FY 2014 Report on Conference Spending by Agency

January 31, 2014

Agency Reports:

Administration for Children and Families (ACF)
Administration for Community Living (ACL)
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Indian Health Service (IHS)
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
Office of the Secretary (OS)

Summary of Costs by Agency

HHS Agency	Total Number of Conferences	Total Cost	Total Number of Attendees	Average Cost per Attendee
ACF	8	$3,555,840	7,073	$503
ACL	2	382,000	685	558
AHRQ	1	100,000	1,000	100
CDC	10	4,097,052	5,316	771
CMS	9	1,457,254	1,675	870
FDA	4	656,008	546	1,201
HRSA	0	-	-	-
IHS	11	1,518,577	1,540	986
NIH	13	2,549,431	3,425	744
SAMHSA	18	3,634,087	6,924	525
OS	4	1,305,415	2,753	474
Total	80	$19,326,107	30,937	$625

Administration for Children and Families

ACF Office of Community Services

ACF Office of Community Services Community Economic Development Conference

Dates: 3/18-20/2014
Venue, City, State or Country: Renaissance DC Downtown Hotel, Washington, DC
How the Conference Advanced the Mission of the Agency: The purpose of the conference was to provide grantees with an opportunity to share experiences, identify challenges, formulate creative solutions, network with peers, obtain guidance on grant requirements, and learn from experts in the field. This conference advanced the mission of the agency by bringing together grantees so that they can learn from one another and learn about fiscal and programmatic requirements of their grants to ensure the success of projects and creation of jobs and businesses to help low-income individuals achieve self-sufficiency.
Total Estimated Cost: $100,813
Total Attendees: 181
Total Feds on Travel: 10
Total Non-Feds on Travel: 171

Administration for Children, Youth and Families, Family and Youth Services Bureau

ACF Administration for Children Youth and Families’ 19th National Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect

Dates: 4/29-5/2/2014
Venue, City, State or Country: Hyatt Regency, New Orleans, LA
How the Conference Advanced the Mission of the Agency: This conference served as the field’s premier training and technical assistance event around child maltreatment. The National Conferences on Child Abuse and Neglect date back to the 1974 Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) landmark legislation bringing national recognition of child maltreatment in the United States.
Total Estimated Cost: $712,608
Total Attendees: 1,834
Total Feds on Travel: 9
Total Non-Feds on Travel: 0

Administration for Children, Youth and Families Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA) Annual State Administrators and State Domestic Violence (DV) Coalitions Grantee Meeting/IPV Screening Implementation

Dates: 5/12-16/2014
Venue, City, State or Country: The Sheraton Inner Harbor Hotel, Baltimore, MD
How the Conference Advanced the Mission of the Agency: It is a training, technical assistance and peer mentoring activity focusing on FVPSA administrative, programmatic and regulatory issues as well as the promotion of evidence informed and promised practices to address family violence, domestic violence and dating violence. The state coalitions will focus on implementing screening and brief counseling within health care settings, specifically providing strategies for strengthening partnerships with health care providers and domestic violence service providers.
Total Estimated Cost: $161,195
Total Attendees: 256
Total Feds on Travel: 0
Total Non-Feds on Travel: 22

ACF Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation

ACF Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation 2014 Welfare Research and Evaluation Conference

Dates: 5/28-30/2014
Venue, City, State or Country: Grand Hyatt, Washington, DC
How the Conference Advanced the Mission of the Agency: The purpose of the 17th Annual WREC was to provide a forum for welfare and poverty researchers, state and local administrators, practitioners, program operators and federal officials and policymakers to discuss cutting-edge research and identify research and evaluation priorities for welfare and related programs and policies.
Total Estimated Cost: $512,222
Total Attendees: 1,335
Total Feds on Travel: 0
Total Non-Feds on Travel: 90

ACF Head Start's 12th National Research Conference for 2014

Dates: 7/7-9/2014
Venue, City, State or Country: Grand Hyatt, Washington, DC
How the Conference Advanced the Mission of the Agency: Head Start's National Research Conference was a primary venue for dissemination of early childhood evaluation and research. The biennial conference fostered communication between researchers, program staff and policy makers interested in improving services and supporting the well-being of young children and their families. Researchers presented the latest findings in early childhood program evaluation and the social and economic development of well-being in low income families with young children.
Total Estimated Cost: $795,457
Total Attendees: 1,065
Total Feds on Travel: 0
Total Non-Feds on Travel: 63

Office of Head Start

ACF Office of Head Start 18th Annual Birth to Three Institute and Early Head Start National Resource Center Orientation Conference

Dates: 7/28-31/2014
Venue, City, State or Country: Marriott Marquis Hotel, Washington, DC
How the Conference Advanced the Mission of the Agency: The conferences' focus on the dissemination of best practices and quality services within their respective programs directly related to OHS's focus on identifying areas of research , demonstration and developmental activities. The BTT also supports the implications of research for improved practice.
Total Estimated Cost: $789,608
Total Attendees: 1,800
Total Feds on Travel: 8
Total Non-Feds on Travel: 52

ACF Office of Family Assistance

ACF Office of Family Assistance Region I, II, III, IV TANF conference

Dates: 8/12-14/2014
Venue, City, State or Country: Radisson Blu Warwick, Philadelphia, PA
How the Conference Advanced the Mission of the Agency: The purpose of the conference is to gather representatives from state and tribal TANF agencies to share program strategies and lessons learned, as well as to inform ACF leadership regarding challenges faced in meeting the four purposes of TANF. The meeting supports HHS Strategic Plan Goal 3- Advance the Health, Safety and Well-Being of the American People, Objective B - Promote the economic and social well-being for individuals, families and communities.
Total Estimated Cost: $127,390
Total Attendees: 84
Total Feds on Travel: 13
Total Non-Feds on Travel: 60

ACF OFA Healthy Marriage and Responsible Fatherhood Grantee Conference

Dates: 8/26-29/2014
Venue, City, State or Country: Marriott Marque Hotel, Washington, DC
How the Conference Advanced the Mission of the Agency: The purpose of the conference was to provide regional program managers and their staff an opportunity to monitor state activities, provide oversight to state TANF administrators and facilitate technical assistance regarding implementation challenges. The TANF administrators will have an opportunity to interact with ACF leadership and other key staff.
Total Estimated Cost: $356,546
Total Attendees: 518
Total Feds on Travel: 0
Total Non-Feds on Travel: 1

Administration for Community Living

Office of Program Support

2014 National Disability Rights Network Protection and Advocacy (P&A)/Client Assistance Program (CAP) Annual Conference

Dates: 6/2-5/2014
Venue, City, State or Country: Baltimore Waterfront Marriott, Baltimore, MD
How the Conference Advanced the Mission of the Agency: The Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AIDD) is dedicated to ensuring that individuals with developmental disabilities and their families are able to fully participate in and contribute to all aspects of community life in the United States and its territories.
Total Estimated Cost: $193,500
Total Attendees: 460
Total Feds on Travel: 10
Total Non-Feds on Travel: 30

Administration on Aging/Office of American Indian, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiian Programs

Title VI Grantee National Conference

Dates: 8/18-21/2014
Venue, City, State or Country: Washington Court Hotel, Washington, DC
How the Conference Advanced the Mission of the Agency: Older Americans Act. Sec. 201 © (3)(H) compelled the Director of the Office for American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Programs to "develop and provide technical assistance and training programs to grantees under Title VI." Additionally, Older Americans Act Sec. 203A requires the Assistant Secretary for Aging to "consult and coordinate with...recipients of grants under Title VI in the development of Federal goals, regulations, program instructions, and policies under this Act.
Total Estimated Cost: $188,500
Total Attendees: 225
Total Feds on Travel: 5
Total Non-Feds on Travel: 35

