Active Aging: Supporting Individuals and Enhancing Community-based Care Through Health Information Technology Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) Technical Assistance Conference Call January 13, 2010

Conference Call Agenda Overview of the FOA Frequently asked questions Open forum

RFA-HS AHRQ is soliciting applications from organizations that propose to develop a specialized center (P50 grant mechanism) to carry out community-based participatory research on the use of communication and information focused technologies (IT) on improving health status of, and health-related services provided to, older adults and to focus on applied research with the objective of developing sustainable and reproducible strategies to translate research into practice effectively and efficiently. AHRQ is soliciting applications from organizations that propose to develop a specialized center (P50 grant mechanism) to carry out community-based participatory research on the use of communication and information focused technologies (IT) on improving health status of, and health-related services provided to, older adults and to focus on applied research with the objective of developing sustainable and reproducible strategies to translate research into practice effectively and efficiently.

Strategic Themes The use of IT to extend independence and functioning and reduce unnecessary health care utilization of older adults The use of IT to extend independence and functioning and reduce unnecessary health care utilization of older adults The use of IT to place the individual and families at the center of expanded and more efficient service delivery networks The use of IT to place the individual and families at the center of expanded and more efficient service delivery networks The development of innovative approaches to translate evidence generated in the first two thematic areas into practice. The development of innovative approaches to translate evidence generated in the first two thematic areas into practice. Research results are intended to enhance the independence and functionality of older adults through applied research, development of tools, conduct of demonstration projects, educational program development and implementation, and dissemination of results. Research results are intended to enhance the independence and functionality of older adults through applied research, development of tools, conduct of demonstration projects, educational program development and implementation, and dissemination of results.

RFA Objectives To provide a stable strategic mechanism for community-based participatory research that focuses on the use of communication and information focused technologies to improve the health and functioning of aging individuals and the health and long term services and supports provided to them; and that allows for long term goal setting and iterative learning and reformulation To provide a stable strategic mechanism for community-based participatory research that focuses on the use of communication and information focused technologies to improve the health and functioning of aging individuals and the health and long term services and supports provided to them; and that allows for long term goal setting and iterative learning and reformulation To focus on implementation research with the objective of using scientific methods to promote the adoption of evidence-based information focused and communication technologies and practices that improve the health and personal care provided by formal and informal health care providers and the integration care provided by these two types of caregivers. To focus on implementation research with the objective of using scientific methods to promote the adoption of evidence-based information focused and communication technologies and practices that improve the health and personal care provided by formal and informal health care providers and the integration care provided by these two types of caregivers.

Project Requirements Applicants are expected to: – Develop an overarching, comprehensive strategic plan that prioritizes a broad base of research needs across the three strategic areas outlined above. – Develop a research center infrastructure with adequate facilities, institutional support and appropriate expertise to support research, dissemination, and translation of research into practice – Propose specific projects that focus on strategies to achieve goals that fit within the framework of the overall initiative – Propose project that have distinct goals and implementation, but are also explicitly part of the larger strategic plan that reflects the related nature of this initiative’s three strategic themes – Propose projects that build on each other and ultimately result in changes in day to day practice of formal and informal caregivers and self-care with a community based strategy for dissemination

Research settings Ambulatory care settings Ambulatory care settings Patient homes Patient homes Independent living centers Independent living centers Residential care Residential care Transitions in care between settings described above and inpatient settings Transitions in care between settings described above and inpatient settings

Privacy and Security All applicants are required to describe how, in the development and implementation of the interventions, privacy and security issues related to the exchange of sensitive health information will be identified and addressed. All applicants are required to describe how, in the development and implementation of the interventions, privacy and security issues related to the exchange of sensitive health information will be identified and addressed. – Applicants should describe the resources and processes they will use to assure that these privacy and security concerns are being met throughout the project period. These could include the inclusion of participating patients in periodic reviews in order to solicit their input and consultation with knowledgeable professionals over the course of the project, as well as a description of any existing privacy or security practices and technology that will be incorporated into the project and reviewed for compliance on a regular basis. – See the FOA for additional information

Funding considerations Scientific merit of the proposed project as determined by peer review Scientific merit of the proposed project as determined by peer review Availability of funds Availability of funds Responsiveness to goals and objectives of the FOA Responsiveness to goals and objectives of the FOA Relevance to program priorities Relevance to program priorities Programmatic balance among the ASQ initiative projects Programmatic balance among the ASQ initiative projects Portfolio balance within AHRQ and DHHS patient safety and health IT activities Portfolio balance within AHRQ and DHHS patient safety and health IT activities

