Program-Related Questions

Q1: Please define institutionalization of surveillance.
A1: Institutionalizing surveillance occurs when data administration and collection become a part of the site’s system, and the data is used to inform and improve program activities.

Q2: There is a link referred to in the FOA to see the data tiers; however, I cannot locate that information on the CDC Web site. We are wondering how our agency was ranked. I am wondering where the data was collected from and how this determination was made.
A2: The tiers for the SEA are separate from the tiers for the LEA. The SEA are placed in three tiers and the LEA in two tiers. A detailed explanation can be found for data tiers in a document titled, Limited Eligibility Justification [pdf 194K] found in the Application-Related Resources section on the Resources page.

Q3: The application requires three Letters of Commitment (LOC) from “partner agencies and/or organizations.” What defines the partner agencies and/or organizations?
A3: The applicant determines which agencies and/or organizations will be its “partners,” and requests LOC from these agencies and/or organizations. See Section E. Eligibility Information, Section II for more information.

Q4: The FOA states “Strategies 2, 3, and 4 are required to submit a minimum of three Letters of Commitment (LOC) with the application.” Can applicants submit more than 3 LOC? As a Strategy 3 applicant, would LOC from an SEA, TEA or LEA be appropriate?
A4: DASH is expecting three LOC. Additional LOC will not be reviewed by the objective reviewers. LOC from STL to NGO are appropriate for the application. See section on collaborations on page 20 for more information.

Q5: Regarding the LOC, is it necessary that they all come from external organizations?
A5: It is permissible to have one LOC from an internal group(s) as long as it fits with the work the applicant is proposing. However, it’s also very important to have external partners.

Q6: With respect to LOC, should the letters span the full 5 years of the cooperative agreement?
A6: Timing of LOC should be as much as the agencies/organizations can predict the length of the relationship. Applicants should make certain to cover in the LOC the essential topics as described in the FOA.

Q7: What happens to the MOU/A and/or LOC if applicants are not funded?
A7: MOU/A between health and education agencies will not be binding if the education agency is not awarded funding. Furthermore, organizations that provide LOC are not committed to fulfill the outlined activities if the applicant is not funded.

Q8: In context to Strategy 2, if the education agency does not apply, can an MOU/A be written for the health agency to apply?
A8: No. Under Strategy 2, only the education agency is eligible to apply for funding.

Q9: Can applicants submit a memorandum signed by both secretaries that details the expectations between the two agencies and affirms both agencies agreement to participate in the expectations as spelled out?
A9: Yes. DASH has attempted to make sure that the MOU/A may be accomplished by all agencies due to the various mechanisms agencies interpret and use MOU/A. The description above in addition to the FOA elements meet DASH expectations for the MOU/A requirement. See page 31 for more information.

Q10: What happens if large districts eligible to apply for this funding are not awarded, but are identified by states as high-burden districts?
A10: Awarded sites will need to work with DASH to identify the most appropriate way to manage large districts.

Q11: What is the difference between “priority” districts and “targeted” districts?
A11: The terms are used interchangeably; there is no difference as used in this FOA.

Q12: Can we use the Year 1 planning year to identify priority districts and schools?
A12: Yes.

Q13: Does all effort need to focus on priority target districts/schools? What about the rest of the state?
A13: On pages 9-10, the FOA states that ESHE and Policy need to be implemented in the applicant’s jurisdiction meeting the “All-Inclusive” requirement, providing general guidance for the state/territory/local jurisdictions at large.

Q14: For the FOA Strategy 2 concerning high-risk populations, is the applicant expected to provide PD and TA to the 15 or more priority school districts concerning this high-risk population, or is the applicant supposed to identify a separate group of selected schools for this work?
A14: No, applicants are expected to implement all four approaches and select one YDR group with which to implement one approach more extensively; applicants should plan to work with the same districts selected for the work under the approaches.

Q15: Targeting 15 districts in a state with more than 700 school districts can be daunting; how should these sites focus?
A15: Awardees will use year 1 as a planning year to identify the most appropriate districts/schools on which to focus efforts. DASH staff will work with awarded programs on selecting priority districts and schools.

