1. Project Description

Note:This section should not exceed five (5) typewritten pages. Font size should be no smaller than a ten-point typeface. All areas of this section are required to be addressed)

1. Brief explanation of project.
2. Statement of need/ problem to be addressed.
3. Description of constituency to be served and how they will be benefited (Please indicate number of women to be served).
4. Description of project goals and measurable objectives.
5. Description of activities planned to accomplish these goals. Is this a new or ongoing activity of your organization?
6. Timetable for accomplishing goals (Please note: Quarterly progress reports are required).
7. Description of other organizations or entities, if any, participating in the project. If applicable, letters of collaboration should be included from each organization.
8. Long term strategies for funding of the project after initial funding.
9. A review of comparable projects offered in this service area and an explanation of how this program is unique.
10. Definition of success for the project and how it will be measured.
11. Use of the project’s results and how they are to be disseminated.

Answers that need editing, our starting point:

a. Brief expalnation of project:

Sistah’s Surviving Breast Cancer (SSBC) is a breast cancer support organization providing  myriad educational and support opportunities for survivors and their relatives. Breast cancer touches all of us, and SSBC endeavors to support all women living with this disease.  However, because African American women have the highest rates of cancer incidences and mortality, they are SSBC's primary focus.  When awarded this grant, SSBC will provide services to approximately 250-300 African-American and other minority women through breast cancer  prevention workshops and materials. These educational workshops will  address cultural myths that prevent many minority women from seeking medical attention.  Topics include: Triple Touch / Self-Examination, Diagnosis & Treatment, Surgery & Post-Reconstructive Surgery options, Personal Development,  and Support Group/Caregiver workshops.

B. This demographic does not have appropriate access to basic medical care.  Research has shown that barriers to participation in cancer screening activities for African-American women include: cost and/or lack of insurance, transportation barriers, access-related factors, lack of time, lack of physician recommendation, fear, lack of breast cancer knowledge, and misunderstanding of recommended screening frequency. Negative cultural mindsets attribute to the fact that African-Americans have the highest rate of cancer incidence and mortality of any United States population group. In addtion, economically challenged, minority, and elderly women are less likely to participate in cancer screenings.  Being a part of the community allows the SSBC to better provide: informational forums, wellness workshops, conferences, and retreats.These activities will acknowledge, support, and honor survivors’  courage during their  battle with cancer.  

Description of constituency to be served and how they will be benefited (Please indicate number of women to be served).

b.      Description of program goals and measurable objectives.

The main goal of this program is to increase breast health and early detection as well as the awareness and education of methods available in the African American and minority communities. This goal will complement our effort to reduce the disparities in breast cancer deaths, treatment and recovery, and various cultural myths. This goal will be delivered through various measurable objectives including: a minimum number of counseling sessions recorded by attendence cards, participation in a pledge to continue breast self examination, entrance and exit surveys to chart progress. Each participant will complete an evaluation form prior to leaving each workshop. The Program Director will also track attendance via a sign-in sheet and meeting minutes.

c.       Description of activities planned to accomplish these goals. Is this a new or ongoing activity of your organization?

Planned events and activities include, but not limited to, the following: lecture using Power Point presentation slides; guided discussions; followed by Questions & Answers. Break-out session topics to include but not limited to ACS Cancer Screening Guidelines; Breast Cancer Survival; Breast Health; Diagnosis & Treatment; Cultural Myths; Personal Development; Sister Study; Surgery & Post-Reconstructive Surgery options; Support Group / Caregiver workshop; and Triple Touch / Self-Examination. Presenters include medical staff from Gulfcoast Oncology Associates, American Cancer Society Volunteers, and The Witness Project., and faculty of the University of South Florida and St. Petersburg College.

d.      Timetable for accomplishing goals (Please note: Quarterly reports are required).

The timetable for accomplishing these goals will include weekly/monthly/bi-monthly workshops. Monthly reporting will be accounted for and quarterly reports will be provided.

Sistah’s Surviving Breast Cancer will be able to provide quarterly reports and keep monthly ongoing reports onsite.

e.      Description of other organizations or entities, if any, participating in the Program. If applicable, letters of collaboration should be included from each organization.

Collaborating partners for some activities/events include medical staff from Gulfcoast Oncology Associates, board members of the Gulfcoast Oncology Foundation, The Witness Project, and American Cancer Society volunteers. 

f.        Long term strategies for funding of the Program after initial funding.

Sistah’s Surviving Breast Cancer will continue to apply for grants, solicit for in-kind services, and use volunteers to provide services in an effort to continue its mission and as a part of its long term strategies for funding.  Sistah’s Surviving Breast Cancer has been providing services thus far based on volunteers and donations. With additional funding, the continuation of broader services will prevail to the needed community of survivors.

g.       A review of comparable programs offered in this service area and an explanation of how this program is unique.

There are  a number of comparable breast cancer awareness programs and/or support group offered in St. Petersburg, FL.  Our program is unique because the message of cancer education is reflected to the targeted cultural audience. Often, the message is best delivered by those who are reflective of the community.   Sistah’s Surviving Breast Cancer will deliver the message by those who live in the targeted community, those whose life experiences have made them acutely aware of the issue, and those who are committed to provide knowledge and assistance to the African-American  and minority community.. We cannot let this silent killer continue to wreak havoc in our community. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” Researchers too often look at community-based research as something placed in the community opposed to research truly based in the community. If the problems are in the community, the solutions are in the community. Those solutions are trust, respect, partnership and collaboration, flexibility, and knowledge. Sistah’s Surviving Breast Cancer is striving to succeed at these solutions in an attempt to break all community barriers. We must make a paradigm shift and address the problem at its root, in the community.

h.      Definition of success for the Program and how it will be measured.

Success for the program is defined as .It will be measured through an evaluation plan. Participants and presenters will receive a self-administered questionnaire used to collect information regarding the structure of the workshop, topical content, materials and resources provided, acquisition of new knowledge, presenters’ efficacy, location, and overall services provided.

i.        Use of the Program's results and how they are to be disseminated.

The program’s results will be used as a part of the evaluation process to ensure the targeted population and services provided are exceedingly met. The results will be disseminated to all funders, collaborators, community partners, participants (if applicable), along with