Notices. Public hearings; request for comment

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A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

BILLING CODE 6690-01-C FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM Formations of, Acquisitions by, and Mergers of Bank Holding Companies The companies listed in this notice have applied to the Board for approval, pursuant to the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 (12 U.S.C. 1841 *et seq.* ) (BHC Act), Regulation Y (12 CFR part 225), and all other applicable statutes and regulations to become a bank holding company and/or to acquire the assets or the ownership of, control of, or the power to vote shares of a bank or bank holding company and all of the banks and nonbanking companies owned by the bank holding company, including the companies listed below.

The applications listed below, as well as other related filings required by the Board, are available for immediate inspection at the Federal Reserve Bank indicated. The application also will be available for inspection at the offices of the Board of Governors. Interested persons may express their views in writing on the standards enumerated in the BHC Act (12 U.S.C. 1842(c)). If the proposal also involves the acquisition of a nonbanking company, the review also includes whether the acquisition of the nonbanking company complies with the standards in section 4 of the BHC Act (12 U.S.C. 1843).

Unless otherwise noted, nonbanking activities will be conducted throughout the United States. Additional information on all bank holding companies may be obtained from the National Information Center Web site at *http://www.ffiec.gov/nic/* . Unless otherwise noted, comments regarding each of these applications must be received at the Reserve Bank indicated or the offices of the Board of Governors not later than June 1, 2006. **A. Federal Reserve Bank of Boston** (Richard Walker, Community Affairs Officer) P.O.

Box 55882, Boston, Massachusetts 02106-2204: *1. Braintree Bancorp, MHC* , Braintree, Massachusetts; to become a bank holding company by acquiring 100 percent of the voting shares of Braintree Co-Operative Bank, Braintree, Massachusetts. **B. Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta** (Andre Anderson, Vice President) 1000 Peachtree Street, NE., Atlanta, Georgia 30309: *1. RockBridge Financial Holdings, Inc.* , Atlanta, Georgia; to become a bank holding company by acquiring 100 percent of the voting shares of RockBridge Commercial Bank, Atlanta, Georgia (in organization). **C.

Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City** (Donna J. Ward, Assistant Vice President) 925 Grand Avenue, Kansas City, Missouri 64198-0001: *1. Baltz Family Partnership* , Parker, Colorado; to become a bank holding company by retaining 100 percent of the voting shares of United Banks of Colorado, Inc., Englewood, Colorado, and First United Bank, National Association, Englewood, Colorado. Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, May 2, 2006. Robert deV. Frierson, Deputy Secretary of the Board. [FR Doc.

E6-6837 Filed 5-4-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6210-01-S FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM [Docket No. OP-1253] Home Equity Lending Market; Notice of Public Hearings AGENCY: Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. ACTION: Public hearings; request for comment. SUMMARY: Section 158 of the Home Ownership and Equity Protection Act of 1994 (HOEPA) 1 directs the Board to hold public hearings periodically on the home equity lending market and the adequacy of existing regulatory and legislative provisions (including HOEPA) in protecting the interests of consumers.

Consequently, the Board will hold hearings on the home equity lending market and invites the public to attend and to comment on the issues that will be the focus of the hearings. Additional information about the hearings will be posted to the Board's Web site at *http://www.federalreserve.gov.* 1 Pub. L. 103-325, 108 Stat. 2160. DATES: The dates of the hearings are: 1. June 7, 2006, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Chicago, IL. 2. June 9, 2006, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Philadelphia, PA. 3. June 16, 2006, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., San Francisco, CA. 4.

July 11, 2006, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Atlanta, GA. *Comments.* Comments from persons unable to attend the hearings or otherwise wishing to submit written views on the issues raised in this notice must be received by August 15, 2006. ADDRESSES: The locations of the hearings are: 1. Chicago—The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, 230 South LaSalle Street, Chicago, IL 60604. 2. Philadelphia—The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, 10 Independence Mall, Philadelphia, PA 19106. 3. San Francisco—The Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, 101 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94105. 4.

Atlanta—The Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, 1000 Peachtree Street, NE., Atlanta, GA 30309. You may submit comments, identified by Docket No. OP-1253, by any of the following methods: • Agency Web site: *http://www.federalreserve.gov.* Follow the instructions for submitting comments at *http://www.federalreserve.gov/generalinfo/foia/ProposedRegs.cfm.* • Federal eRulemaking Portal: *http://www.regulations.gov.* Follow the instructions for submitting comments. • E-mail: *regs.comments@federalreserve.gov* .

Include the docket number in the subject line of the message. • Fax:

(202)452-3819 or

(202)452-3102. • Mail: Address to Jennifer J. Johnson, Secretary, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, 20th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20551. All public comments will be made available on the Board's Web site at *http://www.federalreserve.gov/generalinfo/foia/ProposedRegs.cfm* as submitted, unless modified for technical reasons. Accordingly, comments will not be edited to remove any identifying or contact information. Public comments may also be viewed electronically or in paper in Room MP-500 of the Board's Martin Building (20th and C Streets, NW.) between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kathleen C. Ryan, Counsel, Minh-Duc T. Le, Senior Attorney, or Ellen A. Merry, Economist, Division of Consumer and Community Affairs, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Washington, DC 20551, at

