Pending selection for the grant, does Tufts have a preference on document sharing applications (e.g., Google Docs)? We are currently unable to use the G Suite applications due to state restrictions but we can request it, if it is a preferred method for the study
THIS-WIC is currently developing data sharing protocols for funded State Agencies; however, we will work with selected Agencies to establish a process that is safe and acceptable to both parties.
I have a question for you about our ability to involve academic researchers apart from the Tufts team with our proposal. As part of our proposal we would like to conduct focus groups among Spanish-speaking participants, so that we can better tailor culturally appropriate nutrition education to our Spanish-speaking participants. The vendor we are partnering with for this grant has worked with a researcher at a university on past projects whose research specialty lines up with this part of our proposal. We're wondering if she would be able to publish about her findings from these focus groups? She wouldn't be evaluating the grant activities as a whole, the State Office would work with Tufts to accomplish this. It would just be publishing results from the focus group. Who ultimately owns the data that is collected as part of the grant?
The university may publish the focus group results. Any data THIS-WIC does not specifically require to be collected for the grant and evaluation of the telehealth solution belongs to the State Agency. We would ask that State Agencies let THIS-WIC know of a plan to publish any data that comes out of or is connected to the proposed project. Any publication resulting from the work should include the following acknowledgement:
“This project has been funded at least in part with Federal funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The contents of this publication do not necessarily reflect the view or policies of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.”
THIS-WIC‘s evaluation focus is of the telehealth solution. THIS-WIC‘s goal is to support funded Agencies and are happy to explore ways we can assist with other evaluation aspects; however, funded Agencies can establish relationships with external partners for evaluation of parts of the project not related to evaluation of the telehealth solution. For selected Agencies, THIS-WIC will establish written agreements regarding evaluation of the telehealth solution and data ownership
Will images or additional documents be able to be uploaded with the full proposal? Or will the application be limited to text only like the brief proposal?
Applicants may incorporate images and figures into the body of the proposal. For example, an image of the telehealth solution may be used in the telehealth solution section; please note that figures and images must fit within the stated page limits. You cannot upload images or documents outside of the required components. Applicants should only respond to required tasks on the Survey Monkey apply site. You will need to log in with the username and password created during the Brief Proposal phase, and once logged in you can click on and download each of the templates.
As I have been working through the Telehealth Solution of the Phase II proposal, I have another question for you. I am wondering if USDA considers seeing a participant over videoconference as satisfying the physical presence requirement?
The Telehealth Solution may not be used for certification activities. The Telehealth solution such as the use of videoconference must be used to supplement the nutrition education and breastfeeding support offered in the WIC clinic. Therefore, the physical presence requirement does not apply as the focus of this grant, supplemental nutrition education and breastfeeding, not on certifications.
To clarify the biographical sketch limit no more than 5 – is that only for people internal to the state agency, and then other significant contributors can exceed a total of 5? We have two external significant contributors and I am not sure if they are included in the total of 5 or not, based on where the parenthesis are in the way the bullet is written?
There is a five biographical sketch limit for all key internal and external personnel. These personnel will vary by project, so it’s up to each applicant to decide which personnel are instrumental to the success of the project. Applicants can use the staffing section of the proposal and budget narrative to describe other key contributors.
My question is in regards to how the local agencies participating in the study track time spent on the intervention. Does Tufts prefer to have local agencies use their log/tracking sheets for documenting time spent on the intervention? Or if able, can the time spent documentation be added to the information systems currently being utilized by the agency?
THIS-WIC will provide specific protocols and training for data collection. THIS-WIC‘s goal, where possible, is to leverage existing data collection procedures and processes that are generalizable across projects and Agencies.
For the timeline, would it be acceptable to insert rows specific to our project into the template provided, and perhaps color code them to show what is a SA specific milestone vs. one that has been provided by Tufts? Or is preferred that we develop a separate companion timeline for SA specific activities?
The process you described for your timeline is allowed. Agencies are encouraged to edit the template to their needs. THIS-WIC recommends submitting only one timeline, with all activities listed.
What are you looking for regarding the statement of provide documentation of procedures used to maintain the quality and integrity of all data and analyses?
THIS-WIC wants to hear from applicants how their current procedures ensure quality and integrity throughout the data collection and analysis process. Applicants should speak to how they will build off these protocols to ensure the data provided to THIS-WIC will be of the same high quality.
Regarding agreements for evaluation and data collection, will THIS-WIC develop these or are funded Agencies expected to create them?
THIS-WIC will initiate agreements with funded Agencies.
Are State Agencies with an existing evaluation capacity able to conduct the analysis themselves, or are they required to work with THIS-WIC?
THIS-WIC will lead the evaluation of the telehealth solutions in collaboration with the funded WIC SAs. Applicants will be expected to work with the THIS-WIC team to finalize the evaluation design for funded projects and to provide data necessary to evaluate the impact, feasibility, and acceptability of the intervention.
For the IRB, can we use a reliance agreement?
THIS-WIC will lead the IRB approval process, and will submit protocols to the Tufts Institutional IRB, which will oversee all research and evaluation involving human subjects. Should grantees have their own IRBs/research review processes, THIS-WIC will work collaboratively with them to complete the review and approval process. Tufts University does participate in SMART IRB.
Can you elaborate on the cost data that grantees will need to report?
Applicants should review the RFP to understand all data collection expectations. Below are the cost data we anticipate needing from funded Agencies. These data include but are not limited to:
- Cost data organized by task (i.e., developing the telehealth program) and by time period (i.e., monthly, quarterly) depending on the source; these data will be provided by different stakeholders engaged in the intervention (i.e., SA, local agencies, telehealth intervention contractor)
- Stakeholders will provide information for cost estimates as appropriate per participant, per participant month, or per contact occasion
- For each stakeholder organization, cost documents will be expected to estimate staff time (coded in full-time- equivalent units) and personnel (i.e., managerial, non-managerial personnel) expenditures
Can you speak to what you're looking for the bullet point, demonstrate the capacity and commitment to collaborate with the THIS-WIC team?
Applicants should speak to their ability and willingness to collaborate with THIS-WIC. In their full proposals, Agencies should demonstrate their willingness to participate in and meet all evaluation expectations. Throughout the project period, THIS-WIC will build WIC SAs evaluation capacity through trainings, webinars, and direct communication.