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

Center for Primary Care, Prevention, and Clinical Partnerships (CP3)

Preventive Medicine 2014: Annual Meeting of the American College of Preventive Medicine (physician specialty society)

Dates: 2/19-22/2014
Venue, City, State or Country: Hilton New Orleans Riverside, New Orleans LA
How the Conference Advanced the Mission of the Agency: Preventive Medicine bridges the link between clinical preventive services and population medicine. The conference provides an unique opportunity for the dissemination of prevention research findings and evidence-based clinical practice guidelines. It assist preventive medicine practitioners in translating new prevention research into their daily preventive medicine practice.
Total Estimated Cost: $100,000
Total Attendees: 1,000
Total Feds on Travel: 0
Total Non-Feds on Travel: 25

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

National Center for Health Statistics

NHANES Annual Refresher Training

Dates: 1/4-9/2014
Venue, City, State or Country: Renaissance Long Beach Hotel, Long Beach CA
How the Conference Advanced the Mission of the Agency: The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey collected data on the health and nutritional status of adults and children in the US. The NHANES Annual Refresher Training provided field staff with the required knowledge and skills to uphold the level of data integrity, data quality and respect for survey participants that the National Center for Health Statistics requires. Findings from this survey have been used to determine the prevalence of major diseases and risk factors for diseases.
Total Estimated Cost: $140,223
Total Attendees: 138
Total Feds on Travel: 13
Total Non-Feds on Travel: 125

Center for Global Health

2014 Stop Transmission of Polio STOP Trainings

Dates: 1/6-24/2014; 6/5-26/2014
Venue, City, State or Country: CDC Tom Harkin Global Communications Center (GCC), Building 19, Atlanta GA
How the Conference Advanced the Mission of the Agency: This Stop Transmission of Polio (STOP) training was a pre-deployment training that provided volunteers with an in-depth understanding of immunization programs, surveillance, and polio eradication activities so they were effective on their WHO and UNICEF field assignments. The STOP program is a joint WHO, UNICEF and CDC/CGH/GID initiative to eradicate polio, provide field support for measles control and routine immunization. This training was critical in CDCs mission to eradicate polio globally.
Total Estimated Cost: $1,112,658 (each conference)
Total Attendees: 165
Total Feds on Travel: 30
Total Non-Feds on Travel: 135

Detect Respond Prevent Leverage CDC Global Health Programs and Overseas Offices

Dates: 3/17-20/2014
Venue, City, State or Country: CDC Tom Harkin Global Communications Center (GCC), Building 19, Atlanta GA
How the Conference Advanced the Mission of the Agency: The world is more vulnerable to catastrophic global health threats than ever before. Disease epidemics are enormously costly in terms of both lives lost and economic damage, and threaten the health of the American people. Given our knowledge about the known vulnerabilities and necessary actions to reduce them, delayed action at this time is indefensible. With experts in 59 countries around the world, CDC is uniquely positioned to provide global resource to respond to this public health vulnerability.

The aim of this meet was to ensure that CDC’s overseas offices and programs are optimally positioned and leveraged to respond to global health security threats, and are effectively engaged in planning to efforts that will strengthen the capacity of host country governments to provide health security. Input provide by in-country staff as well as other CDC subject matter experts during this meeting resulted in the development a technical guidance document that is being used both by headquarters and in-country staff to guide CDC’s implementation of the U.S.G. Global Health Security Agenda. Implementation of the Agenda is a priority for the Administration and also is a top priority for CDC.
Total Estimated Cost: $175,293
Total Attendees: 50
Total Feds on Travel: 43
Total Non-Feds on Travel: 0

Office of Surveillance, Epidemiology and Laboratory Services

63rd Annual Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) Conference & Center for Global Health (CGH) International Night

Dates: 4/28 – 5/1/2014
Venue, City, State or Country: Crowne Plaza Ravina, Atlanta GA
How the Conference Advanced the Mission of the Agency: The primary reason for the Center Surveillance, Epidemiology and Laboratory Services (CSELS) is to provide scientific service, expertise, skills, and tools in support of CDC's national efforts to promote health; prevent disease, injury and disability; and prepare for emerging health threats. The Division of Scientific Education and Professional Development (DSEPD) has a strategic priority to prepare the PH workforce for 21st-century public health challenges.
Total Estimated Cost: $475,645
Total Attendees: 1,998
Total Feds on Travel: 1,298
Total Non-Feds on Travel: 78

2014 Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists Annual Conference

Dates: 6/22–26/2014
Venue, City, State or Country: Nashville Convention Center, Nashville TN
How the Conference Advanced the Mission of the Agency: CDC’s mission goals were accomplished when we have partnerships that support the use of effective public health surveillance and good epidemiologic practice through training, capacity development, and peer consultation, developing standards for practice and advocating for resources and scientifically based policy. Attendees included state, county, and city epidemiologists; chronic disease, environmental health, infectious disease, injury, maternal and child health, and occupational health professionals; veterinarians; and other public health professionals interested in epidemiology and surveillance issues. As a governmental partnership organization, CSTE with CDC have worked together to improve the public’s health by supporting the efforts of epidemiologists working at the state and local level and by promoting the effective use of epidemiologic data to guide public health practice and improve health. Mission goals were further met through the promotion of the effective use of epidemiologic data to guide public health practice and improve health. use of effective public health surveillance and good epidemiologic practice through training, capacity development, and peer consultation, developing standards for practice and advocating for resources and scientifically based policy. Attendees included state, county, and city epidemiologists; chronic disease, environmental health, infectious disease, injury, maternal and child health, and occupational health professionals; veterinarians; and other public health professionals interested in epidemiology and surveillance issues. As a governmental partnership organization, CSTE with CDC have worked together to improve the public’s health by supporting the efforts of epidemiologists working at the state and local level and by promoting the effective use of epidemiologic data to guide public health practice and improve health. Mission goals were met at this conference through the promotion of the effective use of epidemiologic data to guide public health practice and improve health.
Total Estimated Cost: $281,307
Total Attendees: 179
Total Feds on Travel: 170
Total Non-Feds on Travel: 0

National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention

2014 STD Prevention Conference

Dates: 6/9-12/2014
Venue, City, State or Country: Omni CNN Center, Atlanta GA
How the Conference Advanced the Mission of the Agency: Innovative STD Prevention Research is constantly being conducted and providing a forum to present this information to public health professionals from a variety of disciplines is necessary to ensure the quality care is provided to citizens of the United States and around the world. The audience includes Program managers, researchers, public health authorities, clinicians (doctors, nurses, physician assistants), health educators, , laboratory technologist, medical technologist, public health advisors, disease intervention specialist, students.
Total Estimated Cost: $238,194
Total Attendees: 1,500
Total Feds on Travel: 320
Total Non-Feds on Travel: 0

Office for State, Tribal, Local and Territorial Support

2014 Summer Seminar for PHAP and PHPS Trainees

Dates: 6/9-13/2014
Venue, City, State or Country: Crowne Plaza Atlanta Perimeter at Ravinia, Atlanta GA
How the Conference Advanced the Mission of the Agency: PHAP and PHPS trainees worked at STLT health departments throughout the US and its territories. The training provided trainees completing their two and three year fellowships with the required knowledge and skills to better equip them in completing their duties on behalf of their STLT health departments, and increase their ability to seek employment in the field of public health. OSTLTS' mission is to advance US public health agency and system performance, capacity, agility, and resilience.
Total Estimated Cost: $259,594
Total Attendees: 201
Total Feds on Travel: 155
Total Non-Feds on Travel: 0