(202)452-2412 or

(202)452-3667. For users of Telecommunications Device for the Deaf

(TDD)only, contact

(202)263-4869. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background In 1994, Congress enacted the Home Ownership and Equity Protection Act (HOEPA) as an amendment to the Truth in Lending Act (TILA), in response to testimony before Congress of predatory home equity lending practices in underserved markets, where some lenders were making high-rate, high-fee home equity loans to cash-poor homeowners. HOEPA identifies a class of high-cost mortgage loans through criteria keyed to the loans' rates and fees and requires creditors to provide enhanced disclosures of, and to comply with substantive restrictions on, the terms of those loans. Section 158 of HOEPA also directs the Board to hold public hearings periodically on the home equity lending market and the adequacy of existing regulatory and legislative provisions for protecting the interests of consumers, particularly low income consumers. The Board last held hearings under HOEPA in 2000, at a time when heightened concerns were being expressed about predatory lending. The 2000 hearings focused on the Board's ability to use its regulatory authority under HOEPA to address abusive lending practices. Following those hearings and the receipt of public comment, the Board amended the provisions of Regulation Z that implement HOEPA. The revisions took effect in October 2002. II. Information About and Goals of the Hearings The 2006 hearings are open to the public to attend. Seating will be limited, however. Further information about the hearings, as it becomes available, will be posted on the Board's Web site at *http://www.federalreserve.gov.* The Board will invite persons to participate in panel discussions on the topics discussed below. In addition to the panel discussions, the Board intends to reserve about one hour at the end of each hearing to permit interested parties other than those on the panels to make brief statements. To allow as many persons as possible to offer their views during this period, oral statements will be limited to five minutes or less; written statements of any length may be submitted for the record. Interested parties who wish to participate during this “open-mike” period may contact the Board in advance of the hearing date at the telephone numbers provided in this notice, to facilitate planning for this portion of the hearings. The Board's hearings will examine developments in the home equity lending market, with a focus on four objectives. First, the Board wishes to gather views on the effectiveness of the 2002 revisions to the HOEPA rules in protecting consumers and on the rules' impact on the availability of credit in the higher-cost portion of the subprime market. Second, the Board would like to gather information that will assist its review of Regulation Z, which implements TILA and HOEPA. In particular, the Board anticipates that the hearings will provide information that would help in its review of the rules governing home mortgage loans under Regulation Z. Third, the hearings may help identify matters for which the Board or other entities can develop educational materials to help consumers make informed choices about mortgage loans. Fourth, the Board anticipates that the hearings may help identify matters for which additional research about the mortgage lending market would be beneficial. III. Hearing Topics The Board consulted with its Consumer Advisory Council (CAC), lenders and their trade associations, consumer advocacy groups, secondary market participants, and other federal agencies to identify issues the Board might address at the hearings. The following three topics will be discussed at the hearings. Topic 1: Predatory Lending: The Impact of HOEPA Rules and State and Local Predatory Lending Laws For loans covered by HOEPA, creditors must provide enhanced disclosures to consumers three days before consummation of the transaction, in addition to the disclosures required by TILA for all home mortgage loans. HOEPA also prohibits lenders from including certain terms in their loan agreements with borrowers and bars certain acts or practices in connection with HOEPA-covered loans. One of the goals of the hearings is to help the Board assess the impact of the HOEPA rules on improving consumers' understanding of their mortgage loan terms, and on curbing abusive practices, while preserving access to subprime credit. The Board is also interested in gathering information about any new practices that have developed since the 2000 hearings that may be abusive, and other practices in the subprime market that continue to raise concerns, such as the amount and prevalence of prepayment penalties, as well as whether creditors make loans with appropriate evaluation of each borrower's repayment ability. In addition, the Board wishes to gather information about how state and local laws that address predatory lending have affected abusive lending practices and access to credit. Since the 2000 hearings, numerous state and local governments have enacted laws to address predatory lending practices, some of which are modeled on HOEPA, but with stricter terms. Consumer advocates generally assert that these laws are effective in protecting consumers from abusive lending, while lenders, mortgage brokers, and investors have expressed concerns that these laws have adversely affected consumers' access to legitimate subprime loans. Available research is not definitive regarding whether these laws have been effective in eliminating abusive practices and whether they have reduced the availability of legitimate high-cost credit. The Board invites comment on the following questions related to HOEPA and predatory lending practices: 1. Have the revisions to the HOEPA regulations (12 CFR 226.32 *et seq.* ) been effective in curtailing predatory lending practices? What has been the impact of these changes on the availability of subprime credit? Have other abusive practices emerged since the 2002 revisions? If so, what are they? 2. What has been the impact of state and local anti-predatory lending laws on curbing abusive practices? Have these laws adversely affected consumers' access to legitimate subprime lending? Have certain provisions been particularly effective, or particularly likely to negatively affect credit availability? 3. Since the 2002 revisions to HOEPA, what efforts to educate consumers about predatory lending have been successful? What is needed to help such efforts succeed? 4. Should the existing HOEPA disclosures in Regulation Z be changed to improve consumers' understanding of high-cost loan products? If so, in what way? Topic 2: Nontraditional Mortgage Products and Reverse Mortgages Interest Only Loans and Payment Option Adjustable Rate Mortgages In recent years, rising home prices and marketing activities have led to growing consumer demand for mortgage products designed to minimize initial monthly mortgage payments. As a result, nontraditional mortgage products have become more prevalent in the market, including interest-only mortgage loans, for which a borrower pays no principal for the first few years of the loan, and “payment option” adjustable rate mortgages, for which a borrower has flexible payment options, including a payment choice that results in negative amortization. Some institutions also increasingly combine these nontraditional mortgages with other practices, such as making simultaneous second-lien mortgages and allowing reduced documentation in evaluating an applicant's creditworthiness. 2 2 Concerns about nontraditional mortgage products led the Board, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Office of Thrift Supervision, and the National Credit Union Administration to jointly propose Guidance on Nontraditional Mortgages on December 20, 2005. The proposed Guidance addresses loan terms and underwriting standards; portfolio and risk management practices; and consumer protection issues. Nontraditional mortgage products can enable a broader segment of consumers to achieve home ownership or access to home equity. However, concerns have been raised that such loans may expose marginally qualified, highly leveraged borrowers to a greater risk of default than other products, such as a traditional thirty-year, fixed rate mortgage, in the event of widespread or regional cooling in housing prices or when rates adjust upward. These products and practices are being offered to a wider spectrum of borrowers, including subprime borrowers and others who may not otherwise qualify for more traditional mortgage loans or who may not fully understand the risks of nontraditional mortgages. Nontraditional mortgage products are more complex than traditional fixed rate products and adjustable rate products and also can present greater risks of payment shock and negative amortization. While the Board's Regulation Z requires creditors to provide disclosures to consumers in connection with mortgages, including nontraditional mortgages, consumer groups and others have stated that additional disclosures are needed. The Board seeks public comment on the following questions regarding nontraditional mortgage products: 1. Do consumers have sufficient information (from disclosures and from advertisements) about nontraditional mortgage products to understand the risks (such as payment increases and negative amortization) associated with them? 2. Should any disclosures required under Regulation Z be eliminated or modified because they are confusing to consumers, unduly burdensome to creditors, or are simply not relevant to nontraditional mortgage products? Do the required disclosures present information about nontraditional mortgage products in an understandable manner? 3. Are there some Regulation Z disclosures that should be provided earlier in the mortgage shopping and application process to aid consumers' understanding of key credit terms and costs for these products? *Reverse Mortgages.* Reverse mortgages have increased in popularity in the last 5 years. For example, according to the National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association, the number of reverse mortgages insured by the Department of Housing and Urban Development

