Autism CARES Act National Interdisciplinary Training Resource Center

Background
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, through the Maternal and Child Health Bureau, is offering funding for the Autism CARES Act National Interdisciplinary Training Resource Center. The purpose of the Resource Center is to provide technical assistance to build the capacity of interdisciplinary training programs to train health professionals in utilizing valid and reliable screening tools to diagnose or rule out autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other developmental disabilities (DD) across their lifespan, and provide evidence-based interventions for children with ASD/DD. The Resource Center will specifically support HRSA/MCHB’s Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) and Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics (DBP) Training programs to improve their interdisciplinary training and practice by producing resources and providing technical assistance to ultimately improve the lives of people with ASD/DD.

Grant Details
The Resource Center is expected to provide technical assistance and develop training resources for HRSA/MCHB-funded Autism CARES training programs, primarily to interdisciplinary LEND and DBP programs. It will identify and disseminate resources and tools to recipients, conduct data analysis and management activities, advance systems development strategies, promote family and self-advocate involvement, promote health equity within the LEND and DBP training programs, support forums for recipient collaboration, support LEND and DBP workgroups on current and emerging topics affecting those with ASD/DD, form partnerships with federal agencies and organizations relevant to the disability/autism community including Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Institutes of Health (NIH) and others.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants include any domestic public or private entity, domestic faith-based and community-based organizations, tribes, and tribal organizations. The cooperative agreement recipient’s responsibilities will include completing activities proposed in response to the Methodology section of this notice of funding opportunity (NOFO), providing the federal project officer with the opportunity to review publications, audiovisuals, materials produced under the cooperative agreement, consulting with the federal project officer at the time of concept development of materials, participating in meetings with HRSA conducted during the period of this cooperative agreement, collaborating with HRSA on ongoing review of activities, procedures, budget items.

Period of Performance
The period of performance is from September 1, 2022 through August 31, 2027 (5 years). Funding beyond the first year is subject to availability of appropriated funds for the Resource Center in subsequent fiscal years.

Grant Value
The estimated total annual available funding is approximately $800,000. The actual amount available will not be determined until enactment of the final FY 2022 federal appropriation. Applicants may apply for a ceiling amount of up to $800,000 total costs per year.