FY14 PHAP - Graduating Class of 2012 - Final Training

Dates: 6/9-13/2014
Venue, City, State or Country: Crowne Plaza Atlanta Perimeter at Ravinia, Atlanta GA
How the Conference Advanced the Mission of the Agency: PHAP trainees worked at STLT health department throughout the US and its territories. The training provided completing their two-year fellowship with the required knowledge and skills to better equip them in completing their duties on behalf of their STLT health departments and increase their ability to seek employment in the field of public health. OSTLTS' mission is to advance US public health agency and system performance, capacity, agility, and resilience, the PHAP trainees contribute to the mission by expanding the capacity and performance of partner STLT health departments during their fellowship.
Total Estimated Cost: $151,989
Total Attendees: 120
Total Feds on Travel: 90
Total Non-Feds on Travel: 0

National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases

National Immunization Conference - US Immunization in a Time of Change

Dates: 9/29-30/2014
Venue, City, State or Country: Crowne Plaza Atlanta Perimeter at Ravinia, Atlanta GA
How the Conference Advanced the Mission of the Agency: The importance of frequent iterations of this educational activity cannot be overstated. The field of immunization is large and diverse, and ever-changing. New vaccines are licensed and new recommendations for their use are issued many time each year. The constant stream of changes leads to confusion on the part of healthcare providers and patients, and results in immunization errors in medical offices across the country.
Total Estimated Cost: $137,800
Total Attendees: 800
Total Feds on Travel: 150
Total Non-Feds on Travel: 650

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) and the Center for Clinical Standards and Quality (CCSQ)

Joint Community-based Care Transition Program (CCTP) and QIO Integrating Care for Populations and Communities Aim (ICPCA) Learning Collaborative

Dates: 11/6-7/2013
Venue, City, State or Country: Omni Shoreham, Washington DC
How the Conference Advanced the Mission of the Agency: Both the CCTP and ICPCA were required to host learning sessions for program participates across the country. The in-person Learning Collaboratives were the most cost efficient form of technical assistance that could be provided to over 400 care transition community sites, each with multiple partners. The Learning Collaborative model rapidly disseminated best practices in care transitions to communities across both programs in order to achieve greater reductions in avoidable hospital readmissions.
Total Estimated Cost: $181,669
Total Attendees: 751
Total Feds on Travel: 8
Total Non-Feds on Travel: 122

Center for Program Integrity/Medicaid Integrity Group (MIG)

Medicaid Integrity Institute: Emerging Trends in Medicaid Program Integrity

Dates: 11/20-22/2013
Venue, City, State or Country: National Advocacy Center, DOJ, Columbia SC
How the Conference Advanced the Mission of the Agency: The MII is one of the primary means by which the Medicaid Integrity Program provided support and technical assistance to States. This was accomplished through training, the issuance of program and policy updates regarding Medicaid program integrity to the State PI Directors and other key stakeholders. State Medicaid program integrity staff and stakeholders were able to engage CMS and other PI faculty as well as network with other states.
Total Estimated Cost: $135,638
Total Attendees: 75
Total Feds on Travel: 0
Total Non-Feds on Travel: 73

Medicaid Integrity Institute: Program Integrity Fundamentals Seminar

Dates: 1/28-31/2014
Venue, City, State or Country: National Advocacy Center, DOJ, Columbia SC
How the Conference Advanced the Mission of the Agency: The MII is one of the primary means by which the Medicaid Integrity Program provided support and technical assistance to States. This was accomplished through training, the issuance of program and policy updates regarding Medicaid program integrity to the State PI Directors and other key stakeholders. State Medicaid program integrity staff and stakeholders were able to engage CMS and other PI faculty as well as network with other states.
Total Estimated Cost: $140,576
Total Attendees: 81
Total Feds on Travel: 3
Total Non-Feds on Travel: 74

Medicaid Integrity Institute: Medicaid Provider Enrollment Seminar

Dates: 2/26-28/2014
Venue, City, State or Country: National Advocacy Center, DOJ, Columbia SC
How the Conference Advanced the Mission of the Agency: The MII is one of the primary means by which the Medicaid Integrity Program provided support and technical assistance to States. This was accomplished through training, the issuance of program and policy updates regarding Medicaid program integrity to the State PI Directors and other key stakeholders. State Medicaid program integrity staff and stakeholders were able to engage CMS and other PI faculty as well as network with other states.
Total Estimated Cost: $149,754
Total Attendees: 78
Total Feds on Travel: 8
Total Non-Feds on Travel: 66

Medicaid Integrity Institute: PI Partnership in Managed Care Symposium

Dates: 3/26-28/2014
Venue, City, State or Country: National Advocacy Center, DOJ, Columbia SC
How the Conference Advanced the Mission of the Agency: The MII is one of the primary means by which the Medicaid Integrity Program provided support and technical assistance to States. This was accomplished through training, the issuance of program and policy updates regarding Medicaid program integrity to the State PI Directors and other key stakeholders. State Medicaid program integrity staff and stakeholders were able to engage CMS and other PI faculty as well as network with other states.
Total Estimated Cost: $164,377
Total Attendees: 87
Total Feds on Travel: 11
Total Non-Feds on Travel: 69

Medicaid Integrity Institute: New Adult Group Medicaid Expenditure Claiming and Program Integrity Reporting Seminar

Dates: 4/14-16/2014
Venue, City, State or Country: National Advocacy Center, DOJ, Columbia SC
How the Conference Advanced the Mission of the Agency: The MII is one of the primary means by which the Medicaid Integrity Program provided support and technical assistance to States. This was accomplished through training, the issuance of program and policy updates regarding Medicaid program integrity to the State PI Directors and other key stakeholders. State Medicaid program integrity staff and stakeholders were able to engage CMS and other PI faculty as well as network with other states.
Total Estimated Cost: $188,934
Total Attendees: 99
Total Feds on Travel: 40
Total Non-Feds on Travel: 59

Medicaid Integrity Institute: Medicaid Provider Enrollment Seminar

Dates: 7/23-25/2014
Venue, City, State or Country: National Advocacy Center, DOJ, Columbia SC
How the Conference Advanced the Mission of the Agency: The MII is one of the primary means by which the Medicaid Integrity Program provided support and technical assistance to States. This was accomplished through training, the issuance of program and policy updates regarding Medicaid program integrity to the State PI Directors and other key stakeholders. State Medicaid program integrity staff and stakeholders were able to engage CMS and other PI faculty as well as network with other states.
Total Estimated Cost: $141,505
Total Attendees: 76
Total Feds on Travel: 5
Total Non-Feds on Travel: 68

Center for Medicare

CMS Security Control Oversight and Update Training (CSCOUT)

Dates: 5/19-22/2014
Venue, City, State or Country: Sheraton Hotel, Towson MD
How the Conference Advanced the Mission of the Agency: CMS is responsible for processing billions of Medicare claims that contain personal information for millions of Medicare beneficiaries. Protecting the Confidentiality, Integrity and Availability (CIA) of the information is critical to the success of the program. The attendees of this event have the responsibility to implement, operate, or evaluate the controls that ensure the CIA of the information. This event allowed all of the attendees to hear the same information and to ask questions about issues that will ultimately help increase and maintain a consistently high level of information system security.
Total Estimated Cost: $173,510
Total Attendees: 220
Total Feds on Travel: 25
Total Non-Feds on Travel: 195

