Partner Promotion of Strategies to Advance Oral Health (CDC-RFA-DP-24-0049)

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Overview

This notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) supports efforts of CDC-RFA-DP-24-0048 recipients to increase access to oral health services and reduce cavities. This NOFO continues dental sealant program, community water fluoridation (CWF), and medical-dental integration (MDI) technical assistance work of CDC-RFA-DP18-1811. MDI activities will focus on providing technical assistance to CDC-RFA-DP-24-0048 for analyzing associations between access to oral health services, medical services, and diabetes status. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted a need to improve awareness of infection prevention and control (IPC) in dental settings and develop related partnerships. This NOFO will support that need through technical assistance and partnership support.

This NOFO has three components. Applicants applying for more than one component must apply for each component separately. Component 1 funds technical assistance to expand the reach of and partnerships for evidence-based preventive dental services and CWF. Component 2 funds technical assistance and partnership support for IPC activities conducted by CDC-RFA-DP-24-0048 recipients. Component 3 funds technical assistance for a) analyzing and distributing the analysis of secondary oral health data, especially data about relationships between oral health and diabetes, and b) evaluating CDC-RFA-DP-24-0048 and CDC-RFA-DP-24-0049 activities.

To access the announcement and application package:

  1. Select https://www.grants.gov/
  2. Select ‘Search Grants’
  3. Insert the Funding Opportunity Number in the ‘Keywords’ search box: CDC-RFA-DP24-0049
  4. Click ‘Search’
Questions and Answers

CDC hosted an informational conference call for potential grant applicants on April 24, 2024. Answers to questions from the call are available at Questions and Answers Regarding Partner Promotion of Strategies to Advance Oral Health (CDC-RFA-DP24-0049). Answers to any questions received after the call will continue to be answered at that location.

Letter of Intent (LOI) Due Date
May 1, 2024
Application Due Date
June 03, 2024
Application Due Date Explanation
Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 pm ET on the listed application due date.
Estimated Award Date
July 31, 2024
Estimated Project Start Date
September 1, 2024
Estimated Project End Date
August 31, 2027

Partner Promotion of Strategies to Advance Oral Health Reference Documents

Framework for Program Evaluation in Public Health

Effective program evaluation is a systematic way to improve and account for public health actions by involving procedures that are useful, feasible, ethical, and accurate. The framework, developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guides public health professionals in their use of program evaluation. It is a practical, nonprescriptive tool, designed to summarize and organize essential elements of program evaluation.

Logic models

A logic model is a graphic depiction (road map) that presents the shared relationships among the resources, activities, outputs, outcomes, and impact for your program. It depicts the relationship between your program’s activities and its intended effects.

ASTDD Evaluation and Quality Improvement Resources

This is a link for evaluation tools and resources provided by the Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors (ASTDD).

Developing an Effective Evaluation Plan [PDF – 2 MB]

A resource developed by CDC to help public health program managers, administrators, and evaluators develop an effective evaluation plan.

Introduction to Program Evaluation for Public Health Programs: A Self-Study Guide

This document is a “how to” guide for planning and implementing evaluation activities. The manual, based on CDC’s Framework for Program Evaluation in Public Health, is a resource for managers and staff of public, private, and community public health programs to plan, design, implement and use comprehensive evaluations in a practical way.

CDC Evaluation Framework

CDC Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Evaluation Basics Guide Series

CDC Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Evaluation Tip Sheets

CDC National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion’s Developing an Effective Evaluation Plan Workbook

FAQ

Purpose and Overview

The purpose of this non-research NOFO is to provide TA and resources for CDC-RFA-DP-24-0048 recipients to expand CWF and EBPDS activities among populations of focus (Component 1), support IPC partnerships and activities among populations of focus (Component 2), analyze secondary data to inform the future integration of medical and dental services for individuals with diabetes (Component 3), analyze EBPDS data to understand access and use among populations of focus (Component 3), and evaluate CWF, EBPDS, and IPC activities and partnerships of CDC-RFA-DP-24-0048 recipients (Component 3). The NOFO is a 3-year cooperative agreement supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Applications for the NOFO will be accepted through June 03, 2024.