Q16: Approach A, bullet 2 (page 7) Re: curriculum selection: Is an LEA expected to undergo another curriculum review for the ESHE portion of comprehensive health education?
A16: The LEA is not expected to undergo another curriculum review if the LEA has had its curriculum approved and if it meets ESHE expectations.

Q17: Does the expectation about setting up a curriculum review apply to LEA that are already satisfied with their curriculum choices? (page 12)
A17: The expectation is that curriculum is chosen through a district approved curriculum review process. If the curriculum was selected through that review process and meets ESHE expectations, then there is no need for additional review.

Q18: What type of documentation is needed to show a district curriculum is exemplary?
A18: DASH recommends using the Health Education Curriculum Analysis Tool (HECAT) to confirm a district’s curriculum as exemplary (refer to more information on the HECAT at: www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/hecat/index.htm)

Q19: Can CDC research, identify, assess, and recommend additional classroom- based ESHE curricula, including those that are part of the required comprehensive health education course? If not, are STL expected to assess the curricula using HECAT or the National Sexuality Education Standards?
A19: DASH expects education agencies to use a variety of sources to inform curriculum selection and improve quality and appropriateness of content in the ESHE curricula as needed. HECAT is an appropriate and preferred tool for assessing curricula.

Q20: "Establish a written MS/HS standard course of study or curriculum framework that reflects ESHE" (page 7). In some states, sexual health education may be one required component of comprehensive health education. Does this FOA support school systems for which ESHE is not a stand-alone curriculum, but a part of the comprehensive, skills-based health education course?
A20: Yes. DASH supports ESHE integrated into a comprehensive, skills-based health education course. It is important that ESHE priorities be evident in this comprehensive framework.

Q21: What is meant by “frameworks or courses of study?”
A21: Both terms are used in the FOA to reflect bodies of prescribed study of course work across the span of the student educational experience (e.g., health education). DASH defines “course of study” as the entire scope and sequence of health education, grades pre-K-12.

Q22: Can sites use the National Health Education Standards and National Sexual Education Standards to inform our work?
A22: Yes; however, the extent to which a state may use these two documents is dependent upon state policy and curriculum standards of each particular state.

Q23: With respect to Safe and Supportive Environment (SSE), is DASH looking for a curriculum specific to Youth at Disproportionate Risk (YDR)?
A23: SSE activities should address all students at the school, not only YDR. Promoting and providing SSE is not required to be accomplished through curriculum, but may be. Parent engagement and school engagement are also emphasized in the FOA on pages 13 and 14.

Q24: Can sites already have identified their YDR group at time of application?
A24: Yes.

Q25: Is it allowable to address more than one YDR?
A25: Yes, but applicants should address multiple YDR categories with caution considering FOA requirements.

Q26: Are STL restricted to choosing one of the four YDR groups mentioned on the NGO call and in the FOA (LGBT:YMSM, homeless youth and youth who attend alternative schools)? If they are not restricted to those four groups, can you speak more to which groups are considered youth at disproportionate risk?
A26: Yes. The STL are restricted to these four groups of youth for their YDR selection as explained in the FOA on page 3 and as described in the Glossary on page 67.

Q27: On page 25, under Strategy 3, Approach B Regarding Key Sexual Health Services (SHS), what does “to assess student for key SHS needs” mean? Is it a formal protocol?
A27: The applicant should put in place a way to assess the sexual health service needs of students. This is in response to the evaluation question listed on page 25 and could include a formal or standard protocol.

Q28: If sites that we choose to partner with do not address sexual health services, where do we start?
A28: Applicants should start with establishing need by assessing relevant health and other data.

Q29: How can funds be used regarding health services?
A29: Funds can be used to support the activities outlined on page 12 under Approach B: Key Sexual Health Services. Applicants cannot use funds for clinical care including purchasing medical supplies such as condoms, contraceptives, testing kits, and medicine.

Q30: On page 35, section 4 - Other, fourth bulleted item: there is a reference to vaccine coverage. Is that a reference to insurance coverage for STD prevention, or data on the number of vaccines, such as for HPV, which are provided in the state?
A30: Vaccine coverage is referring to increasing HPV vaccination administration. See pages 7-8 for the logic model and definitions of sexual health services.

