Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education, and Support

 

This Program supports activities to: provide information and education on autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other developmental disabilities (DD) to increase public awareness; promote research into the development and validation of reliable screening tools and interventions for autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities and disseminate information; promote early screening of individuals with increased likelihood for autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities as early as practicable, given evidence-based screening techniques and interventions; increase the number of professionals who are able to confirm or rule out a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities; and increase the number of professionals able to provide evidence-based interventions for individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder or other developmental disabilities. The Autism Research Portfolio includes the Autism Research Network Program (Autism RN) Program, Autism Single Investigator Innovation Program (Autism SIIP), Autism Field-Initiated Innovative Research Studies (Autism FIRST) Program, and the Autism Secondary Data Analysis (Autism SDAR) Program. The Autism RNs establish and maintain an interdisciplinary, multicenter research forum for scientific collaboration and infrastructure building. They provide national leadership in research to advance the evidence base on effective interventions for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities (ASD/DD) as they transition to adulthood across the lifespan. The Research Networks develop guidelines for those interventions and disseminate information related to such research and guidelines as authorized by the Autism CARES Act of 2019 (Autism CARES Act). The Autism SIIP Program supports focused research on priority, emerging, and underdeveloped research areas in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other development disabilities (DD), with a special focus on addressing the needs of underserved populations. The Autism FIRST Program supports research studies testing the implementation of new/innovative strategies that address critical issues surrounding the health of children and adolescents with ASD. These studies collect primary data to analyze public health trends in their chosen area of focus within the Autism/DD, with awardees typically implementing randomized control trials. The Autism SDAR Program supports secondary data analysis of existing publicly available and accessible national databases and/or administrative records to determine the evidence-based practices for interventions that improve the physical and behavioral health of children and adolescents with ASD/DD, with a particular focus on addressing barriers to identification, diagnosis, interventions and services among underserved populations and for whom there is limited evidence of the effectiveness of interventions, and limited access to screening, diagnosis, and treatment for ASD/DD.