1. What is the project period for this NOFO?

September 1, 2024 – August 31, 2027

2. What are the focus areas under Component 1?

Component 1 focuses on increasing the ability of CDC-RFA-DP-24-0048 recipients to implement activities that increase access to community water fluoridation (CWF) and evidence-based preventive dental services (EBPDS), such as dental sealants and fluoride varnish, as well as to develop and maintain supportive partnerships.

3. What is the focus area under Component 2?

Component 2 focuses on increasing adherence to Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Standard Precautions and leveraging IPC partnerships.

4. What is the focus area under Component 3?

Component 3 focuses on increasing the ability of CDC-RFA-DP-24-0048 recipients to analyze, interpret, and disseminate secondary data about 1) medical-dental integration, as it relates to the oral health of people with diabetes, their overall health, as well as their use and access to medical and dental care, and 2) data about EBPDS use and access. Component 3 also focuses on evaluating CDC-RFA-DP-24-0048 programs and partnerships.

5. Memoranda of Understanding (MOU)/Memoranda of Agreement (MOA) are legally binding. Is there flexibility to submit a letter instead of an MOU/MOA?

Yes. Applicants may submit a letter of commitment in lieu of an MOU/MOA to comply with the NOFO.

6. Is an evaluation and performance measurement plan required for this NOFO?

Applicants must provide an evaluation and performance measurement plan that demonstrates how they will fulfill the requirements described in the “CDC Evaluation and Performance Measurement” and “Project Description” sections of this NOFO. See NOFO-pages 16-20 for additional guidance on the plan’s criteria.

7. Will CDC continue strong partnerships with national organizations on evaluation activities?

Yes, CDC will work closely with national organizations by providing ongoing evaluation technical assistance on all aspects of evaluation including operationalizing the performance measures and developing national organization-level evaluation plans.

Eligibility

1. Who is eligible to apply for funding?

This announcement is unrestricted. See list below.

State governments
County governments
City or township governments
Special district governments
Independent school districts
Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
Native American tribal organizations (other than Federal recognized tribal governments)
Nonprofits having a 501(c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
Nonprofits without 501(c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
Private institutions of higher education For-profit organizations other than small businesses
Small businesses

Funding and Budget

1. Do we submit a budget for all 3 years or just year 1?

Your application should include a budget for the first project year.

2. Is a cost sharing or match required?

Cost sharing or matching funds are not required for this NOFO.

3. For the budget information sheets in the Grants Application Package/SF424A there is no budget category for Consultants. Should “Consultants” be included under “Contractual”?

Yes, the SF424A “Contractual” line (line f) should display the total from both the “Consultants Costs” and “Contractual Costs” budget lines from the itemized Budget Narrative.

4. Can national organizations request funding that is greater than the ceiling for Components 1, 2 or 3?

National Organizations are not allowed to exceed the ceiling awards specified in the NOFO.

5. Is direct assistance (DA) for on-site personnel available through this NOFO?

No, direct assistance is not available through this NOFO.

6. Should travel costs for required meetings be included in the budget?

Yes, travel costs for required meetings should be included in the budget.

7. Is the budget included as part of the total page limit for applications? Is there a page limit specific to the budget narrative?

The budget tables and narrative are not a part of the total project narrative page limit, and the budget narrative does not have a page limit.

8. Can funds be used toward staff salaries?

Yes, funds can be used to support positions as appropriate in meeting the outcomes of the NOFO. Maximum allocation for staffing is 50% of budget.

Application Process

1. What is the application submission process for the NOFO?

The application process and relevant information can be found in the NOFO – “Section D. Application and Submission Information” on page 24.

2. I am having technical problems registering and inputting information into Grants.gov. Can you help?

For assistance with technical difficulties with the Grants.gov system, please contact:
GRANTS.GOV Applicant Support
1-800-518-4726
support@grants.gov

3. Are applicants required to submit a Letter of Intent (LOI)?

No, an LOI is not required but encouraged.