Office of Financial Management

Medical Review Operational Meeting

Dates: 6/10-12/2014
Venue, City, State or Country: CMS Central Office/Grand Auditorium, Baltimore MD
How the Conference Advanced the Mission of the Agency: This meeting was held to accomplish the General Accountability Office’s (GAO) expectations outlined in the GAO-13-102 November 2012 report, stating that greater prepayment control efforts could increase savings and better ensure proper payments. The meeting accomplished this goal by educating the Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) on how to identify patterns of inappropriate billing, identify claims that have not met the Medicare coverage and coding requirements, review claims for medical necessity, and to establish corrective actions. The face-to-face interaction between CMS staff and the MACs allowed for an open exchange of ideas and through this collaborative effort, several potential solutions were identified on preventing improper payments.
Total Estimated Cost: $181,291
Total Attendees: 208
Total Feds on Travel: 40
Total Non-Feds on Travel: 168

Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Office of the Commissioner

Inter-Governmental Working Meeting on Pharmacy Compounding

Dates: 3/20-21/2014
Venue, City, State or Country: FDA White Oak Campus, Silver Spring MD
How the Conference Advanced the Mission of the Agency: The FDA Human Drug Program is responsible for ensuring the safety and efficacy of prescription, generic, and over-the-counter drug products that are available to the American public. FDA also monitors marketed drug products to ensure patient safety; and monitors drug quality to ensure the safety of the drug supply chain. This meeting provided a forum for both FDA and State officials to collaborate and reach consensus regarding the best way to provide oversight of compounding pharmacies in the future.
Total Estimated Cost: $118,000
Total Attendees: 170
Total Feds on Travel: 20
Total Non-Feds on Travel: 100

Office of Regulatory Affairs (ORA)/Office of Partnerships (OP) and Retail Food Team

Conference for Food Protection

Dates: 5/3-7/2014
Venue, City, State or Country: Lake Buena Vista Palace Hotel, Orlando FL
How the Conference Advanced the Mission of the Agency: The FDA Human Drug Program is responsible for ensuring the safety and efficacy of prescription, generic, and over-the-counter drug products that are available to the American public. FDA also monitors marketed drug products to ensure patient safety; and monitors drug quality to ensure the safety of the drug supply chain. This meeting provided a forum for both FDA and State officials to collaborate and reach consensus regarding the best way to provide oversight of compounding pharmacies in the future.
Total Estimated Cost: $134,000
Total Attendees: 370
Total Feds on Travel: 40
Total Non-Feds on Travel: 0

Office of Regulatory Affairs

ORA Senior Manager's Meeting 2014

Dates: 7/28 - 8/1/2014
Venue, City, State or Country: Baltimore Marriott Waterfront, Baltimore MD
How the Conference Advanced the Mission of the Agency: FDA's Office of Regulatory Affairs (ORA)Senior Manager's Meeting focused on the status of achieving Commissioner set deadlines, gather input, the continual development of action plans, and plans for future implementation of recommendations. The purpose of the meeting was to actively engage ORA's Senior Management Team in discussions of ORA's future: to include collaboration with FDA Centers, compliance workflow, specialization of staff, and organizational change.
Total Estimated Cost: $135,809
Total Attendees: 150
Total Feds on Travel: 150
Total Non-Feds on Travel: 0

Office of Foods and Veterinary Medicine (OFVM) /Office of the Commissioner

Partnership for Food Protection (PRP) - 2014 50-State Workshop

Dates: 8/11-14/2014
Venue, City, State or Country: Drury Plaza Hotel at the Arch, St. Louis MO
How the Conference Advanced the Mission of the Agency: With the passage of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), Congress recognized the importance of FDA working with regulatory and public health partners and made the building of the national Integrated Food Safety System (IFSS) a statutory mandate. The Partnership for Food Protection (PFP) Governing Council utilized FSMA mandates and developed the PFP Strategic Plan in such areas as inspection (§ 201), laboratories (§ 202), training (§ 209) , and other capacity building (§ 205 and 210).
Total Estimated Cost: $268,199
Total Attendees: 226
Total Feds on Travel: 76
Total Non-Feds on Travel: 150

Indian Health Service (IHS)

Office of Clinical and Preventative Services

2014 National Combined Council Meeting

Dates: 6/23-26/2014
Venue, City, State or Country: Talking Stick Resort, Scottsdale AZ
How the Conference Advanced the Mission of the Agency: This event was part of Tribal consultation and supported the agency priority goals of strengthening partnerships with Tribes and improving the quality of and access to health care services for American Indians and Alaska Natives.
Total Estimated Cost: $275,915
Total Attendees: 180
Total Feds on Travel: 162
Total Non-Feds on Travel: 0

Sexual Assault Examiner Training

Dates: 11/4-8/2013; 11/11-15/2013; 11/18-22/2013; 12/2-6/2013; 12/9-13/2013; 1/6-10/2014; 2/3-7/2014
Venue, City, State or Country: Local Federal Facility, Billings MT; Fairbanks, AK; Rapid City SD; Sacramento, CA; Columbia SC; Bemidji MN; Phoenix AZ
How the Conference Advanced the Mission of the Agency: Training was required so that Indian Health Service health care providers were in compliance with the training requirements of Chapter 29, Sexual Assault Policy, of the Indian Health Care Manual. This supported the agency objective of improving the quality of health care for American Indians and Alaska Natives.
Total Estimated Cost: $106,988 (each)
Total Attendees: 300
Total Feds on Travel: 15
Total Non-Feds on Travel: 15

Office of Tribal Self Governance

2014 Annual Tribal Self Governance Conference

Dates: 5/4-8/2014
Venue, City, State or Country: Crystal Gateway Marriott, Arlington VA
How the Conference Advanced the Mission of the Agency: Indian Health Service contributed funding for this event to support the IHS mission to raise the health of American Indians and Alaska Natives to the highest level. It also supported the agency requirement for consultation with Tribes.
Total Estimated Cost: $281,736
Total Attendees: 500
Total Feds on Travel: 50
Total Non-Feds on Travel: 0

Office of Direct Service and Contracting Tribes

2014 Direct Service Tribes National Meeting/Direct Service Tribes Advisory Committee Quarterly Meeting/IHS Director's Albuquerque Area Listening Session/IHS Budget

Dates: 7/8-10/2014
Venue, City, State or Country: Sheraton Albuquerque Uptown Hotel, Albuquerque NM
How the Conference Advanced the Mission of the Agency: The Direct Service Tribes Advisory Committee worked with Agency staff to reinforce the government to government relationship and support the Agency priorities to strengthen partnerships with Tribes and improve access to care. Required Tribal consultation was held through face-to-face tribal delegation meetings, area listening sessions, and the National Meeting, which provided those tribes that received health care services directly from the Agency with a forum to share ideas, express concerns, and receive updates on programs, policies, and legislative changes.
Total Estimated Cost: $110,183
Total Attendees: 250
Total Feds on Travel: 93
Total Non-Feds on Travel: 18

National Indian Health Board 31st Annual Consumer Conference

Dates: 5/4-8/2014
Venue, City, State or Country: Hyatt Regency, Albuquerque NM
How the Conference Advanced the Mission of the Agency: This conference attracted Tribal leaders, health directors and stakeholders to address current public health issues and opportunities. The Indian Health Service and other agencies utilized this public forum to provide consultation and discuss health program objectives in the American Indian and Alaska Native communities in the interest of improving Indian Healthcare for all 566 Federally-recognized Tribes including Tribal governments operating their own healthcare delivery system and Tribes that continue to receive healthcare directly from the Indian Health Service.
Total Estimated Cost: $101,827
Total Attendees: 400
Total Feds on Travel: 36
Total Non-Feds on Travel: 7