(HUD)(representing 90 percent of reverse mortgages) grew from about 8,000 originations in 2001 to about 43,000 originations in 2005. Reverse mortgages allow borrowers to convert equity in their homes to a loan, which need not be repaid until the borrower dies or sells the home. Reverse mortgages can have relatively high up front fees ( *e.g.,* for insurance and origination costs) and are complicated transactions. Although Regulation Z requires lenders to provide special disclosures for reverse mortgage transactions (12 CFR 226.33), some concerns have been raised that consumers may not understand the terms of these products. In the HUD-insured reverse mortgage program, borrowers must receive pre-application counseling from a counselor approved by HUD. The Board seeks comments on the following questions related to reverse mortgages: 1. Are current Regulation Z disclosures adequate to inform consumers about the costs of reverse mortgages and to ensure that they understand the terms of the product? 2. Has counseling (under the HUD program) been effective in educating consumers about reverse mortgages and in preventing abuses from occurring? 3. In reverse mortgages that are not insured by HUD, is counseling offered to applicants? Do borrowers of these loans have difficulty understanding their loan terms or encounter other difficulties? Do these lenders employ alternate disclosure approaches that have proven to be effective? Topic 3: Informed Consumer Choice in the Subprime Market The growth of the subprime market over the last several years has expanded access to credit, helping to increase homeownership and opportunities for consumers to use the equity in their homes. However, the growth of the subprime market has also raised public policy concerns. Among the concerns is whether consumers who obtain higher-priced loans are sufficiently informed about mortgage products, their options, how to effectively shop for the best rates and terms, and ultimately how to obtain the best available mortgage for their needs. In addition, the variation in prices paid by some borrowers has led to concerns that price disparities may reflect illegal discrimination rather than legitimate cost and risk-related factors. Home loan price data disclosed in 2005 for the first time under the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act show that African-American and Hispanic borrowers obtain higher-priced mortgage loans more frequently than do white and Asian borrowers, and obtain loans from lenders that specialize in higher-priced loans more frequently than do other groups. 3 These differences may reflect legitimate distinctions among the credit characteristics of borrowers, or may be the result of other factors. The Board would like to use the hearings to gather information about borrowers' knowledge and shopping behavior in the subprime market that may stimulate additional research in this area. 3 In the case of conventional first-lien home-purchase loans extended in 2004, 32.4 percent of African-Americans and 20.3 percent of Hispanic whites obtained higher priced-loans, compared to 8.7 percent of non-Hispanic whites and 5.9 percent of Asians. More information about these findings and the HMDA data in general, is available on the Board's Web site at *http://www.federalrserve.gov/pubs/bulletin/2005/summer05_hmda.pdf,* and *http://www.federalreserve.gov/boarddocs/press/bcreg/2005/20050331/default.htm.* The growth of the subprime market has also raised concerns about consumers' understanding of the role of mortgage brokers. Some consumer advocates have asserted that because brokers' fees are based on the amount of a loan, brokers may encourage consumers to obtain mortgage products that enable consumers to obtain larger loans without providing information about the risks for those products or other mortgage products that might better meet the consumer's needs. The hearings will be used to gather information about the role of brokers, to assist the Board in identifying new consumer education strategies, and to enable the Board to provide informed consultation with Congress and other agencies on possible legislative and non-legislative measures that might improve consumer understanding and protection in this area. The Board solicits comment on the following questions regarding consumers in the subprime loan market: 1. How do consumers who get higher-priced loans shop for those loans? How do they select a particular lender? 2. What do consumers understand about the role of mortgage brokers in offering mortgage products? Has their understanding been furthered by state-required mortgage broker disclosures? 3. What strategies have been helpful in educating consumers about their options in the mortgage market? What efforts are needed to help educate consumers about the mortgage credit process and how to shop and compare loan terms and fees? 4. What are some of the “best practices” that lenders, mortgage brokers, consumer advocates and community development groups have employed to help consumers understand the mortgage market and their loan choices? 5. What explains the differences in borrowing patterns among racial and ethnic groups? How much are the patterns attributable to differences in credit history and other underwriting factors such as loan-to-value? What other factors may explain these patterns? By order of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, May 1, 2006. Jennifer J. Johnson, Secretary of the Board. [FR Doc. E6-6803 Filed 5-4-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6210-01-P DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Request for Applications for the In Community Spirit—Prevention of HIV/AIDS for Native/American Indian and Alaska Native Women Living in Rural and Frontier Indian Country Program AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, Office of Public Health and Science, Office on Women's Health, HHS. ACTION: Notice. *Announcement Type:* Cooperative Agreement—FY 2006 Initial announcement. *OMB Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance:* The OMB Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number is 93.015. DATES: Application availability May 5, 2006. Applications due by 5 p.m. eastern time June 5, 2006. SUMMARY: This program is authorized by 42. U.S.C. 300u-2(a). The Office on Women's Health