Q31: For Strategy 4, we must select 10 schools with which to work. Can these 10 schools be part of the 20 schools that we select for Strategy 2 or are these 10 additional schools?
A31: Yes. The 10 schools selected in Strategy 2 can be part of the 20 schools selected for Strategy 4.

Q32: How should applicants budget for 5 Professional Development events per year?
A32: Budget to attend two professional development (PD) events in-person, and three PD events via virtual methods such as webinar, live-meeting, or on-line PD. In-person trainings will be team training events.

Q33: In thinking that the Orientation will be a team approach, who should be identified to attend?
A33: Think strategically; the team should consist of members who will most effectively help the program achieve the project outcomes. The team could include the Evaluator, Health Department partner, or other relevant staff. More information will be available at a later time on the CDC/DASH FOA Web pages: http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/foa/1308FOA, and specific suggestions will be provided to awardees.

Q34: Do we need to address School Level Impact Measures (SLIMs) in the workplan?
A34: Grantees should address the Outcome Performance Measures listed on page 24 of the FOA.

Q35: Is it permissible for the Health Department in the grantee’s jurisdiction to establish a School Health Advisory Council (SHAC)?)
A35: Yes, provided that the education agency is engaged and the SHAC work is connected to the activities outlined in the application.

Q36: Can the HIV Materials Review Panel also serve as the SHAC?
A36: Yes.

Q37: Do we need an MOU/A for our HIV Materials Review Panel?
A37: No. You must complete the required forms as noted on page 10.

Q38: Can two MOU/A be submitted with health, one for surveillance and one for program?
A38: Only one MOU/A is required. MOU/A is only for Strategies 2 and 4 (LEA only for Strategy 4).

Q39: Is it permissible to submit an application after the deadline due to difficulties in obtaining a signed MOU/A?
A39: No. Late applications will not be allowed. See page 43-44 for more information.

Q40: For the person staffing the project, does that staff person already need to be in place at the time of submitting the FOA application?
A40: No. However, it is expected that staff be on board to attend Orientation, September 17-20, 2013 in Atlanta, GA.

Q41: How does submission work if the health department is applying for Strategy 1 and the education agency is applying for Strategy 2?
A41: Each agency should acquire its own grants.gov ID and submit its own application.

Q42: Where is the sample work plan template referenced on page 21 of the FOA PS-13-1308?
A42: The workplan template can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/FOA/1308FOA/resources.htm.

Q43: Under Strategy 2, are all 4 approaches required by STL?
A43: Yes. All four approaches are to be implemented in the priority districts/schools selected, and ESHE and policy are to be implemented within the entire jurisdiction. Refer to Strategy 2: School-Based HIV/STD Prevention (SB) (pages 11-13), for a list of the required activities in year 1.

Q44: Do all staff listed on our budget have to submit a resume?
A44: Only the resumes of those identified as the 100% FTE need to be provided.

Q45: What does FUS mean?
A45: Follow-up support.

Q46: From page 15 of the FOA, is there a difference between “awarded” and “selected” STLs? A46: No. The terms are used interchangeably.

Q47: If we are required to complete Approach D, who is considered a stakeholder and key decision maker? (page 13)
A47: This designation should be determined by how the agency/organization defines stakeholders and key decision makers.

Q48: Do we have to work with all priority districts/schools in all 2-5 years?
A48: Yes. The FOA is written with the expectation that the applicant works with the selected priority districts and school sites on each approach every year.

Q49: What are the expectations for parent engagement? Can you confirm that these expectations differ from past FOA and give examples of effective initiatives? (page 24)
A49: The expectations for parent engagement are different from those in past FOA. The types of initiatives the applicant agency implements need to be determined by the agency. A definition of parent engagement in schools is included on page 63. FOA Strategies Summaries are available at www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/FOA/1308FOA/index.htm and provide rationales for FOA strategies and additional reference material.

Q50: What will the CDC be evaluating vis-à-vis the work of LEA already funded under the YMSM project to determine preference for new funding for YMSM work under this FOA? (page 16)
A50: Each application will be reviewed on its own merit, based on what has been written in the application. Prior experience (positive or negative) is not taken into consideration. No preference will be given to previously funded agencies/organizations for any Strategy.

