OpportunityTitle: Affordable Care Act Family-to-Family Health Information Centers
AdditionalInformationOnEligibility: Eligible applicants include public and private entities, including an Indian tribe or tribal organization (as those terms are defined at 25 U.S.C. 450b), faith-based organizations, and community-based organizations from the following states ONLY: AK, AL, AR, IA, ID, KY, NM, OH, SC, WA, WV and WY.   Although Tribes and tribal organizations may apply, they must meet all applicable requirements, including targeting of all CSHCN across the State for services.  Applicants also must have experience related to the &#147;purpose,&#148; must have a focus on health for CSHCN (as defined by MCHB), and their effort must be family-staffed/run.  For example, if an applicant is a family organization with a history of funding that is condition-specific or related to education, mental health or developmental disabilities, evidence of health for the broad CSHCN must be evident in their application.  If an applicant is a university, for example, family staff must have equal decision making authority for the F2F HIC project.  Applicants MUST demonstrate that they have EXISTING and effective fiduciary, administrative and management systems.    NOTE:  Applicants in the states of AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, IL, IN, KS, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NE, NH, NV, NJ, NY, NC, ND, OK, OR, PA, RI, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, and WI are not eligible to compete for this funding opportunity because each has an active F2F HIC that was awarded as part of the last (FY11) competitive announcement.
Description: This announcement solicits applications for the Affordable Care Act Family-to-Family Health Information Centers (F2F HICs) Program. F2F HICs (also noted as &quot;the Centers&quot; throughout this funding opportunity announcement) were established by the Family Opportunity Act of 2005 (FOA) as a part of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (P.L. 109-171), to provide information to parents of children with disabilities and special health needs. These family-staffed/run Centers assist families in making informed decisions about health care in order to promote good treatment decisions, cost-effectiveness, and improved health outcomes for such children. Section 5507(b) of the Affordable Care Act amended Section 501(c)(1)(A)(iii) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 701(c)(1)(A)(iii)) by extending appropriations for the program through Federal fiscal year 2012. This extension allows the F2F HICs to continue to assist in assuring that families of children with special health needs (CSHCN) will partner in decision-making at all levels. In addition to extending appropriations for the F2F HICs, the Affordable Care Act puts into place comprehensive health reforms that are designed to reduce health disparities and barriers to health care by making improvements in preventive care, investing more resources into coordinated care, strengthening diversity and cultural competence training in the health professions, expanding the health care workforce in underserved communities, ending insurance discrimination, and creating affordable insurance coverage through Health Insurance Exchanges. More information about the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is found at http://www.healthcare.gov. Specifically, the law requires that these Centers will: 1) assist families of CSHCN to make informed choices about health care in order to promote good treatment decisions, cost effectiveness and improved health outcomes; 2) provide information regarding the health care needs of and resources available for CSHCN; 3) identify successful health delivery models for CSHCN; 4) develop with representatives of health care providers, managed care organization, health care purchasers, and appropriate State agencies, a model for collaboration between families of CSHCN and health professionals; 5) provide training and guidance regarding the care of CSHCN; 6) conduct outreach activities to families of CSHCN, health professionals, schools and other appropriate entities; and 7) be staffed by such families who have expertise in Federal and State public and private health care systems; and by health professionals. There is also an ACA requirement that all ACA funded initiatives like the F2F HICs will submit information on race, ethnicity, sex, primary language, and disability status. More about this requirement will be forthcoming. Grants will be awarded to fund State-wide, family-staffed/run F2F HICs that will provide information, education, technical assistance and peer support to families of CSHCN and adhere to the law&apos;s requirements. The Centers will be responsible for developing partnerships with those organizations serving these children and their families, including State Title V programs, other parent/family led organizations and patient navigator programs in their State. They will also help monitor the progress of programs with responsibility for payment and direct services of this population through a statewide data collection system. Core values across all Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB) programs include family-centered care, family/professional partnerships and cultural and linguistic competence. The MCHB core values MUST be integrated throughout project policies and activities. It is vital that health be the major focus of all applications. MCHB may also require additional data and provide technical assistance. Review criteria are described in this funding opportunity announcement.
GrantorContactEmailDescription: Contact HRSA Call Center at 877-Go4-HRSA/877-464-4772;301-998-7373 or email
GrantorContactText: CallCenter@HRSA.GOV&lt;br/&gt;CallCenter@HRSA.GOV&lt;br/&gt;