FEDERAL AGENCY:

OFFICE OF ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

AUTHORIZATION:

Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, Title III, Sections 304 and 305, 29 U.S.C. 775 and 777b.

To provide discretionary grant funds to State vocational rehabilitation agencies and public nonprofit organizations for special projects and demonstrations which hold promise of expanding and otherwise improving services to individuals with disabilities over and above those provided by the Basic Support Program administered by States.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:

Project Grants. Place Cursor Here for Definition

Applicant Eligibility: Recreational projects are awarded to States, public agencies and nonprofit organizations. Grants cannot be made directly to individuals. Migrant and seasonal farm worker projects are funded by grants to a State designated agency (including territories/possessions) and to nonprofit and local agencies in collaboration with the State agencies.

Beneficiary Eligibility: Individuals with disabilities and individuals with significant disabilities as defined in Sections 7(9)(A)(B) and 7(20)(A), respectively, of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.

Credentials/Documentation: Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87 for State and local governments. Costs will also be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-21 for educational institutions.

Pre-application Coordination: This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review. The standard application forms as furnished by the Federal agency and required by OMB Circular No. A-102 must be used for this program.

Application Procedure: Applications should be submitted to the Department of Education, Application Control Center, 600 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20202-4725, or in certain cases to the appropriate RSA Regional Commissioner, OSERS. The standard application forms as furnished by the Federal agency and required by OMB Circular No. A-102 must be used for this program. This programs is subject to the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-110.

Award Procedure: Awards are made on approval of the Commissioner of Rehabilitation Services and the Assistant Secretary, OSERS for new projects.

Deadlines: Contact the headquarters or regional offices for application deadlines. Deadlines are published in the Federal Register.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time: Approximately 120 to 150 days.

Appeals: None.

Renewals: Projects with an approved multi-year project period may be continued based on the availability of adequate funds and an annual review of accomplishments to determine satisfactory performance. Renewals are available only through a new application process.

Formula and Matching Requirements: Generally matching is required; the Migratory Worker program requires 10 percent matching. The Federal share of the costs of the Recreation program shall be 100 percent for the first year, 75 percent for the second year, and 50 percent for the third year with corresponding matching requirements for the second and third years. There are no matching requirements for the supported employment program.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance: Project support may be available for up to three to five years depending upon satisfactory performance and availability of funds. Funds are granted on a 12- month basis.

Reports: Annual financial reports and progress reports must be submitted as prescribed by grant award terms and conditions.

Audits: In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A- 133 (Revised, June 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $300,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $300,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.

Records: Fiscal records must be maintained for the periods of time specified in the grant award.

Account Identification: 91-0301-0-1-506.

Obligations: FY 01 $2,350,000 (migrant and seasonal farm workers); $2,596,000 (recreational); FY 02 est $2,350,000 (migrant and seasonal farm workers); $2,596,000 (recreational); and FY 03 est $2,350,000 (migrant and seasonal farm workers); $2,596,000 (recreational).

Range and Average of Financial Assistance: Not available; they vary too greatly by program.

Rehabilitation service projects complement the basic State Grant Program. In fiscal year 2001, there were 24 recreational projects and 15 migrant and seasonal farm workers projects.

34 CFR 369. Specific guidelines and literature may be obtained from the RSA headquarters offices.

Regional or Local Office: The RSA Regional Offices. See Appendix IV of the Catalog for list of regional offices.

Headquarters Office: Rehabilitation Services Administration, Department of Education, Switzer Building, 330 C Street, SW., Washington, DC 20202. Contact: Mary Chambers. Telephone: (202) 205-8435.

Web Site Address:  http://www.ed.gov/offices/OSERS/RSA.

An outreach effort to identify and provide necessary vocational rehabilitation services for migrant and seasonal farm workers with disabilities. Assist persons with significant disabilities returning to the community to achieve the optimal vocational adjustment of which they are capable. Provide recreational services to individuals with disabilities a priority to integrate these individuals into regular recreation programs.

Funding priorities are announced in the Federal Register. Grants for migrant and seasonal farm worker projects are made to a designated State agency and to nonprofit and local agencies working in collaboration with the State agencies. Applications for discretionary grants are subjected to peer review procedures leading to recommendations for approval or disapproval by Federal and nonfederal experts. Criteria for evaluating applications are published in program regulations 34 CFR 75.210.