Q51: What kind of work plan is needed to apply?
A51: A detailed workplan for year 1 is required as a separate document with separate page limitations as referenced in the Scoring Criteria on page 44-45. In addition, a general summary of workplan activities for years 2-5 is required in the written work plan section. Refer to Part II Section A; 2. CDC Project Description, iv.Work Plan.

Q52: How do we address the Tobacco/Nutrition section on page 42-43?
A52: This section provides standard FOA template language, “These are optional policies and no funds associated with this FOA can be used to implement the optional policies, and no applicants will be evaluated or scored on whether they choose to participate in implementing these optional policies.”

Q53: As a CBO, what would our requirements be as part of this FOA?
A53: CBO are not eligible to apply for funding under this FOA. CBO should consider partnering with their eligible STL.

Q54: Will DASH fund only 1 Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) per strategy by agency type (State/Territory or Local)?
A54: For Strategy 3: One NGO will be funded for ESHE at the SEA/TEA level; one NGO will be funded for ESHE at the LEA level. One NGO will be funded for SHS at the SEA/TEA level; one NGO will be funded for SHS at the LEA level. One NGO will be funded for SSE at the SEA/TEA level; one NGO will be funded for SSE at the LEA level. See page 28 for more detailed information. Separate applications must be submitted onto grants.gov titled according to the Strategy, Approach, and the Target Audience.

For Strategy 4: One NGO will be funded to work with the three awarded LEA. The funded NGOs for each area described above are not necessarily seven different ones, as an NGO can submit up to seven applications – six in Strategy 3, one in Strategy 4.

Q55: Under Strategy 3, can the same staff person (1 FTE position) be identified for both agency types under a specific approach (i.e., NGO staff for ESHE provide CBA to both SEA/TEA and LEA agencies)?
A55: Yes, but only for the application. If awarded for more than one approach, each funded project must have an FTE (90-100%) to complete the work.

Q56: Policy, Approach D in Strategy 3, is not listed as one of the areas in which NGOs can provide capacity building assistance (CBA). Is this correct?
A56: Yes, this is correct. Policy is incorporated within each approach, but is not a stand-alone approach for which NGOs should provide focused CBA.

Q57: In referring to project management, it states that “Strategy 3 … must have expertise and experience in … Influencing a national dialogue related to one or more of the required approaches (ESHE, SHS, SSE, POLICY) and/or services for black and Latino YMSM.” Does this actually refer to Strategy 4 and the section above refer to Strategy 3?
A57: This statement does refer to Strategy 3, and the “and/or” is the important phrase here, allowing for flexibility for applicants. This statement is linked back to the YDR that education agencies will need to identify and work with (see page 9 under iii; Program Strategy, page 14). Depending on the types of YDR selected, the NGO will work with those sites to address YDR in the priority districts or schools within each Approach funded.

Q58: If an NGO is asked by an SEA or LEA to provide a Letter of Commitment (LOC) and to be a part of a Strategy 2 application and the NGO is also applying for Strategy 3 funding, will DASH consider this a conflict or a potential duplication of funding? How different will the NGO support outlined in the LOC for that specific state need to be from the NGO activities outlined in the Strategy 3 application?
A58: The applicant may submit a LOC for a Strategy 2 applicant agency and will not be perceived as a conflict or duplication of funding. The reviewers will only be aware of the information provided to them in the application. The nature of the NGO support outlined in the LOC is a decision for the organization to determine.

Q59: Will the awarded NGO be linked with the LEA and SEA? (page 15)
A59: The awarded NGO and LEA or SEA/TEA will work together throughout the 5-year funding cycle on the areas in which they are funded to provide capacity building assistance.

Q60: Do STL need to do any outreach to NGO that might be applying, or do NGO need to do any outreach to STL, in order to reference one another's efforts and show prior success in forging such connections? (page 15)
A60: Applicants should refer to the FOA sections on collaboration and organizational capacity for information about prior success/forging connections. Applications across Strategies will not be compared to one another during the review process.

Q61: Regarding Strategy 4, is the 25% that has to be allocated to CBO expected for both LEA and NGO?
A61: Yes, and this allocation is expected to start in year 1.