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

National Eye Institute

Course on Fundamental Issues in Vision Research 5 U13 EY010618-12

Dates: 8/4-18/2014
Venue, City, State or Country: Marine Biological Laboratories (MBL), Woods Hole MA
How the Conference Advanced the Mission of the Agency: The development of new therapies for treatment, prevention, and amelioration of diseases leading to blindness and impaired vision required state-of-the-art, research, which in turn required a steady influx into the field of talented, well trained, and productive young scientists, with a deep understanding of the visual system and the relationship between fundamental processes and human disease. This conference grant seeks to nurture the very best of the next generation of vision scientists and help prepare them for research careers that will lead to new breakthroughs.
Total Estimated Cost: $152,497
Total Attendees: 54
Total Feds on Travel: 2
Total Non-Feds on Travel: 52

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

Iron and Malaria Project sessions within the "Micronutrient Forum 2014: Bridging scientific advances and programs to improve health"

Dates: 6/2-6/2014
Venue, City, State or Country: United Nations Conference Centre, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
How the Conference Advanced the Mission of the Agency: The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) received a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) to address issues specific to the safety and effectiveness of interventions to prevent and treat iron deficiency. The project stipulated that NICHD conduct a regional consultation and draft a report describing the impact of the current programs, policies, and research with regard to the safety and effectiveness of interventions to prevent and treat iron deficiency in areas of endemic infection including malaria. The project was funded to include research (de novo grants) and translational activities. Part of the latter is an effort to obtain input from the larger global food, nutrition and health community. In exploring options for conducting this consultative process, NICHD program staff held discussions with its partners and determined that an ideal option for implementing this plan would be to dovetail the goals of the consultation onto the plans for the Micronutrient Forum (MNF) held in June 2014 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. By exploiting this unique opportunity provided by a collaboration with the Micronutrient Initiative and the MNF, NICHD was able to leverage available funds to address the breadth of issues that have evolved since the beginning of this project including new evidence on diet, health, and a plethora of new programs and guidelines regarding iron both clinically and at population levels.
Total Estimated Cost: $339,475
Total Attendees: 550
Total Feds on Travel: 14
Total Non-Feds on Travel: 38

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

NIAID Post Award Grants Policy and Management Training

Dates: 5/5-7/2014
Venue, City, State or Country: Hyatt Regency, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
How the Conference Advanced the Mission of the Agency: NIAID conducts and supports basic and applied research to better understand, treat, and ultimately prevent infectious, immunologic, and allergic diseases. The investment in global health research is expected to yield returns that will better the health of people worldwide. NIAID's global research program includes projects in Africa. NIAID is committed to supporting research in Africa, which is evident by the $48.8 million in awards made in FY-13 to grantees (or subcomponents of U.S. grantees) in the region. To ensure research moves forward uninterrupted due to compliance concerns, it is important that our foreign research partners understand and comply with DHHS/NIH/NIAID policies and procedures.
Total Estimated Cost: $100,619
Total Attendees: 100
Total Feds on Travel: 6
Total Non-Feds on Travel: 4

United States-Japan Cooperative Medical Sciences Program (USJCMSP) Regional Scientific Conference on Viral Diseases of Priority in the Region

Dates: 2/9-13/2014
Venue, City, State or Country: Dhaka Regency Hotel, Dhaka, Bangladesh
How the Conference Advanced the Mission of the Agency: A greater focus on global health is one of the NIH priorities emphasized by Dr. Francis S. Collins. NIAID's mission includes supporting a broad spectrum of both basic and applied research in epidemiology in the U.S. and in many parts of the world. The USJCMSP is an important Western Pacific Bi-lateral Agreement that offers unusual opportunities for NIAID and U.S. scientists access in a region with emerging scientific opportunities and infectious disease threats.
Total Estimated Cost: $355,341
Total Attendees: 160
Total Feds on Travel: 15
Total Non-Feds on Travel: 45

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Exploring the Role of Beige and Brown Fat in Humans

Dates: 2/25-26/2014
Venue, City, State or Country: Lister Hill, Bethesda MD
How the Conference Advanced the Mission of the Agency: In FY10 and FY11, the National Institutes of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), solicited R21 projects to develop tools and methods to measure the mass of brown adipose tissue (BAT) In human populations; to develop new tools to modulate and measure the metabolic activity of human BAT or to develop additional markers of human BAT tissue mass or activity.

The purpose of this meeting was for NIDDK to hear from all the investigators that received grant support to begin developing novel methods to measure brown fat mass and function in humans, and to learn about their advances and also roadblocks they are encountering. NIDDK also heard from other researchers in the United States and abroad on the following topics: 1) Physiological functions and clinical relevance of human BAT: a 2013 perspective; 2) Measuring human BAT activity; 3) Classical and inducible brown, beige and brite fat in humans (these were novel fat depots); 4) Measuring human BAT mass and activity: emerging approaches; 5) Human BAT as a therapeutic target; 6) Human BAT research: future directions and 7) Novel roles of human BAT: thinking outside the box. Through scientific presentations (talks and posters) and discussions, NIDDK learned of unmet scientific opportunities and roadblocks to modulating human BAT that helped in modulating the function of this newly discovered tissue to potentially combat the negative metabolic consequences of obesity, diabetes and certain types of lipodystrophies.
Total Estimated Cost: $146,427
Total Attendees: 170
Total Feds on Travel: 50
Total Non-Feds on Travel: 120

National Institute of Environmental Health Services

Environmental Health Literacy

Dates: 9/22-24/2014
Venue, City, State or Country: NIEHS Conference Room, Durham NC
How the Conference Advanced the Mission of the Agency: This meeting supported the mission of NIEHS and its Strategic Plan by addressing the following goals: Goal 11 - Communication - - examined environmental health risk communication approaches as well as consider the interface between research and communication of those affected by environmental exposures; Goal 6 - Health disparities (HD) - - considered how improved communication and strengthened EHL can help to reduce environmental contribution to HD; Goal 8 - Education - - explored strategies for educating researchers on improving communication skills and raising.
Total Estimated Cost: $107,000
Total Attendees: 150
Total Feds on Travel: 15
Total Non-Feds on Travel: 30

Review of Superfund Hazardous Substance Research and Training Program P42 Center Grants

Dates: 10/23-25/2014
Venue, City, State or Country: Sheraton, Chapel Hill NC
How the Conference Advanced the Mission of the Agency: In accordance with the NIH mission, the Superfund Hazardous Substance Research and Training Program sought to support mechanistic and/or mode of action research that includes laboratory and production based studies for unraveling critical biological pathways that contribute to disease when perturbed by environmental contaminants.
Total Estimated Cost: $174,093
Total Attendees: 90
Total Feds on Travel: 0
Total Non-Feds on Travel: 75

National Institute of General Medical Sciences

National Institutional Development Award (IDeA) Symposium of Biomedical Excellence (NISBRE)

Dates: 6/16-18/2014
Venue, City, State or Country: Omni Shoreham Hotel, Washington DC
How the Conference Advanced the Mission of the Agency: The Institutional Development Award (IDeA) program is one of the programs in the Division of Training and Workforce Development & Diversity, NIGMS. The mission of the IDeA program is to broaden the geographic distribution of NIH funding for biomedical and behavioral research. The program fosters health-related research and enhances the competitiveness of Investigators at institutions located in states in which the aggregate success rate for applications to NIH has historically been low.
Total Estimated Cost: $331,867
Total Attendees: 1,000
Total Feds on Travel: 20
Total Non-Feds on Travel: 72