(OWH)is the focal point for women's health within the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). Under the direction of the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Women's Health, OWH provides leadership to promote health equity for women and girls through gender-specific approaches. To that end, OWH has established public/private partnerships to address critical women's health issues nationwide. These include supporting collaborative efforts to provide accurate prevention education to Native/American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) women living in rural 1 and frontier Indian Country. The emphasis of these efforts is on prevention education covering the full spectrum of primary and secondary prevention adapted to a female centered perspective. This initiative is intended to pilot a collaborative partnership approach between the grantee and local health or social service providers, e.g., community health centers, rural health centers, family planning clinics, Indian Health Service

(IHS)facilities, 2 Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), community based organizations, faith based organizations, public assistance programs, and local health departments. 1 Access: *http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/graphics/rural-urban.htm* for definitions. 2 *http:///www.ihs.gov/Facilities* for locations. The partnership is expected to be a viable strategy for identifying and educating Native/American Indian and Alaska Native women in a culturally appropriate manner that reduces denial, demystifies stigma, clarifies false information, and increases knowledge for self-protection and access to counseling and testing resources. It is expected that the prevention education pilot will provide accurate, culturally and linguistically appropriate information to women at risk for or living with HIV/AIDS in Indian Country. Also, it is expected that the program model will integrate the strengths of traditions, values, culture, and spirituality of the indigenous communities of the target population. The OWH HIV/AIDS program began in 1999 with funding from the Minority AIDS Fund (formerly Minority AIDS Initiative) to address the gaps in services provided to women who are at risk or living with HIV. Since the inception of the HIV/AIDS programs, the program focus has expanded from two to seven. These programs include:

(1)HIV Prevention for Women Living in the Rural South,

(2)Prevention and Support for Incarcerated/ Newly Released Women,

(3)Model Mentorship for Strengthening Organizational Capacity,

(4)HIV Prevention for Young Women Attending Minority Institutions (e.g. Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic Serving Institutions, and Tribal Colleges and Universities),

(5)HIV Prevention for Women Living in the U.S. Virgin Islands,

(6)Prevention and Support for HIV Positive Women Living in Puerto Rico, and

(7)Intergenerational Approaches to HIV/AIDS Prevention Education with Women across the Lifespan. Funding will be directed at activities designed to improve the delivery of services to women disproportionately impacted by HIV/AIDS. I. Funding Opportunity Description The primary purpose of this OWH HIV/AIDS program is to increase HIV prevention knowledge and reduce the risk of contracting HIV among Native/American Indian and Alaska Native women living in Indian Country. The goals for this program are: • Develop and sustain HIV prevention services to increase awareness of and receptivity to HIV prevention information among AI/AN women living in rural and frontier Indian Country experiencing high rates of HIV infection within female populations. • Develop gender specific education and prevention training modules on critical HIV/AIDS primary and secondary prevention/education information. (CDC recommended effective interventions may be used as well as adapted interventions which demonstrate core elements of interventions with evidence of effectiveness. 3 ) 3 Compendium of HIV Prevention Interventions with Evidence of Effectiveness, CDC's HIV/AIDS Prevention Research Synthesis Project, November 1999. • Implement education and prevention training modules that are culturally and linguistically appropriate, building on strengths of traditions, values, culture, and spirituality of indigenous communities of AI/AN women living in Indian Country. The OWH hopes to fulfill this purpose by providing funding to community-based organizations to enhance their prevention and support activities to Native/American Indian and Alaska Native women. The proposed program must address false HIV information, stigma, denial, knowledge, self-protection behaviors, and the importance of knowing one's seropositive status. A gender specific approach shall be an integral element of the piloted intervention. Information and services provided must be culturally and linguistically appropriate for the individuals for whom the information and services are intended. Women's health issues are defined in the context of women's lives, including their multiple social roles and the importance of relationships with other people to their lives. This definition of women's health encompasses mental, dental, and physical health, and spans the life course. In addition, women's health to indigenous communities may be influenced by traditions, values, culture, and spirituality. The objectives of the OWH program are to: 1. Increase knowledge of accurate HIV prevention information among women living in Indian Country. 2. Improve and increase access to quality HIV prevention services to women living with or at high risk for HIV infection in rural and frontier Indian Country. 3. Improve receptivity to and awareness of HIV prevention education necessary to reduce the stigma among women in rural and frontier Indian Country. 4. Increase the number of women living in rural and frontier Indian Country voluntarily receiving HIV testing. In order to achieve the objectives of the program the grantee shall:

(1)Establish partnership(s) with local entities after reviewing city/county/State data on HIV incidence among women populations, exploring challenges and trends which enable risks and vulnerabilities of women living in rural and frontier Indian Country.

(2)Develop and implement a gender specific model “education and prevention counseling” program to provide accurate prevention education to women living in rural and frontier Indian Country. Culture, language, and indigenous traditions and values of rural and frontier Indian Country populations are considerations for appropriate program components.

(3)Develop prevention education training modules on critical HIV/AIDS primary and secondary prevention and education information. An existing module may be selected if adaptation to culture, traditions, and values to target population are clearly outlined. Integration of the ABC 4 — *A* bstinence, *B* eing Faithful, *C* ondoms model is encouraged.