The LOI should include the following:

Descriptive title of proposed project.

Name, address, telephone number, and an email address of the Principal Investigator, Project Director, or both.

Name, address, telephone number, and an email address of the primary contact for writing and submitting this application.

Number and title of this NOFO.

4. Do attachments such as CVs and organization charts count towards the project narrative page limit?

No, attachments do not count toward the project narrative page limit.

5. Are there page limits for attachments or the number of letters of support?

There are no limits on the number of pages for attachments, nor for the total number of letters of support. Please use care to submit letters of support from high priority organizations and partners.

6. Is the Background section required as part of the Project Narrative?

Yes, the background section is required as part of the Project Narrative.

7. Do we include “Organizational Capacity of Recipients to Implement the Approach” in the project narrative or in separate attachments of CVs and organizational charts?

“Organizational Capacity of Recipients to Implement the Approach” should be described in the project narrative. Supporting documentation, specifically CVs/resumes and organizational charts should be attachments.

8. Are the Assurances and Certifications documents required?

Yes. All applicants are required to sign and submit CDC Assurances and Certifications that can be found on the CDC Web site at the following Internet address: Grant Assurances Homepage

Review Process

The review process and relevant information can be found in the NOFO – “Section E. Review and Selection Process” on pages 40-47.

1. What are the review criteria for these applications?

Three sections of the application will be scored: (1) Approach (40 points), (2) Evaluation and Performance Measurement (25 points), and (3) Applicant’s Organizational Capacity to Implement the Approach (35 points). The budget section is reviewed, but not scored.

2. What is the review process for these applications?

Applications will be reviewed in three phases:

a. Phase I Review

All applications will be initially reviewed for eligibility and completeness by CDC Office of Grants Services. Complete applications will be reviewed for responsiveness by the Grants Management Officials and Program Officials. Non-responsive applications will not advance to Phase II review.

b. Phase II Review

A review panel will evaluate complete, eligible applications in accordance with the criteria below.

  1. Approach
  2. Evaluation and Performance Measurement
  3. Applicant’s Organizational Capacity to Implement the Approach

c. Phase III Review

Reviewed applications will be funded in order by score and rank determined by the review panel. In the event of a tie, program will award the entity that scored highest in the applicant’s Organizational Capacity to Implement the Approach section.

Recipient Activities (General)

1. When might the state dental director/Program manager meetings occur?

A Grantee Kick-off Meeting for all awardees will take place October 29-21, 2024.

2. How many awards are projected?

One award will be made under Component 1

One award will be made under Component 2

One award will be made under Component 3

3. May we apply for Component 2 funds only?

Yes, applicants can apply for Component 2 funds only.

4. May we apply for Component 3 funds only?

Yes, applicants can apply for Component 3 funds only.

5. Can we apply for more than 1 component?

Yes, Applicants applying for more than one component must apply for each component separately.

Other Questions

1. What is a Data Management Plan?

A Data Management Plan (DMP) is a plan to preserve data collected (such as surveillance or evaluation data) and make it available for public use. Recipients will receive guidance on creating a DMP for all data collection activities so that they can submit a DMP 6 months after award.

2. What is the difference between the Data Management Plan (DMP) and the Evaluation Plan?

The Data Management Plan (DMP) is a federal requirement to plan to preserve and share with the public all data collected, including surveillance and evaluation data. The Evaluation Plan refers only to program and performance measurement and includes what data will be collected, how it will be collected, who will collect it, and on what schedule. It does not apply to surveillance data. The DMP and Evaluation Plan are separate documents, and both will be required six months after the start of the award.

3. How can we determine a baseline for the measures in our application without knowing which states are funded? Will those measures instead be determined in the detailed evaluation plan that is submitted within the first 6 months?

Yes. CDC will work with the national partner(s) to identify CDC funded states and to determine performance measures and baseline data after awards have been made.