National Institutes of Mental Health

2014 Annual Meeting of the Outreach Partnership Program

Dates: 4/1-3/2014
Venue, City, State or Country: Natcher Conference Center, Bethesda MD
How the Conference Advanced the Mission of the Agency: The Outreach Partnership Program (OPP) Annual Meeting directly supported the NIH and NIMH missions and NIMH strategic objectives. Specifically, NIH's mission to seek fundamental knowledge about the nature and behavior of living systems and the application of that knowledge to enhance health, lengthen life, and reduce the burdens of illness and disability. This meeting directly supported the application of the new knowledge by providing an opportunity for community partners to hear the latest mental health research and bring community perspective through dialogue with researchers and NIMH staff about how to apply the findings in their states and communities.
Total Estimated Cost: $170,068
Total Attendees: 105
Total Feds on Travel: 0
Total Non-Feds on Travel: 63

National Institutes of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Advancing Research in Parkinson's Disease and Related Disorders

Dates: 5/4-8/2014
Venue, City, State or Country: Natcher Conference Center, Bethesda MD
How the Conference Advanced the Mission of the Agency: The mission of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke is to reduce the burden of neurological disease. By formulating topical questions on approaches to research and treatment, this conference informed NINDS strategy in research programs on Parkinson's Disease, and related disorders, as well as identified areas for collaboration with federal agencies and nongovernment stakeholders. A Request for Information (RFI) was used to solicit input from the public and to guide topics to be addressed at the meeting. This meeting generated significant interest from and participation by the Parkinson's disease advocacy community.
Total Estimated Cost: $278,838
Total Attendees: 500
Total Feds on Travel: 0
Total Non-Feds on Travel: 80

Neurological Effects after Chemical Nerve Agent Exposures

Dates: 2/26-27/2014
Venue, City, State or Country: Neuroscience Center, Bethesda MD
How the Conference Advanced the Mission of the Agency: The Health and Human Services has charged the National Institutes of Health with basic and translational bio defense research. The National Institutes of Health's three biodefense programs (biological, radiation/nuclear, and chemical) have been overseen by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease. As part of this effort, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke in partnership with several other National Institutes of Health Institutes developed the National Institutes of Health Countermeasures Against Chemical Threats (CounterACT) Program in 2006. This workshop directly supported the missions of the Public Health Emergency Medical Countermeasures Enterprise and the National Institutes of Health CounterACT programs increasing the nation’s medical response capabilities after a terrorist attack or other emergency.
Total Estimated Cost: $103,466
Total Attendees: 67
Total Feds on Travel: 1
Total Non-Feds on Travel: 28

Small Blood Vessels: Big Health Problems? Conference

Dates: 9/18-19/2014
Venue, City, State or Country: Porter Neuroscience Building 35, Bethesda MD
How the Conference Advanced the Mission of the Agency: The mission of NINDS is to seek fundamental knowledge/ understanding about the normal brain and nervous system function and reduced the burden of neurological disease. This workshop directly supported this mission by bringing together leading researchers and clinicians, fostering discussion of emergent issues in the research and treatment of small vessel disease in brain as well as in peripheral organs, such as heart, lung, eye, and kidney.
Total Estimated Cost: $163,499
Total Attendees: 350
Total Feds on Travel: 200
Total Non-Feds on Travel: 150

Interventions Designed to Eliminate and Solve Stroke Disparities (IDEAS Stroke Disparities)

Dates: 11/20-21/2013
Venue, City, State or Country: Bethesda Doubletree, Bethesda MD
How the Conference Advanced the Mission of the Agency: The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke's mission is to reduce the burden of neurological disease including every segment of society. This workshop produced a prioritized list of potential intervention targets based on discussions by a broad range of stakeholders (including stroke patients, the American Heart and Stroke Associations, and National Stroke Association), scientific leaders, and federal representatives and provided stimulation and facilitation of research in stroke disparities.
Total Estimated Cost: $126,241
Total Attendees: 129
Total Feds on Travel:
Total Non-Feds on Travel: 30

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

Center for Substance Abuse Treatment

American Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence (AATOD) Conference

Dates: 11/9-13/2013
Venue, City, State or Country: Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, Philadelphia PA
How the Conference Advanced the Mission of the Agency: The American Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence (AATOD) conference supported the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA) goal of increasing access to care, specifically comprehensive treatment services to individuals in need. Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) is a part of a comprehensive treatment continuum that supports individual recovery from opioid addiction. This conference directly related to SAMHSA's regulatory oversight of opioid treatment programs (OTPs) and the support of medical and substance abuse professional training related to MAT. SAMHSA works closely with AATOD, State Opioid Treatment Authorities (SOTAs), other associations, and government agencies on educating the recovery community on federal regulation, epidemiologic trends, and safety issues. SAMHSA has a regulatory responsibility to consult with the SOTAs on emerging topics and state level policy changes and used this conference as a platform to provide scientific, policy related, and regulatory updates. It further provided an opportunity for members of the field to discuss epidemiological trends related to opioid use.
Total Estimated Cost: $100,359
Total Attendees: 506
Total Feds on Travel: 21
Total Non-Feds on Travel: 73

Center for Mental Health Services

Alternatives 2013

Dates: 12/4-7/2013
Venue, City, State or Country: Hyatt Regency Hotel, Austin TX
How the Conference Advanced the Mission of the Agency: The conference provided attendees with information about effective treatments and services as well as broader systems transformation of the service system. The Alternatives Conference embodied the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA’s) mission by promoting understanding of mental and substance use disorders and by educating peers, family members and a continuum of other policy makers about resiliency and by building practical skills. These skills include the use of evidence-based practices such as WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan) to support recovery. This conference directly supported SAMHSA's Recovery Support initiative which is geared towards fostering the increase of employment, education, and the reduction of barriers to social inclusion.
Total Estimated Cost: $158,654
Total Attendees: 642
Total Feds on Travel: 7
Total Non-Feds on Travel: 26

National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative (NCTSI) All-Network Conference

Dates: 3/4-6/2014
Venue, City, State or Country: Fairview Marriott Hotel, Falls Church VA
How the Conference Advanced the Mission of the Agency: The National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative (NCTSI) conference supported the agency's strategic initiative on Trauma and Justice by promoting the development of interventions and resources for traumatized children, adolescents, and families. The All-Network Conference developed and supported collaborative activities among network grantees and provided professional education on topics related to child trauma. Face-to-face interaction among these grantees is critical in developing effective collaborative network approaches to improving child trauma treatment and services.
Total Estimated Cost: $160,193
Total Attendees: 456
Total Feds on Travel: 0
Total Non-Feds on Travel: 22

Improving Diversion Policies and Programs for Justice Involved Youth with Co-occurring Mental and Substance Use Disorders

Dates: 3/11-13/2014
Venue, City, State or Country: Hyatt Regency, Bethesda MD
How the Conference Advanced the Mission of the Agency: The Juvenile Justice Policy Academy directly supported the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA's) Trauma and Justice Strategic Initiative by assisting selected states in addressing the behavioral health needs of youth, especially youth of color, who are disproportionately involved in or at risk of involvement in the juvenile justice system. The Policy Academy responded to specific action items in SAMHSA's Strategic Initiative on Trauma and Justice that seek to: connect children and youth with programs to address trauma experienced in childhood; expand alternative responses and diversion for youth with mental and substance use disorders who are involved in the juvenile justice system; and make trauma-informed care, screening, and treatment more available for people in contact with criminal justice systems.
Total Estimated Cost: $221,137
Total Attendees: 92
Total Feds on Travel: 0
Total Non-Feds on Travel: 52