Review Criteria Significance and impact Significance and impact Approach Approach Innovation Innovation Investigators and Partnerships Investigators and Partnerships Environment Environment Additional considerations Additional considerations – Degree of responsiveness – Budget – Privacy and Security Protections for Patients – Protection of Human Subjects from Research Risk – Inclusion of priority populations – Translation

Mechanism of Support & Funds Available P50 Specialized Center grant mechanism Up to $2 million available in FY 2010 Up to $2 million available in FY 2010 Projects may be up to 5 years with $10 million total cost ceiling and no more than $2,000,000 allowed in any single year Projects may be up to 5 years with $10 million total cost ceiling and no more than $2,000,000 allowed in any single year Anticipated 1 award Anticipated 1 award Budget requests that exceed these limits will be returned without review Budget requests that exceed these limits will be returned without review

Budgets Applicants must use a detailed budget format Applicants must use a detailed budget format Budgets must be structured as to allow for review of a discrete budget for the Center infrastructure and each major project. Budgets must be structured as to allow for review of a discrete budget for the Center infrastructure and each major project.

PHS 398 All applications must be prepared using the new PHS 398 form All applications must be prepared using the new PHS 398 form Appendix materials must be on CD only Appendix materials must be on CD only New form PHS 398 and instructions are available at: New form PHS 398 and instructions are available at:

Eligible Institutions You may submit an application if your organization is a: You may submit an application if your organization is a: – Public or non-profit private institution including non-profit health care organizations, universities, colleges, and faith-based or community-based organizations including non-profit health care organizations, universities, colleges, and faith-based or community-based organizations – Unit of local or State government or eligible agency of the Federal government – Indian/Native American Tribal Government or Tribally Designated Organization For profit organizations are not eligible to lead applications For profit organizations are not eligible to lead applications – For-profit organizations may participate in projects as members of consortia or as subcontractors – For-profit organizations that produce health IT systems are encouraged to apply in partnership with a non-profit organization Foreign institutions are not eligible to apply Foreign institutions are not eligible to apply – Foreign institutions may participate in projects as members of consortia or as subcontractors

Principal Investigator (PI) The PI should be an experienced senior level individual Because of the nature of the project, expertise in evaluation is also a critical need that can be met through the requisite experience of the PI or another member of the project team. PI should devote a considerable portion of time to the project. If less than 25% time will be devoted, the application must include an explicit justification. Individuals from underserved racial and ethnic groups and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to serve as PI. Applications should describe PI responsibilities and background.

Key Dates Release Date: December 17, 2009 Letter of Intent Receipt Date: February 25, 2010 Application Submission Date: March 25, 2010 Peer Review Date: June 2010 Earliest Anticipated Start Date: September 2010

Frequently Asked Questions

Can there be Co-PIs? No. No. – AHRQ requires that the lead institution designate one and only one individual as the project’s principal investigator. – Projects may have co-investigators

How much detail should the letter of intent (LOI) include? The LOI is to allow AHRQ staff to estimate the potential peer review workload and plan the review The LOI is to allow AHRQ staff to estimate the potential peer review workload and plan the review AHRQ will not provide feedback on the LOI. AHRQ will not provide feedback on the LOI. Content should include: Content should include: – an acknowledgement of interest in this funding opportunity – a few comments on the subject of the proposed research – background expertise of key personnel – the nature and role of participating institutions – the nature and role of participating institutions This letter of intent is not required, is not binding, and is not considered in the review of a subsequent application. This letter of intent is not required, is not binding, and is not considered in the review of a subsequent application.

Ground Rules for Open Forum The conference call operator will put you in a queue based on call order. Please keep your questions brief. We will try to keep responses brief. Questions that are very specific to a particular institution or situation will not be addressed – these can be discussed individually with a Project Officer from AHRQ at a later time. If you do not get an opportunity to ask a question, please your question to

AHRQ contacts For additional technical assistance, please contact an AHRQ staff person who will be glad to provide technical assistance: – – Scientific/Research Issues: Robert Mayes: – – Peer Review Issues: Ying Tian: – – Financial/Grant Management Issues: Al Deal: