Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID) Newborn Screening Implementation Program

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This announcement solicits applications for the Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID) Newborn Screening Implementation Program.  The purpose of this program is to enhance, improve or expand the ability of state and local public health agencies (including territories and tribes) to screen for SCID as part of their newborn screening program, as well as to assist in providing health care professionals and newborn screening laboratory personnel with education and training in newborn screening for SCID, and support the development and dissemination of appropriate education and training materials for parents, families, patient advocacy and support groups, resulting in a greater number of newborns that are screened, identified, and referred for treatment for SCID.  This initiative will focus on addressing the need to increase the number of newborns with SCID   receiving life-saving treatments by: 1) assuring the early and accurate laboratory detection of the disorder in newborns; 2) expanding laboratory capacity for SCID newborn screening including funding costs needed to bring a molecular test on-line (such as utilizing HRSA funding to purchase laboratory equipment, reagents, etc.) in order to implement SCID testing; 3) increasing the number of laboratory scientists with knowledge and skill in conducting newborn screening for SCID; 4) providing training for the public health community (e.g., laboratory scientists, healthcare providers, newborn screening program officials, primary care physicians) about newborn screening tests for SCID; 5) fostering integration of SCID screening into newborn screening programs; and 6) developing appropriate education and training materials for families and public health and health care professionals relevant to the screening and treatment of SCID and related disorders.

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