(4)Establish Memoranda of Understanding with tribal entities, local health care entities, social services, local small businesses, community and faith based organizations as partners to implement referral coordination for counseling, HIV testing, well woman screenings, and other social service needs. In addition, the grantee shall submit reports outlining program activities (e.g., recruitment, participant retention), which reflect how its implementation process reflected an understanding of the realities of women's lives and addressed the issues of the participants to motivate continued participation. Finally, the grantee shall develop a plan to continue the program activities and community linkages beyond OWH funding and shall illustrate how program performance addressed community needs and the needs of women living in rural and frontier Indian Country. 4 USAID. The “ABCs” of HIV prevention: Report of a USAID technical meeting on behavior change approaches to primary prevention of HIV/AIDS. Washington, DC: Population, Health and Nutrition Information Project, 2003. *http://www.usaid.gov/our_work/global_health/aids/TechAreas/prevention/abc.pdf.* The grantee is encouraged to attend at least one national or regional HIV/AIDS Conference (e.g. U.S. Conference on AIDS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National HIV Prevention Conference, etc.), and to seek updates in HIV prevention strategies, therapies, and priority activities as advised by the CDC, Health Resources and Services Administration, and other public health experts. II. Award Information The OWH program will be supported through the cooperative agreement mechanism. Using this mechanism, the OWH anticipates making three 2-year awards in FY 2006. The anticipated start date for new awards is September 01, 2006, and the anticipated period of performance is September 01, 2006 through August 31, 2008. Approximately $240,000 is available to make awards of up to $80,000 total cost (direct and indirect) for a 12-month period and OWH anticipates that $160,000 will be available for the 2-year project period. However, the actual number of awards made will depend upon the quality of the applications received and the amount of funds available for the program. Noncompeting continuation awards of up to $80,000 (total cost) per year will be made subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funds. The program is a collaborative effort between the OWH , the Office of HIV/AIDS Policy, OPHS and the Indian Health Service, DHHS. These offices will provide the technical assistance and oversight necessary for the implementation, conduct, and assessment of program activities. The applicant shall: 1. Develop and implement the pilot described in the application. 2. Provide complete curricula, i.e. topics, content, participant workbook, participant evaluation forms, pre/post instruments, and goals/objectives. 3. Describe training, teaching methods and strategies, e.g., interactive exercises, facilitated discussion, lectures, video/films, community peers, etc., proposed to deliver modules. Describe the intervention format: one time session, series of sessions occurring beyond one day, one day session, etc. 4. Conduct outreach to local entities and community representatives. Identify locations for prevention education sites and identify community liaisons for assistance in identifying prospective women participants. 5. Conduct local evaluation of performance activities. 6. Establish community partnerships through Memoranda of Understanding. 7. Participate in special meetings and projects/funding opportunities identified by the OWH. 8. Adhere to all program requirements specified in this announcement and the Notice of Grant Award. 9. Submit required quarterly progress, annual, and financial reports by the due dates stated in this announcement and the Notice of Grant Award. 10. Comply with the DHHS Protection of Human Subjects regulations (which require obtaining Institutional Review Board approval), set out at 45 CFR part 46, if applicable. General information about Human Subjects regulations can be obtained through the Office for Human Research Protections

(OHRP)at *http://www.hhs.gov/ohrp* , *ohrp@osophs.dhhs.gov* , or toll free at

(866)447-4777. The Federal Government will: 1. Conduct an Orientation meeting for the grantees within the first month of funding. 2. Conduct at least one site visit which includes some observation of program progress. 3. Review and approve the prevention education curricula. 4 Review all quarterly, annual, and final progress reports. 5. Review timeline and implementation plan. 6. Provide technical assistance via federal partner programs, community resources, and OWH partners and resources. The DHHS is committed to achieving the health promotion and disease prevention Objectives of Healthy People 2010 and the Healthier U.S. Initiative. Emphasis will be placed on aligning OWH activities and programs with the DHHS Secretary's four priority areas—heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and HIV/AIDS—and with the Healthy People 2010: Goal 2—eliminating health disparities due to age, gender, race/ethnicity, education, income, disability, or living in rural localities. Applicants are encouraged to indicate the Healthy People 2010 objectives this activity will address. More information on the Healthy People 2010 objectives may be found on the Healthy People 2010 Web site: *http://www.health.gov/healthypeople.* Also, Steps to a HealthierUS is a bold new initiative from the Department that advances the goal of helping Americans live longer, better, and healthier lives. To help implement the Healthier U.S. initiative, the Department launched the Steps to a HealthierUS program. It lays out DHHS priorities and programs for Steps to a HealthierUS, focusing attention on the importance of prevention and promising approaches for promoting healthy environments. More information on these initiatives is available at *http://www.HealthierUS.gov.* III. Eligibility Information 1. Eligible Applicants Eligible entities may include: not for profit community-based organizations, national organizations, colleges and universities, clinics and hospitals, research institutions, State and local government agencies, tribal government and tribal/urban Indian entities and organizations. Faith-based organizations are eligible to apply. *Preference will be given to:* 1. Organizations indicating history of serving Native/American Indian and Alaska Native rural women, poor women, and women living with HIV/AIDS or whose lifestyles place them at high risk for HIV/STD infection. 2. Cost Share or Matching Cost sharing, matching funds, and cost participation is not a requirement for this grant. IV. Application and Submission Information 1. Application Package Application kits may be requested by calling

