February 13, 2015
The US Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Adolescent Health (OAH) has released a Funding Opportunity Announcement for “Replicating Evidence-Based Teen Pregnancy Prevention Programs to Scale in Communities with the Greatest Need,” available here. The proposal is due by April 1, 2015.
According to the FOA, “The goal is to have a significant impact on reducing rates of teen pregnancy and existing disparities by replicating evidence-based TPP programs to scale in at least 3 settings in communities and with populations at greatest need. Applicants can propose to work in a single community or in multiple communities. Each target community must be defined by clear geographic boundaries in order to assure that the number of youth served can be identified and teen pregnancy and/or teen birth rates can be monitored throughout the project.” Greatest need is defined as having a teen birth rate greater than 26.6 births for every 1,000 adolescent females ages 15-19. The OAH expects approximately 60 awards to be made nationwide, and all applicants will serve a minimum of 700 new (unduplicated) youth per year using an approved TPP curriculum listed in the FOA.
This FOA requires a needs assessment to be completed prior to the submission of the proposal, as well as the inclusion of a logic model and a work plan in the proposal. Once awarded, applicants are required to (from the FOA):
“Mobilize the community to develop and implement a plan to prevent teen pregnancy and promote positive youth development
Engage in an up to 12-month planning, piloting, and readiness period
Implement evidence-based TPP programs to scale with fidelity and quality in at least settings
Ensure that program materials are medically accurate, age appropriate, culturally and linguistically appropriate, and inclusive of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning (LGBTQ) youth
Ensure that programs are implemented in a safe and supportive environment for youth and their families
Establish and maintain linkages and referrals to youth-friendly health care services
Engage in strategic dissemination and communication activities to raise awareness of the program with youth, their families, and key stakeholders
Develop and implement a plan for sustainability to ensure continuation of program efforts beyond the grant
Collect and use performance measure data to make continuous quality improvements
Evaluate the implementation and outcomes of program activities.”
Via Evaluation has experience in all of these areas. We have conducted numerous needs assessments required for grant submissions that have resulted in grant awards. We have also completed logic models and grant evaluation components for many successful federal grant applications. Finally, Via Evaluation has worked with many communities and organizations to develop logic models for programs and federal, state, and foundation grant proposals.
Dr. Gary Ciurczak and other members of Via Evaluation would like to join your team and assist you by providing necessary support for submitting a winning proposal. Contact us at (716) 362-0627 soon if you are interested in reviewing these possibilities. We look forward to hearing from you.