Active 93.877 Health Resources and Services Administration, Department of Health and Human Services B - Project Grants Fiscal Year 2016 The Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities program improves care and outcomes for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other developmental disabilities (DDs) through training, advancing best practices, and service. The program supports training programs, research, and state systems grants to: • Improve access to early screening, diagnosis and intervention for children with ASD or other DDs; • Increase the number of professionals able to diagnose ASD and other DDs; • Promote the use of evidence-based interventions for individuals at higher risk for ASD and other DDs as early as possible; • Increase the number of professionals able to provide evidence-based interventions for individuals diagnosed with ASD or other DDs; • Provide information and education on ASD and other DDs to increase public awareness; • Promote research and information distribution on the development and validation of reliable screening tools and interventions for ASD and other DDs; and • Promote early screening of individuals at higher risk for ASD and other DDs. Training Programs: The program has two main training components, the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Other Related Disabilities (LEND) program and the Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics (DBP) Training program. From 2011 – 2014, the LEND and DBP programs collectively: • Provided diagnostic evaluations for ASD and other DDs to more than 224,000 children; • Provided training to nearly 16,000 pediatricians, DBP specialists, and other health professionals; and • Provided more than 3,000 continuing education events on early screening, diagnosis, and intervention that reached over 214,000 pediatricians and other health professionals. Research: To improve the health and well-being of children with ASD, HRSA supports five research networks and investigator-initiated autism intervention research projects. From 2011 – 2014, the research programs collectively: • Conducted 57 studies on physical and behavioral health issues related to ASD and other DDs, screening and diagnostic measures, early intervention, and transition to adulthood; • Developed 42 new measures and tools, including diagnostic and screening tools and outcome measures that are helping to guide provider practice; • Prepared 209 publications for peer reviewed journals, of which 105 were published, and the remainder were in progress. HRSA’s autism research helps underserved populations overcome barriers to diagnosis and access needed services. State Systems grants: The Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities program supports state systems grants to improve access to comprehensive, coordinated health care and related services for children and youth with ASD and other DDs.
Fiscal Year 2017 See FY 2016 description.
Fiscal Year 2018 N/A
Fiscal Year 2020 In FY 2019, the LEND and DBP programs provided interdisciplinary leadership training to 25,253 trainees, enhanced the knowledge and skills of over 152,000 practicing professionals through 1,611 continuing education events, and provided interdisciplinary diagnostic services to 121,610 children to confirm or rule out ASD/DD.
Fiscal Year 2021 The Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) and Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics (DBP) programs provided interdisciplinary leadership training to over 59,000 trainees, enhanced the knowledge and skills of over 128,000 practicing professionals through over 1,700 continuing education events, and provided interdisciplinary diagnostic services to over 115,000 children to confirm or rule out ASD/DD
Fiscal Year 2022 In FY 2020, the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) and Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics (DBP) programs collectively provided: Diagnostic services to confirm or rule out autism/DD to over 115,000 children. Training to nearly 17,500 trainees in pediatrics, developmental-behavioral pediatrics, other health professions, and people with lived experience. Over 3,300 continuing education events on early screening, diagnosis, and services that reached over 270,000 pediatricians and other health professionals. Accomplishments from the Autism Research Networks and Autism Single Investigator Innovation Programs in FY 2021 include: Completed 95 studies on physical and behavioral health issues related to autism/DD, screening and diagnostic measures, early intervention, and transition to adulthood Enrolled 17,857 participants in primary research studies through 52 research sites across the country and included 1,049,578 participants in secondary data analyses Developed 65 peer-reviewed publications in leading scholarly journals Research findings contributed to the evidence that supports clinical and public health recommendations. For example, research findings from the Autism Longitudinal Data Project contributed to the evidence that support the following clinical and public health recommendations: (1) updated CDC guidelines on lowering lead exposure levels of health concern; and (2) consensus statement on acetaminophen use during pregnancy published in Nature Review of Endocrinology. During 2020-2021, state systems awardees: Partnered with 6 primary care practices to implement family navigation services and participate in provider trainings. Employed 28 family navigators. Served 1074 families by providing children with autism/DD or with increased likelihood of being diagnosed with autism/DD with screening, diagnosis, referral to early intervention or related services, and enrollment in community-based services before 36 months of age. Promoted and facilitated developmental screening services and follow-up. Increased awareness of autism/DD through stakeholder meetings, online learning communities, or one-time trainings that covered autism generally, intervention services, and assistance programs to families, primary care providers and community-based providers. Engaged family members and family advocates through trainings or training institutes, steering committees, and family support organizations through: 34 webinars for primary care physicians reaching 563 attendees; Community and family trainings, reaching approximately 6000 participants; and Hosting six community and family learning communities on developmental screenings, reaching over 600 participants. Public Health Service Act - Section 399BB Programs under the Combating Autism Act of 2006 as amended by the Combating Autism Reauthorization Act of 2011 (P.L. 112–32), the Autism CARES Act of 2014 (P.L. 113–157), and the Autism CARES Act of 2019 (P.L. 116-60). For training grants: eligible applicants include public or nonprofit agencies, including institutions of higher education. For research grants: eligible applicants include any public or private nonprofit entity, including research centers or networks. Faith-based and community-based organizations, Tribes, and tribal organizations are eligible to apply. Any public or private entity is eligible for other project grants. For training grants: (1) Trainees in the health professions related to MCH; and (2) mothers and children who receive services through training programs. For research grants: public or private nonprofit entities, including research centers or networks. For other projects: (1) Public or private agencies, organizations and institutions; and (2) mothers and children, and persons who receive services through the programs. Applicants should review the individual HRSA notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) issued under this Assistance Listing for any required proof or certifications which must be submitted prior to or simultaneous with submission of an application package. Preapplication coordination is not applicable. 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. HRSA requires all applicants to apply electronically through Grants.gov. All qualified applications will be forwarded to an objective review committee. Notification is made in writing by a Notice of Award. Contact the headquarters or regional location, as appropriate for application deadlines From 120 to 180 days. Final decisions are made 4 to 6 months after receipt of applications. Not applicable. Not applicable. Evaluation criteria vary based on the grant/cooperative agreement program. Refer to criteria included in the notice of funding opportunity for each specific program. Based on the recommendations of the objective review committee, the HRSA program official with delegated authority is responsible for final selection and funding decisions. Training grants provide interdisciplinary training to prepare future leaders to improve the health of children who have or have increased likelihood of developing autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities (ASD/DD). Research grants advance the knowledge base pertaining to ASD/DDs, leading to improvements in interventions for children and adolescents with ASD/DDs and improve the early identification and treatment for ASD/DDs. State systems grants support States in improving access to comprehensive, coordinated healthcare and related services for children and youth with ASD and other DDs. Not applicable. In accordance with the provisions of 2 CFR 200, Subpart F - Audit Requirements, nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $750,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Non-Federal entities that expend less than $750,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in 2 CFR 200.503 Grantees are required to maintain grant accounting records for 3 years after the date they submit the Federal Financial Report (FFR). If any litigation, claim, negotiation, audit, or other action involving the award has been started before the expiration of the 3-year period, the records shall be retained until completion of the action and resolution of all issues which arise from it, or until the end of the regular 3-year period, whichever is later. Statutory formula is not applicable to this assistance listing.

Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. Refer to the notice of funding opportunity (NOFO). Awards are made annually, in accordance with the project period method of awarding grants. Grantee drawdown funds, as necessary, from the Payment Management System (PMS). PMS is the centralized web based payment system for HHS awards. Payments are made through a Letter-of-Credit or Cash Demand System. None/Not specified. Michael D. Warren, Associate Administrator for Maternal and Child Health
5600 Fishers Lane
Rockville , MD 20857 US
MWarren@hrsa.gov
Phone: 301-443-2170 http://hrsa.gov 75-0350-0-1-550 (Project Grants) FY 22$4,974,877.00; FY 23 est $6,202,140.00; FY 24 est $5,838,091.00; FY 21$5,204,975.00; FY 20$2,249,594.00; FY 19$5,111,589.00; FY 18$2,273,497.00; FY 17$1,598,704.00; FY 16$44,217,073.00; - (Cooperative Agreements) FY 22$7,516,121.00; FY 23 est $7,705,688.00; FY 24 est $7,499,091.00; FY 21$7,420,994.00; FY 20$1,275,000.00; FY 19$7,420,974.00; FY 18$1,274,964.00; - Project Grants FY 22 act. $99,401 to $372,000; $226,130 FY 23 est. $93,089 to $360,000; $258,422 FY 24 est. $93,089-$360,000; $278,023 Cooperative Agreements FY 22 act. $250,000 to $3,000,000; $931,375 FY 23 est. $250,000 to $3,000,000; $1,100,812 FY 24 est. $250,000-$3,000,000; $1,071,299 All HRSA awards are subject to the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements at 45 CFR part 75. HRSA awards are subject to the requirements of the HHS Grants Policy Statement (HHS GPS) that are applicable based on recipient type and purpose of award. The HHS GPS is available at http://www.hrsa.gov/grants. Not applicable.