(240)453-8822 or writing to: Office of Grants Management, OPHS, DHHS, 1101 Wootton Parkway, Suite 550, Rockville, MD 20852. Applications must be prepared using Form OPHS-1. Applicants may fax a written request to the OPHS Office of Grants Management to obtain a hard copy of the application kit at 240-453-8823. 2. Content and Format of Application and Submission All completed applications must be submitted to the OPHS Office of Grants Management at the above mailing address. In preparing the application, it is important to follow ALL instructions provided in the application kit. Applications must be submitted on the forms supplied (OPHS-1, Revised 6/2001) and in the manner prescribed in the application kits provided by the OPHS. Applicants are required to submit an application 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. The program narrative should not be longer than 25 double-spaced pages, not including appendices and required forms, using an easily readable, 12 point font. All pages, figures and tables should be numbered. 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 necessary to obtain one. Instructions for obtaining a DUNS number are included in the application package, and may be downloaded from the Web site *https://www.dnb.com/product/eupdate/requestOptions.html.* At a minimum, each application for a cooperative agreement grant funded under this OWH announcement must: • Present a plan outlining steps to develop and implement a gender specific pilot program using an evidenced based effective intervention with trainers capable of providing accurate prevention information in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner to Native/American Indian and Alaska Native women living in rural and frontier Indian Country. • Provide signed Memoranda of Agreement(s) with partners to establish linkages to identify women participants, location of prevention education sites, and for referral to available services for the targeted population based upon prevention, care, counseling, HIV testing, and social service needs. Detail/specify the roles and resources/services that each partner organization brings to the program, the duration and terms of agreement as confirmed by a signed MOU/MOA between the applicant organization and each partner. The partnership agreement(s) (MOU/MOA) must name the individual who will work with the program, describe their function, and state their qualifications. The documents, specific to each organization (form letters are not acceptable), must be signed by individuals with the authority to represent and bind the organization (e.g., president, chief executive officer, executive director) and submitted as part of the grant application. • Demonstrate the ways the organization and the prevention education services that are coordinated through its partners are gender and age appropriate, women-focused, women-friendly, women-relevant, as well as culturally and linguistically appropriate to the target population. • Be a sustainable organization with an established network of partners capable of providing and coordinating a gender specific prevention education pilot program in the targeted community. The partners and their roles and responsibilities to the program must be clearly identified in the application. • Demonstrate that any prevention intervention (including prevention for positives) contains the core elements of interventions with evidence of effectiveness. (See Compendium of HIV Prevention Interventions with Evidence of Effectiveness, from CDC's HIV/AIDS Prevention Research Synthesis Project, Nov. 1999; see CDC's HIV Prevention Strategic Plan Through 2005). • Provide a time line and workplan for program implementation for Year 1 and Year 2, presented in correlation to goals, objectives, and expected outcomes or targets. • Describe in detail plans for the local evaluation of the program and when and how the evaluation will be used to enhance the program. Format and Limitations of Application: Applicants are required to submit an original ink-signed and dated application and 2 photocopies. All pages must be numbered clearly and sequentially beginning with the Project Summary. The application must be typed double-spaced on one side of plain 8 1/2 ″ x 11″ white paper, using at least a 12 point font, and contain 1″ margins all around. The Project Summary and Project Narrative must not exceed a total of *25* double-spaced pages, excluding the appendices. The original and each copy must be stapled; the application should be organized in accordance with the format presented in the RFA. An outline for the minimum information to be included in the “Project Narrative” section is presented below. The content requirements for the Project Narrative portion of the application are divided into five sections and described below within each Factor. Applicants must pay particular attention to structuring the narrative to respond clearly and fully to each review Factor and associated criteria. Applications not adhering to these guidelines may not be reviewed. I. Background (Understanding of the Problem) A. Organization's goals and purpose(s). B. Demographic profile and HIV prevalence of target rural and frontier Indian Country community and counties with discussion of local norms, tradition, and culture of targeted population. C. Local needs assessment and gaps in services, e.g., prevention, care, and social services for targeted population. D. Local program objectives: 1. Tied to program goal(s). 2. Measurable with time frame. E. Organizational charts that include partners and a discussion of the proposed resources to be contributed by the partners, personnel and their expertise and how their involvement will help achieve the program goals. II. Implementation Plan (Approach) A. Discuss gender specific program elements. B. Describe curriculum and its appropriateness for target population. C. Describe local evaluation tools, indicators of increased knowledge, reduction in attitudes/stigma, and an increase number voluntarily undergoing HIV testing. D. Partnerships and referral system/follow up. III. Management Plan A. Key project staff, their resumes, and a staffing chart for budgeted staff. B. To-be-hired staff and their qualifications. C. Staff responsibilities. D. Management experience of the lead agency and partners as related to their role in the program. E. Management oversight of staff roles and job performance. F. Address maintenance of confidentiality, ethics in performance, and on-going staff training. G. Explain decision making hierarchy. IV. Local Evaluation Plan A. Purpose. B. Describe tools and procedures for measuring strengths and weaknesses. C. Use of results to enhance programs. D. Indicators that reflect goals/objectives are being met. V. Organizational Agency Qualifications A. Agency history of performance in prevention education, *e.g.* developing/adapting prevention education curricula, training skills and expertise, certification in specific training modules, measuring participant learning and satisfaction. B. Agency relationships, past and current, with women focused programs, tribal leaders and entities, local health and social services providers, and community based organizations and representatives. C. Community acceptance: staff recognition, media, requests for agency involvement. D. Technical Assistance plans/strategies. Appendices A. Memorandums of Agreement/Understanding/Partnership Letters. B. Required Forms (Assurance of Compliance Form, etc.). C. Key Staff Resumes. D. Charts/Tables (Partners, services, population demographics, program components, etc.). E. Other attachments. *Use of Funds:* A majority of the funds from the award must be used to support staff and efforts aimed at implementing the program. The Program Coordinator, or the person responsible for the day-to-day management of the program, must devote at least a 75 percent level of effort to the program. Funds may also be used to transfer the lessons learned/successful strategies/gender specific approaches from the program (technical assistance) through activities such as showcasing the program at conferences, meetings, and workshops; providing direct technical assistance to other communities; and providing technical assistance to other community organizations, or through their professional organizations, interested in working with women living in rural and frontier Indian Country who are living with HIV/AIDS or who are at high risk for HIV/STD infection. These may include either process-based lessons (i.e., How to bring multiple sectors of community partners together) or outcomes-based lessons (i.e., How to increase the number of Native women who voluntarily undergo HIV testing). Funds may be used for personnel, consultants, supplies (including screening, education, and outreach supplies), and grant related travel. Funds may *not* be used for construction, building alterations, equipment, medical treatment, or renovations. All budget requests must be justified fully in terms of the proposed goals and objectives and include an itemized computational explanation/breakout of how costs were determined. *Meetings:* The OWH will convene grantees once a year for orientation. The meeting will be held in the Washington metropolitan area or in one of the ten