Service Members, Veterans and their Families (SMVF) 2014 Policy Academy (1 of 3)

Dates: 3/13-14/2014
Venue, City, State or Country: Sheraton Inner Harbor, Baltimore MD
How the Conference Advanced the Mission of the Agency: The first of three (3) 2014 Service Members, Veterans and their Families (SMVF) Policy Academies was an opportunity for 15 states to receive specialized technical assistance designed to strengthen behavioral health care systems and services for SMVF. These Policy Academies supported the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's Strategic Initiative on Military Families. During 1.5 days of meeting, the interagency (state/federal/community) teams endorsed by their respective governors, developed or enhanced a strategic plan to increase access to care, close gaps in the system, build system capacity, and incorporate best practice which states committed to implementing. The variation in cost among the three SMVF Policy Academies is attributed to several factors, which include the total number of attendees, travel support for non-federal attendees, venue cost for each location, and length of the meeting.
Total Estimated Cost: $156,739
Total Attendees: 108
Total Feds on Travel: 1
Total Non-Feds on Travel: 72

Project LAUNCH 2014

Dates: 3/31 - 4/2/2014
Venue, City, State or Country: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, Bethesda MD
How the Conference Advanced the Mission of the Agency: The Project LAUNCH (Linking Actions for Unmet Needs in Children's Health) grantee meeting supported the first strategic initiative of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): the Prevention of Substance Abuse and Mental Illness. This meeting provided an opportunity for Project LAUNCH grantees to receive training and technical assistance; and the creation of communities where individuals, families, schools, faith-based organizations, and workplaces take action to promote emotional health and reduce the likelihood of mental illness, substance abuse including tobacco, and suicide with a particular focus on the nation's high-risk youth.
Total Estimated Cost: $108,745
Total Attendees: 234
Total Feds on Travel: 1
Total Non-Feds on Travel: 16

Service Members, Veterans and their Families (SMVF) 2014 Policy Academy (2 of 3)

Dates: 4/24-25/2014
Venue, City, State or Country: Hilton Baltimore, Baltimore MD
How the Conference Advanced the Mission of the Agency: The second of three (3) 2014 Service Members, Veterans and their Families (SMVF) Policy Academies was an opportunity for 13 states/territories to receive specialized technical assistance designed to strengthen behavioral health care systems and services for SMVF. These Policy Academies supported the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's Strategic Initiative on Military Families. During 1.5 days of meeting, the interagency (state/federal/community) teams endorsed by their respective governors, developed or enhanced a strategic plan to increase access to care, close gaps in the system, build system capacity, and incorporate best practice which states committed to implementing. The variation in cost among the three SMVF Policy Academies is attributed to several factors, which include the total number of attendees, travel support for non-federal attendees, venue cost for each location, and length of the meeting.
Total Estimated Cost: $193,120
Total Attendees: 99
Total Feds on Travel: 1
Total Non-Feds on Travel: 72

Juvenile Justice Tribal Policy Academy

Dates: 6/3-5/2014
Venue, City, State or Country: Hyatt Regency Tamaya, Bermaillo NM
How the Conference Advanced the Mission of the Agency: The Juvenile Justice Tribal Policy Academy directly supported the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA's) Trauma and Justice Strategic Initiative by assisting selected tribes in addressing the behavioral health needs of tribal youth who are involved in or at risk of involvement in the juvenile justice system. The goals are to increase the number of tribal youth with co-occurring mental and substance use disorders diverted out of the juvenile justice system to appropriate community-based behavioral health services incorporating Native American practices and services, and to reduce inappropriate and unnecessary contact of these tribal youth with the juvenile justice system.
Total Estimated Cost: $166,728
Total Attendees: 62
Total Feds on Travel: 2
Total Non-Feds on Travel: 45

Garrett Lee Smith Combined Campus, State, and Tribal Grantee Meeting 2014

Dates: 9/9-11/2014
Venue, City, State or Country: Washington Marriott Wardman Park, Washington DC
How the Conference Advanced the Mission of the Agency: The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's first Strategic Initiative is the Prevention of Substance Abuse and Mental Illness. This conference directly supported Goal 1.3 of this initiative which is to prevent suicides and suicide attempts among populations at high risk, especially military families; lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth; and American Indians and Alaska Natives. These groups have been identified as having higher rates of suicide or suicide attempts and in need of outreach. As a result of attending this conference. SAMHSA's grantees work more effectively to prevent suicide and promote mental health in these populations.
Total Estimated Cost: $136,914
Total Attendees: 542
Total Feds on Travel: 2
Total Non-Feds on Travel: 17

Voice Awards 2014

Dates: 8/13/2014
Venue, City, State or Country: University of California, Los Angeles, CA
How the Conference Advanced the Mission of the Agency: The Voice Awards event recognized the accurate and respectful representation of people with behavioral health challenges in film and TV productions. The event promoted the reduction of negative attitudes toward individuals with behavioral health problems and supported the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) strategic initiatives that address prevention, trauma and justice, military families, recovery, and public awareness and support.
Total Estimated Cost: $156,382
Total Attendees: 520
Total Feds on Travel: 3
Total Non-Feds on Travel: 19

2014 Service Members, Veterans and their Families (SMVF) Workforce Development Conference

Dates: 9/8-9/2014
Venue, City, State or Country: Hilton Hotel Baltimore, Baltimore MD
How the Conference Advanced the Mission of the Agency: This conference responded specifically to the action items in the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's Military Families Strategic Initiative that seek to (1) improve the quality of behavioral health-focused prevention, treatment, and recovery support services by helping providers respond to the needs within the military family culture and (2) promote the behavioral health of military families with programs and evidence-based practices that support their resilience and emotional health.
Total Estimated Cost: $238,084
Total Attendees: 148
Total Feds on Travel: 1
Total Non-Feds on Travel: 112

Service Members, Veterans and their Families (SMVF) 2014 Policy Academy (3 of 3)

Dates: 9/15-17/2014
Venue, City, State or Country: Hyatt Regency, Bethesda MD
How the Conference Advanced the Mission of the Agency: The third of three (3) 2014 Service Members, Veterans and their Families (SMVF) Policy Academies was an opportunity for 13 states/territories to receive specialized technical assistance designed to strengthen behavioral health care systems and services for SMVF. These Policy Academies supported the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's Strategic Initiative on Military Families. During 2.5 days of meeting, the interagency (state/federal/community) teams endorsed by their respective governors, developed or enhanced a strategic plan to increase access to care, close gaps in the system, build system capacity, and incorporate best practice which states committed to implementing. The variation in cost among the three SMVF Policy Academies is attributed to several factors, which include the total number of attendees, travel support for non-federal attendees, venue cost for each location, and length of the meeting.
Total Estimated Cost: $254,496
Total Attendees: 137
Total Feds on Travel: 1
Total Non-Feds on Travel: 81

Center for Substance Abuse Prevention

Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) 24th Annual National Leadership Forum

Dates: 2/4-7/2014
Venue, City, State or Country: Gaylord National Hotel and Convention Center, National Harbor MD
How the Conference Advanced the Mission of the Agency: The Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America's National Leadership Forum (NLF) supported the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA) mission to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America's communities and Strategic Initiative #1, which is the Prevention of Substance Abuse and Mental Illness. The NLF offered in-depth training sessions geared specifically for behavioral health professionals, community coalition leaders, SAMHSA staff, and grantees. This year's NLF expanded on the theme of "Coalitions: Science, Strategies, and Solutions" which emphasized the importance of developing broad-based strategic alliances, implementing proven and promising strategies, and achieving population-level change.
Total Estimated Cost: $288,752
Total Attendees: 2,509
Total Feds on Travel: 0
Total Non-Feds on Travel: 113

