MOU 225-04-4002
Memorandum of Understanding Between
the United States Department of Health and Human Services
Food and Drug Administration and Blacks in Government, Inc.
I. PURPOSE
This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) defines a broad programmaic scope, policies and principles where educational campaigns on food safety education for children, families and communities may be carried out. The programs to be carried under this MOU are supported by the Public Health Service Act and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) initiatives, including Healthy People 2010 goals, which call for leadership to promote health and disease prevention.
II. BACKGROUND
The parties to this agreement intend to work to address issues affecting children, families and communities within the context of each organization's jurisdiction. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), HHS, and Blacks in Government, Inc. (BIG) have been independently conducting programs to increase the public's understanding of food safety and to involve these individuals in their respective programs. All recognize the success of those efforts could be improved by greater collaboration and share common interests in educating children and families on food safety.
BIG has focused its outreach on the needs of children, families and communities. Similarly, the FDA has focused its efforts mostly on the needs of the general population with intermittent emphasis on adolescent and youth populations.
The goals of this collaboration will be to carry out the following:
• Improve the health and well-being of children, families and communities;
• Increase understanding and access to food safety education materials;
• Provide support to increase the delivery of suitable, educational materials and information;
• Provide information to promote informed health choices about the benefits and risks of FDA-regulated products;
• Support distribution methods for health education materials through elementary and middle schools;
• Support conferences, focus groups, and consumer studies that provide perspectives on the health care needs of children, families and communities; and
• Support educational programs and events that encourage and promote food safety.
III. SCOPE OF WORK
The FDA and BIG express their firm intent to address issues of children, families
and communities within the context of food safety education. Given the diversity
of education, knowledge, understanding and the American culture, BIG will work with FDA to increase outreach to children, families and communities.
FDA and BIG have set up formal liaisons for both organizations that will foster information exchanges through this MOU. Other roles of the organization liaisons may include:
• Work with joint task groups to identify the support and outreach necessary to provide children, families and communities with information and education; and
• Exchange information on currently funded programs that have objectives to address food safety educational needs of children, families and communities.
IV. DURATION OF AGREEMENT
This MOU will become effective on acceptance by all parties and will continue in effect indefinitely. This MOU may be changed by common written consent or terminated by either party on 60-day advance notice to the other parties.
V. LIAISONS/PROJECT OFFICERS
Food and Drug Administration
LaJuana D. Caldwell
Director, Office of the Executive Secretariat
Office of External Relations
Office of the Commissioner
Food and Drug Administration
5600 Fishers Lane, Room 16-70
Rockville, Maryland 20857
301-827-3424
301-827-4396 FAX
Dr. Beverly Lyn-Cook
Blacks In Government, Inc.
3005 Georgia Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20001
202-667-3280
202-667-3705 FAX
Approved and Accepted for Blacks in Government, Inc.
Signed by: Farell Chiles for Gregory Reeves
President
Date: October 22, 2003
Approved and Accepted for the Food and Drug Administration
Signed by: Mark B. McClellan, M.D., Ph.D.
Commissioner of Food and Drugs
Date: October 22, 2003