Q62: Are NGO required to show that they represent at least 10 states?
A62: An NGO must be a national non-profit or have a representation that extends nationally. See Part II, Section C (Eligibility Information) for additional information on national representation.

Q63: EBI for strategy 4 – is this the same menu of EBI as for Strategy 3? There are currently no EBI for YMSM, so adapted EBI are necessary.
A63: There is not a specific list for YMSM at this time. However, an EBI to support YMSM for adults is currently going through an adaptation to be applicable for YMSM 13-19 year olds and will be ready to pilot by the time this FOA begins. In the interim, please review the list of federally approved on HIV, STD, and teen pregnancy prevention programs at http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/adolescenthealth/registries.htm. It is also not necessary to adapt the same EBI for all LEA.

Q64: What is the funding limit for Year 1 and Years 2-5 for STL and NGO?
A64: Year 1 and Years 2-5 funding levels are listed on page 28. Do not apply for the ceiling level. Ceiling levels are listed to allow CDC/DASH funding flexibility if additional funding is available.

Q65: Is it ok to include CBA on adding sexual health questions to the Youth Risk Behavior Survey?
A65: This is a local decision.

Q66: What are other incentives for providing CBA on adding the sexual health questions to education agencies?
A66: Money, stipends, travel, and resources are examples of incentives that could be provided.

Q67: How many STL are NGO required to work with as a recipient of this FOA?
A67: NGO must work with all funded STL in the Strategy and Approach for which they receive funding: an estimated 14 ST and 15 LEA.

Q68: Where the FOA discusses inclusion and collaboration - does this apply to all applicants?
A68: Yes. NGO also need to be able to address inclusion/collaboration in their work with education agencies. See pages 19-20 for more information.

Q69: The FOA mentions a requirement to leverage funding and later states that leveraging is encouraged. Can you clarify?
A69: Awarded applicants are required to leverage funding and other resources (see page 20), especially with other federally funded grantees. Cost-sharing and a funding match are not required (see page 35).

Q70: Regarding the purpose of the FOA, how should NGO interpret this?
A70: NGO are responsible for providing capacity building to support state, territorial, and/or local education agencies in their work related to ESHE, SHS, SSE, and YMSM.

Q71: Under Youth at Disproportionate Risk (YDR) performance measures, if NGO are providing assistance to the STL, do we have to be ready to provide TA for all YDR populations?
A71: Yes.

Q72: Is there any guidance around budgeting for NGO travel for site visits to education agencies?
A72: Not all STL will receive a site visit from the funded NGO in year 1. These priorities will be determined after awards have been made.

Q73: Are applicants to select the priority districts and schools in year one?
A73: Yes. The grantee will select the priority districts/schools during the first year of funding. The language in the scoring sections is referring to how applicants demonstrate the use of data in the application and how the applicant will use that data to select priority districts/schools in the first year, if awarded.

Q74: The FOA says that in addition to the detailed 1 year workplan, applicants need a high level plan for subsequent years. Does that go in the narrative or into the work plan document?
A74: This information should be placed in the work plan section of the application. Refer to Section 2.a.iv. Work plan, pages 20-21, and each Workplan Scoring Criteria under Section E beginning on page 46 in the Application Review Information Section.

Q75: Is the timeline to be included within the 18 pages of the work plan or is it a part of the project narrative’s 18 pages? Please clarify.
A75: The timeline should appear in the work plan section of the application.

Q76: In the scoring criteria for Strategies 2, 3, and 4 under the Work Plan section, bullet #3 “Describe administrative roles and functions to support implementation of the award, and assessment processes to ensure successful implementation and quality assurance.” Where should the response be provided within the work plan template?
A76: This is a local decision; however, the response could be included in the Rationale for the objective section and/or the Person/agency responsible for accomplishing the activity section.

Q77: In terms of Gantt chart, in the past grantees listed all of our objectives for year on the chart. Applicants are not being asked to provide a chart for the entire 5 years. Since objectives don’t stay the same from year to year, how should this chart be set up? How detailed?
A77: This is a local decision.

Q78: Why is it important to address these particular topic areas (i.e., sexual health education, sexual health services, safe and supportive environments) and populations (i.e., YDR, YMSM) in terms of reducing adolescent HIV/STD?
A78: A brief scientific rationale for each of the approaches is available on the DASH FOA Web site. Please access http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/foa/1308foa/materials.htm for more information.

