VtPHA News..

The Vermont Department of Health (VDH) open competitive Request for Proposal (RFP) to support implementation of community based chronic disease prevention strategies related to alcohol and drug abuse; nutrition and physical activity; and tobacco use prevention.

Grant Cycle July 1, 2012 – June 30, 2012

EXPECTED TIMELINE – all dates are subject to change if required

RFP Release January 3, 2012
Bidder’s Question Deadline January 13, 2012
Bidder’s Conference January 17, 2012
Letter of Intent (voluntary) January 24, 2012
Due Date February 15, 2012
Notifications of Awards March 15, 2012

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The Vermont Department of Health (VDH) will be releasing an open competitive Request for Proposal (RFP) to support implementation of community based chronic disease prevention strategies related to alcohol and drug abuse; nutrition and physical activity; and tobacco use prevention. This Request for Proposal (RFP) is designed to support implementation of relevant community based chronic disease prevention strategies related to alcohol and drug abuse, nutrition and physical activity, and tobacco prevention for a one year period. Building on last year’s combination of Fit & Healthy and ADAP grants, this year applicants will have the new option of applying for tobacco control and prevention funding.

The 2010 Vermont Department of Health’s Strategic Plan, http://healthvermont.gov/admin/strategic/strategic_plan.aspx, is informed by several national discussions including the Healthy Vermonters 2020 goals, the promotion of chronic disease integration by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention and the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors, and the opportunities to promote healthy communities as part of the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

Specifically, the 2010 VDH Strategic Plan goal promotes “effective and integrated public health programs and communities with the capacity to respond to public health needs.”

RFP INFORMATION

Primary funding for this RFP comes from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) who promote implementation of evidence- and practice-based approaches in policy, systems, and environmental change to achieve broad reaching, highly impactful, and sustainable change. Policy and environmental change has a proven track record of providing effective, long-term outcomes and is directly related to a change in social norms.

This is a one-year funding opportunity.

The framework for this RFP is:
Applicants need to work on at least two program areas:

1. Alcohol and Drug Abuse – up to $40,000 available
2. Nutrition and Physical Activity – up to $40,000 available
3. Tobacco – up to $40,000 available

In addition, all applicants must participate in the Healthy Retailers Project and can request up to $10,000 for this work.

The goals of the program are:

1. Reduce past month prevalence of alcohol and other drug use among 12 to 17 year-olds and binge drinking among Vermonters under 25
2. Reduce tobacco use prevalence and second hand smoke exposure for all Vermonters.
3. Reduce the proportion of adults (20+), children and adolescents who are obese.
4. Increase the proportion of people who eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables per day and who meet the recommended guidelines for daily physical activity.

Performance Measures
Performance measures are now part of all State contracts and grants. The RFP will include performance measure language for each program area.
Applicants must also address reducing health disparities as identified in the 2010 Health Disparities of Vermonters and Healthy Vermonter Program Goals located at
http://www.healthvermont.gov/research/healthdisparities.aspx

Potential applicants are expected to collaborate with their regional VDH District Office for guidance and technical assistance prior to the release of the RFP. District office staff is available to facilitate local meetings and support potential applicants in meeting program requirements and outcomes. Applicants are encouraged to contact the local VDH District Directors early in the process to assure appropriate time for any support or guidance required.

http://www.healthvermont.gov/local/district/district_office.aspx#find

Once grants are awarded, the district office in each area will be the main contact for successfully funded grantees by providing the following support:

• Work plans, progress reports, and budgets will be reviewed by the District Director as part of VDH review process.
• Support work related to the implementation of grants including reviewing work plans, progress reports and budgets and providing feedback to grantees.
• Provide technical assistance, consultation, and guidance to grantees to support grant deliverables and reporting.
• Participate in regular meetings and conference calls with grantees to ensure that the program is operating effectively and required activities are being conducted.
• Serve on local coalition and partnership board/advisory group.
• Facilitate community linkages that will enhance and support grant outcomes.

ELIGIBILITY

Eligible applicants are Vermont public and private not for profit (501c3) organizations, and coalitions (defined as: entities composed of several diverse organizations or constituencies that have agreed to work together to achieve a common goal).

Applicants must have a federal tax ID number or identify a fiscal agent with a federal tax ID number. Note: the fiscal agent is the applicant and responsible for complying with all the grant requirements. Statewide coalitions may apply provided they have the capacity to carry out the RFP requirements.

Scoring criteria will include but not be limited to: (1) experience of staff working with low socio economic status (SES) ; (2) organizations that have worked with and have representation from low socio-economic status populations and; (3) prevalence of chronic disease indicators.

GLOSSARY OF TERMS FROM CDC

Coalition-An entity comprised of several diverse organizations or constituencies that have agreed to work together to achieve a common goal.

Collaboration- Collaboration results when people work together and share resources to achieve a common goal. It is a well-defined relationship entered into two or more organizations to achieve common goals. It includes a jointly developed structure and shared responsibility, authority, accountability, resources, and rewards.

Community Capacity: A coalition or communities ability to identify, mobilize, and address social and public health problems. This includes citizen participation and leadership, shills, resources, social and organization networks, sense of community, community power, and an understanding of the community’s history.

Health Disparities: Difference in health outcomes and their determinants between segments of the population, as denied by social, demographic, environmental, and geographic attributes.

Health Equity: the concept that everyone should have a fairly opportunity to attain their full health potential

Health Inequities: A subset of health inequalities that are modifiable, associated with social disadvantage, and considered ethically unfair.

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