OpportunityTitle: State Implementation Grants for Improving Services for Children and Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other Developmental Disabilities
AdditionalInformationOnEligibility: Public or private nonprofit agencies, including institutions of higher education, Indian tribes or tribal organizations, faith based and community based organizations (as those terms are defined at 25 U.S.C. 450b), are eligible to apply for Federal fundin
Description: This funding opportunity announcement (FOA) solicits applications for the State Implementation Grants for Improving Services for Children and Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other Developmental Disabilities. The purpose of the program is to improve access to comprehensive, coordinated health care and related services for children and youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other related developmental disabilities (DDs). Program funding will support improved state systems of care and the implementation of activities focused on improving early and continuous screening, coordination of family-centered services through a medical home, and increasing ASD/DD awareness. Program Aim: Children and youth with ASD and other related DDs will be identified by 24 months and have access to a family-centered medical home and comprehensive, coordinated care. Program Objectives: Increase the number of children and youth with ASD and other related DDs who are identified by 24 months of age, receive first evaluation by 36 months of age and are enrolled in intervention services by 48 months of age. Activities should focus on reducing barriers to screening, referral, and diagnosis. Increase access to culturally competent family-centered medical homes that coordinate care with pediatric subspecialties. Improve the organization and capacity of community-based service systems within states, so that they are easy to use by families. Increase public and provider awareness of the signs and symptoms of ASD and other related DDs. Increase the number of families satisfied with their role as partners with providers in shared-decision making. Increase family and youth involvement in ASD and related DD program planning, implementation, and evaluation activities. Program Requirements Applicants must: Develop a program advisory panel that will guide the improvement of the state&#146;s system of care. The advisory panel should consist of ASD/DD stakeholders in the state, such as the State Title V Program for Children with Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN), primary care providers including the State Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, pediatric specialists, family leaders and parent organizations such as Family Voices and local autism support groups, State and community agencies, State legislatures, public and private payers, and schools. The applicant must demonstrate preliminary linkages and the capacity to develop effective partnerships with the ASD/DD stakeholders in their state; Describe the findings from a comprehensive needs assessment as noted in the project narrative/needs assessment section and review criteria of this FOA. Applicants that are unable to submit finalized needs assessment findings with the application may use the first 3 months of the grant to complete a comprehensive Statewide needs assessment that describes the State&#146;s system of services for children and youth with ASD/DDs. The needs assessment should clearly describe the most medically underserved populations in the state related to ASD/DD services; Implement an existing statewide plan that: Reduces barriers to screening, referral, and diagnosis (applicants must aim to increase the proportion of young children with an ASD/DD who are screened by 24 months of age, receive first evaluation by 36 months of age, and are enrolled in intervention services by 48 months of age.) Increase access to culturally competent family-centered medical homes that coordinate care with pediatric subspecialties. Improve the organization and capacity of community-based service systems within states, so that they are easy to use by families. Increase public and provider awareness of the signs and symptoms of ASD and other related DDs. Increase the number of families satisfied with their role as partners with providers in shared-decision making. Increase family and youth involvement in ASD and related DD program planning, implementation, and evaluation activities; Implement comprehensive medical home activities that include health promotion as well as preventive and on-going routine care. Medical Homes (MH) serve as a central point of coordination for chronic conditions and for working with other community based providers and agencies to assure that the individual and family have access to the full range of services they need and are eligible for. A medical home primary care practice routinely monitors development and screens to identify children with developmental delays and disabilities including ASD. If delays or disabilities are confirmed, they will make appropriate referrals so that treatment and intervention can begin early. Practitioners have ongoing and effective communications with the children, youth, and families under their care, and they learn to partner with the families to address needs. A proactive team approach is used to manage ASD as a chronic condition within the Medical Home. This requires coordination of the more complex services and systems such as health and education, as well as co-management with specialist and assistance with transitions in the medical system to adulthood [[]1] Conduct community outreach activities and provide information and education that increase public and provider awareness about ASD/DDs that includes CDC&#146;s Learn the Signs, Act Early Campaign Materials when appropriate; Develop a central statewide repository that links families to information about ASD/DD services and resources; Develop a comprehensive evaluation plan using national, State, and community data that measures the achievement of the program purpose, aim, and objectives noted previously, tracks the status of the applicant&#146;s individual project goals and objectives, and is aligned with the Healthy People 2020 (HP2020) Maternal, Infant, and Child Health (MICH) Objective 29: Increase the proportion of young children with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other developmental delays who are screened, evaluated, and enrolled in early intervention services in a timely manner. Develop a plan that will sustain key project activities beyond Federal funding. Grantee Requirements: In addition to the above program requirements, successful applicants will also be required to participate in the following: 1) Coordination with other MCHB Funded Grants: Funded applicants will be expected to coordinate their activities with other MCHB grants including the LEND Training Programs, the Intervention Research Program, the State Public Health Coordinating Center, Family to Family Health Information Centers, and the State Implementation Grants for CSHCN. It is also an expectation that successful applicants will coordinate with other MCHB funded programs listed in the Background section of this FOA. 2) CAAI Grantee Meeting: Funded applicants will also be required to attend an annual grantee meeting which will include all grantees funded under MCHB CAAI. The meeting will be will be held in the greater Washington, D.C. area. Applicants should budget for two (2) staff to attend the annual meeting. 3) Annual Autism State Program Meeting: Funded applicants will be required to attend the annual State autism program meeting, which will include all State Autism Implementation Grantees. Applicants should budget for two (2) staff to attend the annual meeting. 4) Conference Calls: In order to assure coordination and collaboration among all the grants funded under the MCHB CAAI, there will be regularly scheduled conference calls. Successful applicants will be expected to participate in these calls. 5) Evaluation: Successful applicants will be required to work with MCHB&#146;s evaluation contractor who will be collecting data for the MCHB State Autism Program Evaluation. This will include both quantitative and qualitative data collection.
GrantorContactEmailDescription: Contact HRSA Call Center at 877-Go4-HRSA/877-464-4772 or email CallCenter@HRSA.GOV
GrantorContactText: CallCenter@HRSA.GOV&lt;br/&gt;CallCenter@HRSA.GOV&lt;br/&gt;