National Synar Workshop

Dates: 5/6-8/2014
Venue, City, State or Country: SAMHSA Building, Rockville, MD
How the Conference Advanced the Mission of the Agency: The Synar Program is a regulatory program monitored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to reduce the retail sale of tobacco to minors. The National Synar Workshop supported SAMHSA's first strategic initiative, the prevention of substance abuse and mental illness. It provided attendees with the knowledge to: 1) Identify the benefits of collaborating with diverse federal, state, and local partners to further reduce youth access to, and use of, tobacco products; 2) Describe how Synar activities can be coordinated with the Food and Drug Administration, and identify specific examples of coordination at the state level; and 3) Identify innovative approaches to common Synar program and management problems.
Total Estimated Cost: $216,181
Total Attendees: 158
Total Feds on Travel: 0
Total Non-Feds on Travel: 122

Center for Substance Abuse Treatment

Dr. Lonnie E. Mitchell HBCU Behavioral Health Policy Academy

Dates: 4/4-6/2014
Venue, City, State or Country: Hilton Atlanta Downtown, Atlanta GA
How the Conference Advanced the Mission of the Agency: The Dr. Lonnie E. Mitchell Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Behavioral Health Policy Academy's focus supported the following strategic initiatives: Prevention of Substance Abuse and Mental Illness, Health Reform, Public Awareness and Support, and Recovery Support. The Academy worked with HBCUs to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America's communities. The key goals of the Academy were to increase and improve public awareness and support of behavioral health on HBCU campuses and communities and to increase access to high-quality care to reduce behavioral health disparities. The Academy achieved its goals by promoting opportunities for HBCU institutions to develop internships at behavioral health sites; to expand knowledge of culturally appropriate, evidence-based and emerging best practices in the behavioral health field.
Total Estimated Cost: $175,792
Total Attendees: 120
Total Feds on Travel: 6
Total Non-Feds on Travel: 114

National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors

Dates: 6/17-19/2014
Venue, City, State or Country: Bethesda Hyatt, Bethesda MD
How the Conference Advanced the Mission of the Agency: The National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors (NASADAD) Conference served as an opportunity for senior Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) staff members to highlight SAMHSA initiatives. It also addressed state issues affecting NASADAD members. Issues included implementation of health care reform and the Affordable Care Act, health information technologies, implementation of evidence based practices, utilization of appropriate models for co-occurring behavioral health issues, and models for the provision of trauma informed care.
Total Estimated Cost: $237,870
Total Attendees: 270
Total Feds on Travel: 20
Total Non-Feds on Travel: 131

Office of Policy, Planning & Innovation

National Network to Eliminate Disparities (NNED) in Behavioral Health - National Network to Eliminate Disparities (NNED) Learn 2014

Dates: 4/7-9/2014
Venue, City, State or Country: Hyatt Tamaya, Santa Ana Pueblo NM
How the Conference Advanced the Mission of the Agency: The National Network to Eliminate Disparities (NNED) Learn 2014 conference was directly aligned with the mission of the Office of Behavioral Health Equity (OBHE) to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on populations that experience behavioral health disparities by improving access to quality services. It supported and enabled individuals and families to thrive, participate in and contribute to healthy communities. The OBHE was established in accordance with Section 10334 of the Affordable Care Act of 2010 to support SAMHSA's work.
Total Estimated Cost: $202,704
Total Attendees: 123
Total Feds on Travel: 4
Total Non-Feds on Travel: 118

Prescription Drug Abuse Policy Academy

Dates: 8/11-13/2014
Venue, City, State or Country: Bethesda Hyatt Hotel, Bethesda MD
How the Conference Advanced the Mission of the Agency: The Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention Policy Academy developed state/territory/tribal specific strategic plans that would strengthen behavioral health care systems and reduce the misuse and abuse of prescription drugs. It is consistent with the Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act 1122 report, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's strategic initiative on Prevention, the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation recommendations, and the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) National Drug Control Strategy and Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention Plan.
Total Estimated Cost: $461,237
Total Attendees: 198
Total Feds on Travel: 46
Total Non-Feds on Travel: 152

Office of the Secretary (OS)

Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT

ONC Annual Meeting

Dates: 12/10-12/2013
Venue, City, State or Country: Washington Hilton, Washington DC
How the Conference Advanced the Mission of the Agency: The conference will be aimed to assist ONC grantees and other organizations that are committed to assisting providers to meaningfully use health IT. The meeting will also allow ONC to assist other federal agencies to identify ways that the meaningful use of Health IT can support their goals. Finally, the meeting will assist ONC to ensure that its grantees continue to support providers across the Country during the period of performance and after the grant awards end.
Total Estimated Cost: $187,256
Total Attendees: 16
Total Feds on Travel: 0
Total Non-Feds on Travel: 16

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health - Office of Adolescent Health

2014 HHS Teen Pregnancy Prevention Grantee Conference

Dates: 6/4-6/2014
Venue, City, State or Country: Washington Hilton, Washington DC
How the Conference Advanced the Mission of the Agency: This was the first year that OAH, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) partnered to conduct a single conference for all grantees funded across the three agencies to prevent teen pregnancy. The conference directly supported the mission of ACF, CDC and OAH by providing training and technical assistance to grantees to ensure high quality programming for youth. In addition, the conference provided a unique opportunity for networking with grantees funded by the three agencies, which allowed grantees to form collaborations and partnerships and ensure that funded programs build and support one another rather than duplicate services.
Total Estimated Cost: $625,635
Total Attendees: 41
Total Feds on Travel: 25
Total Non-Feds on Travel: 16

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health

National Title X Reproductive Health Conference

Dates: 8/2-6/2014
Venue, City, State or Country: Caribe Royale Hotel and Convention Center, Orlando FL
How the Conference Advanced the Mission of the Agency: The National Clinical Training Center for Family Planning (CTCFP) is charged with proving training ensured that health care practitioners providing services in Title X-funded service projects have the KSA's to provide effective, high quality family planning clinical services. This Conference provided clinical and academic sessions for continued nursing and medical credit including real hands-on skills labs with real standardized patients. OPA has provided ongoing advice and guidance to the grantee on HHS policy regarding efficient spending, especially as it is related to conferences, food, publications and promotional items. OPA continues to seek options for decreasing overall costs, especially as it relates to conference space, A/V and other costs.
Total Estimated Cost: $217,524
Total Attendees: 47
Total Feds on Travel: 12
Total Non-Feds on Travel: 35

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation

HHS Policy Academy on Presriber-Focused Interventions to Address Opioid Overdose and Deaths

Dates: 7/17-18/2014
Venue, City, State or Country: Hyatt, Washington DC
How the Conference Advanced the Mission of the Agency: HHS is currently working across the Department to ensure a cohesive approach that a addresses the key risks involved in prescription drug abuse, particularly opioid-related overdoses and deaths. This conference provides a unique opportunity for HHS to directly interface with state governments on this issue, with a particular focus on provider-focused strategies, and discuss how best HHS and state governments can work together to expeditiously leverage resources to address the important provider-driven facet of this public health epidemic.
Total Estimated Cost: $275,000
Total Attendees: 161
Total Feds on Travel: 8
Total Non-Feds on Travel: 153

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Content last reviewed on January 24, 2014