Q79: I understand that NGO applicants need to submit a separate application for working with SEA versus LEA. Is there an additional application for TEA, or is that combined with SEA?
A79: The SEA and TEA activities are combined for the purpose of working with NGO on capacity-building activities.

Q80: With regard to parent engagement, please clarify that the objective for NGO applicants is to improve parent engagement in relation to the particular approach the applicant would be supporting, and not just around parent engagement practices in general, correct?
A80: Yes, this is correct. Parent engagement should be based upon the approach, not general parent engagement strategies.

Q81: With regard to evaluation, would it be problematic to have the budget for evaluation come in higher than 10% (the current minimum)?
A81: No, this is not problematic. Applicants may budget evaluation higher than the 10% minimum.

Q82: Are applicants required to have a MOU or LOC from all 15 priority districts during year one? In activities for years 2-5 there is a reference to updating the MOU or LOC with the districts, but cannot find reference to the requirement in the FOA itself.
A82: Yes. Developing an MOU or LOC from the 15 priority districts is a year 1 activity and is not clearly delineated in the FOA. These documents will be updated accordingly during years 2-5.

Q83: Could DASH confirm that LEA/SEA are supposed to have a selected program (ESHE) by the end of the first year?
A83: Yes. LEA/SEA are expected to assist districts and schools in selecting individual programs for use in specific grades or with specific populations after they have established (1) a written standard course of study or curriculum framework (e.g., “scope and sequence”) that identifies the specific learning objectives for sexual health education for middle and high schools, and (2) a systematic process for choosing individual programs that will meet these learning objectives throughout grades 6-12. A decision on which individual programs to use should occur within the framework of the prior two activities; plans and actions to achieve all first year activities should be clearly laid out in the application proposal.

Q84: Can applicants be a sub-awardee on an LEA/SEA application and also apply for the NGO one?
A84: This is a local decision.

Q85: How does DASH expect applicants to place citations within the RFA?
A85: This is a local decision as to how citations are listed in the application.

Q86: Can DASH provide some clarification around goals. Do they change each year or stay the same over 5 years?
A86: The goals are 5-year goals as stated in Section E beginning on page 46 in the Application Review Information Section, and should be written to stay the same.

Q87: For strategy 1, if the LEA declines to apply but has their health department apply does that impact/hurt the LEA's overall application for applying for strategies 2 and 4?
A87: No, it does not hurt either application. Note – the jurisdiction would need to be funded for Strategy 1 no matter who applies for the funding (health or education) in order to be eligible to receive Strategy 2 funding, and must be awarded Strategy 2 funding to receive strategy 4 funding.

Q88: For Strategy 1, I don’t think the MOU/A, the LOC or the HIV Materials Review Panel are required, yet the application says under “f” on page 44 that “all applications must include each of the following…for each Strategy.”
A88: The chart on pages 44-45 identifies which elements are required for Strategies 1-4 in the far column (the header did not carry over to page 45). No MOU/A, LOC, or HIV Materials Review Panel is required for the Strategy 1, Surveillance application.

Q89: Can DASH please tell applicants what entities (LEA, CBO, NGO, etc.) in each jurisdiction are currently funded by divisions other than DASH as listed in 3a and 3b on page 20 of the FOA? Or can DASH provide information to applicant to find it themselves?
A89: DASH is not aware of all of the funding that each jurisdiction receives. Applicants are encouraged to seek out funding information from the relevant agencies within their jurisdiction to determine the types of funding sources and activities that are currently implemented to support sexual health within each specific jurisdiction.

Q90: Are NGO expected to provide CBA at both the “priority” and “intensive” levels: (1) to provide CBA on the NGO proposed approach to the funded STL for their technical assistance to all priority districts or schools selected by the funded STL, respectively and (2) to provide CBA on the NGOs proposed approach to the funded STL that have selected this proposed approach for their intensive focus on their selected YDR group?
A90: Yes.

Q91: Does the MOU have to be fully executed? Meaning does it need to include a budget?
A91: No funding is required under this FOA to support the activities listed within the MOU/A.