(10)DHHS regional office cities. The budget should include a request for funds to pay for the travel, lodging, and meals. The meeting is usually held within the first six weeks post award. 3. Submission Date and Time 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 grant application submissions must be submitted no later than 5 p.m. eastern time on the deadline date specified in the DATES section of the announcement using one of the electronic submission mechanisms specified below. 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. Application submissions that do not adhere to the due date requirements will be considered late and will be deemed ineligible. 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 organizations with the ability to submit applications for OPHS grant opportunities. Organizations must successfully complete the necessary registration processes in order to submit an application. Information about this system is available on the Grants.gov Web site, *http://www.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, 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 and the obligations imposed by the terms and conditions of the grant award. Electronic applications submitted via the Grants.gov Web site Portal must contain all completed online forms required by the application kit, the Program Narrative, Budget Narrative and any appendices or exhibits. All required mail-in items must received by the due date requirements specified above. Mail-In items may only include publications, resumes, or organizational documentation. 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 should contact Grants.gov regarding any questions or concerns regarding the electronic application process conducted through the Grants.gov Web site Portal. 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. When submitting applications via the OPHS eGrants system, 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 and assume 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 (e.g., Program Certifications) with the original signature of an individual authorized to act for the applicant agency. Electronic applications submitted via the OPHS eGrants system must contain all completed online forms required by the application kit, the Program Narrative, Budget Narrative and any appendices or exhibits. The applicant may identify specific mail-in items to be sent to the Office of Grants Management separate from the electronic submission; however these mail-in items must be entered on the eGrants Application Checklist at the time of electronic submission, and must be received by the due date requirements specified above. Mail-In items may only include publications, resumes, or organizational documentation. 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 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. 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. 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 This program is subject to the Public Health Systems Reporting Requirements. Under these requirements, a community-based non-governmental applicant must prepare and submit a Public Health System Impact Statement (PHSIS). Applicants shall submit a copy of the application face page (SF-424) and a one page summary of the project, called the Public Health System Impact Statement. The PHSIS is intended to provide information to State and local health officials to keep them apprised on proposed health services grant applications submitted by community-based, non-governmental organizations within their jurisdictions. Community-based, non-governmental applicants are required to submit, no later than the Federal due date for receipt of the application, the following information to the head of the appropriate State and local health agencies in the area(s) to be impacted:

(a)a copy of the face page of the application (SF 424),

(b)a summary of the project (PHSIS), not to exceed one page, which provides:

(1)a description of the population to be served,

(2)a summary of the services to be provided, and

(3)a description of the coordination planned with the appropriate State or local health agencies. Copies of the letters forwarding the PHSIS to these authorities must be contained in the application materials submitted to the OWH. This program is also subject to the requirements of Executive Order 12372 that allows States the option of setting up a system for reviewing applications from within their States for assistance under certain Federal programs. The application kit to be made available under this notice will contain a listing of States that have chosen to set up a review system and will include a State Single Point of Contact

(SPOC)in the State for review. Applicants (other than federally recognized Indian tribes) should contact their SPOCs as early as possible to alert them to the prospective applications and receive any necessary instructions on the State process. For proposed projects serving more than one State, the applicant is advised to contact the SPOC in each affected State. A complete list of SPOCs may be found at the following Web site: *http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html* . The due date for State process recommendations is 60 days after the application deadline. The OWH does not guarantee that it will accommodate or explain its responses to State process recommendations received after that date. (See “Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs,” Executive Order 12372, and 45 CFR part 100 for a description of the review process and requirements.) 5. Funding Restrictions Funds may not be used for construction, building alterations, equipment purchase, medical treatment, renovations, or to purchase food. 6. Other Submission Requirements None. V. Application Review Information 1. Criteria The objective/technical review of applications will consider the following factors: Factor 1: Implementation /Approach—30% This section must discuss: 1. Appropriateness of the existing community resources and linkages established to deliver accurate prevention education to meet the requirements of the program. Describe other community providers that will be affiliated with the program and their role in service delivery. 2. Appropriateness of proposed approach, e.g., evidence based intervention and specific activities described to address program objectives. 3. Gender specific elements of proposed process. 4. Soundness of evaluation objectives for measuring program effectiveness, impact of prevention education on knowledge and behavior, and understanding the importance of knowing one's status. 5. Appropriate MOUs or Letters of Intent should support assertions made in this section. Factor 2: Management Plan—20% This section must discuss: 1. Applicant organization's capability to manage the project as determined by the qualifications of the proposed staff or requirements for “to be hired” staff; 2. Proposed staff level of effort; management experience of the lead agency; and the experience, resources, and role of each partner organization as it relates to the needs and programs/activities of the program; 3. Staff experience as it relates to meeting the needs of the community and populations served; and 4. Position descriptions, resumes of key staff, and a staffing chart should be included in the appendix. Factor 3: Organizational/Agency Qualifications—20% This section should include demonstrated knowledge of prevention education intervention models, relationships with Native/American and Alaska Native women living in rural and frontier Indian Country communities, and agency history of services to indigenous Indian Country women populations, poor women, minority women, HIV infected individuals, and HIV infected women. Factor 4: Background/Understanding of the Problem—15% This section must discuss: 1. Description of the current state of affairs for women living in rural and frontier Indian Country communities regarding HIV prevalence, socio-economic status, access to HIV testing, stigma, and availability of HIV prevention education in addition to the review of issues for women living in the program target rural community. 2. Relevance of organizational goals and purpose(s) to community and local needs. 3. Challenges women face in seeking culturally and linguistically appropriate HIV education, counseling, and testing in the target community and surrounding areas. 4. Outreach, logistics, and stigma issues impacting the target community. Factor 5: Evaluation Plan—15% This section must discuss: Provide a clear statement of program goal(s), feasibility and appropriateness of the local evaluation plan, analysis of results, and procedures to determine if the program goals are met. *Review and Selection Process:* Funding decisions will be made by the OWH, and will take into consideration the recommendations and ratings of the review panel, program needs, geographic location, stated preferences, and the recommendations of DHHS Regional Women's Health Coordinators (RWHC). VI. Award Administration Information 1. Award Notices Successful applicants will receive a notification letter from the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health (Women's Health) and a Notice of Grant Award (NGA), signed by the OPHS Grants Management Officer. The NGA shall be the only binding, authorizing document between the recipient and the OWH. Notification will be mailed to the Program Director identified in the application. Unsuccessful applicants will receive a notification letter with the results of the review of their application from the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health (Women's Health). 2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements The regulations set out at 45 CFR parts 74 and 92 are the Department of Health and Human Services

(HHS)rules and requirements that govern the administration of grants. Part 74 is applicable to all recipients except those covered by part 92, which governs awards to State and local governments. Applicants funded under this announcement must be aware of and comply with these regulations. The CFR volume that includes parts 74 and 92 may be downloaded from *http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/45cfrv1_03.html* . The DHHS 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, all 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 or program that will be financed by non-governmental sources. 3. Reporting In addition to those listed above, a successful applicant will submit quarterly progress reports and an annual report that includes a summary of the local evaluation and a discussion of steps taken to implement each component of the program and the impact of the program on the targeted community/population, an annual Financial Status Report, a final Progress Report, a final Financial Status Report in the format established by the OWH, in accordance with provisions of the general regulations which apply under “Monitoring and Reporting Program Performance,” 45 CFR parts 74 and 92. The purpose of the progress reports is to provide accurate and timely program information to program managers and to respond to Congressional, Departmental, and public requests for information about the program. An original and two copies of the progress report(s) must be submitted by January 10, April 10, July 10, and August 15. If these dates fall on a Saturday or Sunday, the report will be due on the following Monday. The last quarterly report will serve as the annual progress report and must describe all project activities for the entire year. The annual progress report must be submitted by August 15 of each year and will serve as the non-competing continuation application. This report must include the budget request for the next grant year, with appropriate justification, and be submitted using Form OPHS-1. A Financial Status Report

(FSR)SF-269 is due 90 days after the close of each 12 month budget period. VII. Agency Contact(s) • For application kits and information on budget and business aspects of the application, please contact: Eric West, Associate Grants Management Officer, Office of Grants Management, Office of Public Health and Science, DHHS, 1101 Wootton Parkway, Suite 550, Rockville, MD 20857, Telephone:

(240)453-8822, Fax:

(240)453-8823. • Questions regarding programmatic information and/or requests for technical assistance in the preparation of the grant application should be directed in writing to: Ms. Mary L. Bowers, Public Health Advisor, Office on Women's Health, Office of Public Health and Science, DHHS, Humphrey Building, Room 712E, 200 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20201, Telephone: 202-260-0020, E-mail: *mbowers@osophs.dhhs.gov* . VIII. Other Information Three

(3)In Community Spirit HIV Prevention projects are currently funded by the OWH. Information about these programs may be found at the following Web site: *http://www.womenshealth.gov/owh/fund/index.htm* . Definitions For the purposes of this cooperative agreement program, the following definitions are provided: *AIDS:* Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease in which the body's immune system breaks down and is unable to fight off certain infections and other illnesses that take advantage of a weakened immune system. *Community-based:* The locus of control and decision-making powers is located at the community level, representing the service area of the community or a significant segment of the community. *Community-based organization:* Public and private, nonprofit organizations that are representative of communities or significant segments of communities. *Community health center:* A community-based organization that provides comprehensive primary care and preventive services to medically underserved populations. This includes but is not limited to programs reimbursed through the Federally Qualified Health Centers mechanism, Migrant Health Centers, Primary Care Public Housing Health Centers, Healthcare for the Homeless Centers, and other community-based health centers. *Comprehensive women's health services:* Services including, but going beyond traditional reproductive health services to address the health needs of underserved women in the context of their lives, including recognition of the importance of relationships in women's lives, and the fact that women play the role of health providers and decision-makers for the family. Services include basic primary care services; acute, chronic, and preventive services including gender and age-appropriate preventive services; mental and dental health services; patient education and counseling; promotion of healthy behaviors (like nutrition, smoking cessation, substance abuse services, and physical activity); and enabling services. Ancillary services are also provided such as laboratory tests, X-ray, environmental, social referral, and pharmacy services. *Culturally competent:* Information and services provided at the educational level and in the language and cultural context that are most appropriate for the individuals for whom the information and services are intended. Additional information on cultural competency is available at the following Web site: *http://www.aoa.dhhs.gov/May2001/factsheets/Cultural-Competency.html* . *Cultural perspective:* Recognizes that culture, language, and country of origin have an important and significant impact on the health perceptions and health behaviors that produce a variety of health outcomes. *Enabling services:* Services that help women access health care, such as transportation, parking vouchers, translation, child care, and case management. *Gender-Specific:* An approach which considers the social and environmental context in which women live and therefore structures information, activities, program priorities, and service delivery systems to complement those factors. Healthy People 2010: A set of national health objectives that outlines the prevention agenda for the Nation. Healthy People 2010 identify the most significant preventable threats to health and establishes national goals for the next ten years. Individuals, groups, and organizations are encouraged to integrate Healthy People 2010 into current programs, special events, publications, and meetings. Businesses can use the framework, for example, to guide worksite health promotion activities as well as community-based initiatives. Schools, colleges, and civic and faith-based organizations can undertake activities to further the health of all members of their community. Health care providers can encourage their patients to pursue healthier lifestyles and to participate in community-based programs. By selecting from among the national objectives, individuals and organizations can build an agenda for community health improvement and can monitor results over time. More information on the Healthy People 2010 objectives may be found on the Healthy People 2010 Web site: *http://www.health.gov/healthypeople* . *HIV:* The human immunodeficiency virus that causes AIDS. *Holistic:* Looking at women's health from the perspective of the whole person and not as a group of different body parts. It includes dental, mental, as well as physical health. *Indian Country:* All land within the limits of any Indian reservation under the jurisdiction of the United States Government, notwithstanding the issuance of any patent, and including rights-of-way running through the reservation; all dependent Indian communities within the borders of the United States whether within the original or subsequently acquired territory thereof, and whether within or without the limits of a State; and all Indian allotments, the Indian titles to which have not been extinguished, including rights of way running through the same (18 U.S.C. 1151). *Lifespan:* Recognizes that women have different health and psychosocial needs as they encounter transitions across their lives and that the positive and negative effects of health and health behaviors are cumulative across a woman's life. *Prevention education:* Accurate information to increase knowledge of methods and behaviors to keep individuals from becoming infected with HIV. Dated: April 28, 2006. Wanda K. Jones, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health, (Women's Health). [FR Doc. 06-4210 Filed 5-4-06; 8:45 am]

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