10A NCAC 39A .0505. APPLICATIONS FOR PROGRAM FUNDS

(a)  Applications for program funds shall be accepted, reviewed, and approved or disapproved two times each fiscal year on a schedule established by the program.

(b)  An application for program funds must include a brief plan which describes clearly and concisely information on:

(1)           Background and Need:

(A)          Political subdivisions included in the project.

(B)          Structure of the applicant agency.

(C)          Current population demographic data.

(D)          Morbidity and mortality data.

(E)           Rationale for selection of specific target populations.

(F)           Facilities and resources which are or will be available to implement the program.

(G)          Interrelationship with other state assisted programs, and other appropriate groups and agencies.

(2)           Project Objectives:

(A)          Identify objectives which the applicant proposes to be included as an addendum to the contract between the program and the contractor.

(B)          The objectives, where possible, must be specific, measurable, and realistic.

(C)          The objectives must relate to outcomes which can be described on a community level or specific target group.

(3)           Intervention Activities:

(A)          A list of all intervention activities to be provided by the applicant and a description of any contractual or other arrangements entered into or planned for the provision of intervention activities.

(B)          Client eligibility criteria, if any is planned.

(C)          The schedule of fees or payments and schedule of discounts for services provided by the applicant, if any is planned.

(D)          Proposed protocols for intervention activity services, if applicable. Such protocols shall include, at a minimum:

(i)            identification and recruitment of target populations;

(ii)           screening;

(iii)          diagnosis;

(iv)          treatment;

(v)           referral.

(4)           Quality Assurance.  The applicant must set forth a plan to periodically monitor and evaluate the implementation and effectiveness of applied methodologies.  The plan must describe:

(A)          Organizational arrangements, including a focus of responsibility, to support the quality assurance program and the provision of high quality health promotion and disease prevention services.

(B)          Periodic assessment of the appropriateness and the quality of services provided to persons and to the community served by the applicant.  Such assessments shall:

(i)            Be conducted by qualified health professionals or under the supervision of such professionals.

(ii)           Be based on a systematic collection and evaluation of client records and administrative and management information and recordkeeping.

(iii)          Identify and document needed changes in the provision of services and shall identify steps for implementing programmatic change, where indicated.

(5)           Budget:

(A)          Itemized budget.

(B)          Allocation of shared personnel costs.

(C)          Narrative description and justification of all budget items.

(c)  The program may provide program funds for health promotion and disease prevention services which best promote the purposes of the program.  In making the determination of which applications to approve for funding, each proposal will be judged on its own merits in competition with all the other proposals submitted to the program.  The application will have the best opportunity of success if the need for the activity has been carefully assessed and if the activity can be successfully completed in a reasonable period of time.  Proposals will be judged according to the following criteria:

(1)           Are the program objectives specific, measurable, and realistic?

(2)           Do proposed activities follow a logical pattern to achieve the stated program objectives?

(3)           Are the program objectives and intervention strategies based upon well‑defined problems derived from baseline data and other available information?

(4)           Does the request for program funds provide a clear understanding of whom the program will serve and who is responsible for various activities?

(5)           Is there conformity and linkage with the program and other appropriate voluntary organiza­tions, professional societies, etc. and are there plans to effectively utilize their resources?

(6)           Will achievement of the program objectives result in new knowledge, techniques, and services that can be utilized by the state and community programs?

(7)           Is the quality assurance plan adequate to monitor and control program outcomes, impacts, and processes?

(8)           Other pertinent factors.

(d)  Final decisions shall be made and communicated to applicants within 45 days of the deadline established for submission of applications for program funds.

(e)  A contract shall be signed with each applicant who is approved for funding.  The number and type of services to be provided under the contract will be negotiated annually with each contractor, approved by the program, and included as an addendum to the contract.  Contracts may be renewed upon expiration of the contract period upon determination of a continuing need for services in the area served, contractor performance, and the availability of funds.  Continuation applications must include completed performance reports as required by the program.

 

History Note:        Authority G.S. 130A‑223;

Eff. January 1, 1985;

Amended Eff. September 1, 1990.