Q92: Would DASH please provide some clarification of the inconsistency between the NGO and LEA requirements for EBI under Strategy 4: whereas the NGO is required in years 2-5 to work with the LEA to implement an adapted EBI, the LEA requirements do not include working with the NGO to implement an adapted EBI?
A92: LEA will receive CBA from NGO for all required activities (See item # 11 on page 19, LEA Years 2-5 Required Activities). This includes implementing an EBI (See item #8 on page 19).

Q93: An applicant currently has an active MOU with Department of Public Health (DPH) to share specific federal funding. It was signed in 2010 and is in effect until 2016. The applicant has worked with DPH to develop an additional MOU that includes work for the new 5-year DASH FOA. Will DASH accept two MOUs with DPH or does the applicant need to rewrite a new MOU to include current activities?
A93: This is a local decision.

Q94: For the identified population of Youth at Disproportionate Risk (YDR) applicants realize they need to apply a particular Approach from Strategy 2 in working with them. Some believe applicants are required to apply Strategy 2 Approach C in working with the YDR. Is that accurate?
A94: No, that is not accurate. Applicants may select any of the three Approaches (A, B, or C) to apply to the YDR work. Applicants may want to review additional FAQ at: http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/foa/1308foa/faq_summary.htm.

Q95: The FOA speaks to 3 required activities for Approach C, and a 4th is required “if applicable.” However, the YDR short-term outcome performance measures seem to address only some of the required activities: school connectedness, parent engagement, and anti-bullying and sexual harassment policies. Does this mean that for the intensive focus YDR group community-based mentorship and service learning are not required?
A95: The best place to find required activities is the program Logic Model on pages 7-8 of the FOA which states that the following strategies and work plan requirements are to be completed for SSE:

APPROACH C: SAFE AND SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENTS FOR STUDENTS AND STAFF (SSE)

• Implement policies and procedures to prevent bullying and sexual harassment on school property and off-campus at school-sponsored events
• Implement policies and practices to prevent electronic aggression (e.g., cyber-bullying and sexting)
• Implement and enforce policies and procedures that increase school connectedness and parent engagement
• Establish student-led clubs and program activities that promote a positive school environment
• Create opportunities for students to participate in mentoring and service learning programs with teachers and other adults

The phrase “[If applicable] Implement all of the above activities to meet the HIV/STD prevention needs of the selected YDR group” is included at the end of every strategy 2 approach description in the FOA (pgs. 12-14) because not all activities may be applicable for a selected YDR population.

While not word-for-word identical, the short-term outcomes listed in the logic model align directly with the strategies and work plan requirements. It is expected that each funded site will implement all of the required activities listed in the logic model and collect school-level data to report progress in meeting the short-term outcomes listed on the logic model. These school-level data will be reported through a variety of instruments including the School Health Profiles Survey.

Q96: Will it be required that applicants have HIV/STD data on a specific YDR population if selected in the application?
A96: Page 11 of the FOA states that “SEA/TEA will use epidemiologic and social determinants data within their jurisdiction to … select one YDR group (i.e., LGBT youth, especially YMSM; homeless youth; youth enrolled in alternative schools) who will be the focus of additional, intensive HIV/STD prevention efforts within those priority districts”. While this may include HIV/STD data specific to alternative school youth if available, it is not limited to that particular data set. If such data do not exist, other relevant supporting epidemiologic and social determinants data should be used to make the case for selecting the YDR to focus program efforts on.

Q97: How are applicants intended to interpret the required “intense activities” related to one approach for a selected YDR group (we selected approach B)? And “performance measures” limited to the chosen approach (approach B)?
A97: While not word for word identical, the work plan requirements (pgs. 12-14) align with the short-term outcome performance measures (pgs. 24-26). The phrase “[If applicable] Implement all of the above activities to meet the HIV/STD prevention needs of the selected YDR group” is included at the end of every strategy 2 approach description in the FOA (pgs. 12-14) because not all activities may be applicable for a selected YDR population.

Q98: Is the Health Department representative on the HIV Material Review Panel required to be employed by such a state or local department or can they be employed by an organization such as ASTHO?
A98: For NGO, the representatives can be whom you deem appropriate. For states and locals, they need to include health department staff.