or by e-mail at dwynn@osophs.dhh.gov.

For questions related to the Youth Empowerment Program or assistance in preparing a grant proposal, contact Ms. Cynthia Amis, Director, Division of Program Operations, Office of Minority Health, Tower Building, Suite 600, 1101 Wootton Parkway, Rockville, MD 20852. Ms. Amis can be reached by telephone at (240) 453-8444; or by e-mail at camis@osophs.dhhs.gov.

For additional technical assistance, contact the OMH Regional Minority Health Consultant for your region listed in your grant application kit.

For health information, call the OMH Resource Center (OMHRC) at 1-800-444-6472.