Search Results for keywords:"Intramural Training

The Postal Service has established new rules for packaging hazardous materials in mail, aiming to improve safety and reduce incidents. These changes include requiring specific rigid outer packaging for hazardous shipments and removing quantity restrictions for certain nonregulated toxic materials. Additionally, they align with the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration's decision by removing the telephone number requirement from the lithium battery mark. The rule aims to reduce complexity and maintain clarity while ensuring the safety of postal employees and customers.

In accordance with the 2018 Farm Bill, the Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement (OPPE) of the USDA plans to hold a public teleconference on January 25, 2021, to gather feedback on the 2501 Program. This program offers outreach and assistance to socially disadvantaged farmers, ranchers, and veterans by awarding grants to educational institutions and nonprofit organizations. These grants foster engagement through projects like workshops and demonstrations to increase access to USDA resources. Participants can join the call using the provided phone number and passcode, and comments are accepted via email until January 25, 2021.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has proposed changes to the HIPAA Privacy Rule to improve care coordination and individual engagement. These changes aim to facilitate better communication among healthcare providers, payors, and individuals, reducing unnecessary barriers and maintaining patient privacy. The proposed modifications include new definitions for terms like "electronic health record" and adjustments to individual rights for accessing their health information. HHS seeks public comments on these proposals by March 22, 2021, to ensure that the regulations support the shift to value-based healthcare.

The Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration (ETA) is requesting public comments on extending the use of several forms related to the H-2A visa program. This program allows U.S. agricultural employers to hire temporary foreign workers when no qualified U.S. workers are available. The forms in question help ensure that the hiring of foreign workers does not negatively impact wages or working conditions for U.S. workers. Comments on the proposed extension are encouraged and should be submitted by February 10, 2025.

The Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBCS) of the USDA has announced a notice of funding opportunity for grants aimed at providing technical assistance to improve rural transportation systems. These grants, available for fiscal year 2025, especially target transportation systems on Tribal lands of Federally Recognized Native American Tribes. Approximately $750,000 is expected to be available, with applications due by April 7, 2025. The program seeks proposals that align with key priorities like economic recovery, climate change, and ensuring equitable access to resources.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is proposing a new airworthiness directive for all Leonardo S.p.a. Model A119 and AW119 MKII helicopters. This proposal is due to a reported electrical failure in the starter-generator caused by a broken drive shaft, which led to partial battery power loss. The directive would require helicopters to have a battery discharge detector installed and to update the Rotorcraft Flight Manual. This action aims to prevent the risk of losing complete electrical power, which could result in losing control of the helicopter.

The Rural Housing Service (RHS) of the Department of Agriculture announced updates to the competitive process for lenders submitting applications for the Section 538 Guaranteed Rural Rental Housing Program (GRRHP). The updates include new scoring criteria focusing on priorities like maturing mortgages and Qualified Contract waivers, adjustments in scoring points, and changes to the application process such as requiring lenders to include closing dates and details about commercial spaces. Applications are being accepted continuously, and funding will depend on allocations provided by the Appropriations Act each fiscal year. The goal of the GRRHP is to increase affordable rental housing in rural areas by supporting partnerships between private lenders and public agencies.

The Department of Defense, General Services Administration, and NASA have introduced a final rule amending the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to incorporate regulatory changes by the Small Business Administration. This rule provides incentives for small businesses in certain U.S. territories, including Puerto Rico, under the SBA mentor-protégé program. It allows mentors to gain positive consideration in past performance evaluations if they subcontract with protégés from these areas and counts training costs toward subcontracting plan goals. The rule also clarifies that subcontracting plans are not required for entities treated as small business concerns by statute, such as Alaska Native Corporations.

The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), part of the USDA, is inviting commodity boards to propose topics for funding under the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Competitive Grants Program. These topics, which should align with AFRI's priority areas like plant and animal health, food safety, or rural communities, will be co-funded by NIFA and the commodity boards. To have their topics considered for the fiscal year 2021, proposals must be submitted by March 5, 2021. If accepted, the commodity boards must provide funding equal to NIFA's contribution for grants awarded based on these topics.

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), a part of the Department of Health and Human Services, has issued a request for information (RFI) to explore the impact of ageism in healthcare. The agency seeks public input on how age-related stereotypes and biases affect health care quality and access. AHRQ is interested in learning about innovative strategies to address these challenges, with responses informing future research and policies to improve healthcare for older adults. The public can submit their comments until March 15, 2025, but the agency will not respond individually to submissions.