The Maternal and Child Health Bureau within HRSA anticipates the release in February of their solicitation for proposals for their “Newborn Screening Information Clearinghouse Initiative” (HRSA-14-085) for FY 2014 as mandated as part of the Newborn Screening Saves Lives Act.
The purpose for the initiative is to establish and maintain a central clearinghouse of newborn screening information regarding current education activities, family support services, and other available clinical services.
Although resources and information related to newborn screening and genetics exists, much of the information is not easily accessible. The rapid advancement in technology has also increased gaps in knowledge among various stakeholders.
By centralizing newborn screening information and resources, the initiative will provide easily accessible information and fill the gaps of knowledge. The initiative will include information and links to current resources, research, and data on newborn screening to increase awareness, knowledge, and understanding of newborn screening by families and parents of newborns, health professionals, industry representatives, and the public.
The initiative will focus on collecting synthesizing and disseminating information such as educational and decision-making materials on heritable disorders, evidence-based best practices, and continuing educational modules.
The Clearinghouse an interactive web-based forum for information sharing will consult with health education, medical homes, health literacy, and patient/family centered care experts to design and implement a fully integrated system to serve the needs of a diverse population.
The estimated funding is to be $750,000 with one award expected. The Forecast ID is (HRSA-2014-FCAST-0071). The estimated date for the funding announcement is February 03, 2014 with the estimated application due date to be March 03, 2014.
For more information, email Debi Sarkar at DSarkar@hrsa.gov.