To provide independent
living services to individuals with significant disabilities to assist them to
function more independently in family and community settings, by developing
and supporting a statewide network of centers for independent living.
TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:
Project Grants. Place Cursor Here for Definition
USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:
Federal funds are used for the establishment and operation of centers for
independent living which offer a combination of services. Services must
include independent living core services which mean information and referral
services, training in independent living skills, peer counseling, individual
and systems advocacy, and as appropriate, a combination of any other
independent living services specified in Title II of the Rehabilitation Act.
Each center must have a governing board composed of a majority of persons with
significant disabilities. The majority of the staff and individuals in
decision making positions must be individuals with disabilities. Not less than
1.8 percent and not more than two percent of Federal funds appropriated for
the program must be reserved to provide training and technical assistance
under contracts with entities experienced in the operation of centers for
independent living.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
Applicant Eligibility: The principal eligible applicants are the
private nonprofit agencies that received funding directly or through sub-grants
or contracts under the Centers for Independent Living program in fiscal year
1992. If funds remain available after all principal eligible applicants have
been funded, other centers for independent living (as defined in Section 702 of
the Rehabilitation Act) and State agencies may receive funding based on
satisfactory applications (including territories and outlying areas).
Beneficiary Eligibility: Individuals with significant physical, mental
cognitive, or sensor impairments whose ability to function independently in the
family or community or whose ability to obtain, maintain, or advance in
employment is substantially limited. Eligibility shall not be based on the
presence of any one or more specific significant disabilities.
Credentials/Documentation: Costs will be determined in accordance with
OMB Circular No. A-87 for State and local governments. Costs will 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: This program is subject to the provisions of
OMB Circular No. A-110. Applications for new awards from eligible agencies
should be submitted to the Department of Education, Application Control Center,
600 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20202-4725, unless otherwise directed
in the Federal Register Announcement.
Award Procedure: New awards are made on approval of the Commissioner
of Rehabilitation Services Administration, and the Assistant Secretary of OSERS,
based on the findings of Federal and nonfederal reviews of applications to
ensure the applicants satisfactorily demonstrate that they have met the
standards and assurances described in Section 725 (b) and (c) the Rehabilitation
Act.
Deadlines: Contact headquarters or regional offices for application
deadlines.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time: From 60 to 90 days.
Appeals: None.
Renewals: Projects may be continued based on a self-evaluation report
activities, and accomplishments as described in the Center's self-evaluation and
annual report requirements under Section 725 (c)(8) of the Act, submittal of a
continuation application, and the availability of funds. Renewals are available
through the regular continuation application process and are processed through
the headquarter and the regional offices. Renewals are subject to the
availability of appropriations.
ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:
Formula and Matching Requirements: No minimum share is required, but
each applicant is encouraged to furnish as large a part of the total cost as
possible.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance: Existing projects are approved
on an annual basis with funding on a twelve month basis. New projects are funded
for five years with funding approved on a 12-month basis. Renewals are subject
to the availability of funds.
POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Reports: Annual and fiscal progress reports and self-evaluations (A-F
Reports) must be submitted as prescribed by Section 725 (c)(8) of the
Rehabilitation Act, and 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 3 years after the grant
ends and the final financial report is submitted or until all audit questions
are resolved.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION:
Account Identification: 91-0301-0-1-506.
Obligations: (Grants) FY 01 $58,000,000; FY 02 est $62,500,000; and FY
03 est $69,500,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance: Range: $611,000 to
$5,522,000. Average: $1,072,000.
In fiscal year 2001, grants supported the operation of 306 centers.
REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:
Section 721 of the Rehabilitation Act, as amended, Program Regulations at 34
CFR 364 and 366.
INFORMATION CONTACTS:
Regional or Local Office: Appropriate Regional Commissioners,
Rehabilitation Services Administration. See Appendix IV of the Catalog for a
list of regional offices.
Headquarters Office: Rehabilitation Services Administration, Switzer
Building, 330 C Street, SW., Washington, DC 20202-2575. Contact: Brenda
Bacergeay. Telephone: (202) 205-8292 (Voice) or (202) 205-8352 (TT).
Web Site Address: http://www.ed.gov/offices/OSERS/RSA/PGMS/cil.html.
EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:
Provided services vary from one center to another. Centers provide a
combination of services, including: information and referral; independent
living skills training; individual and systems advocacy; counseling services;
housing; rehabilitation technology; mobility training; life skills training;
interpreter and reader services; personal assistance services; accessible
transportation; supported living; therapeutic treatment; provision of
prostheses and other devices; and other services described in Section 7
(30)(B) of the Rehabilitation Act.
CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:
Selection criteria for this program include extent of need for the project,
past performance, satisfaction of the standards and assurances set forth in
Section 725, quality of key personnel, budget and cost-effectiveness, evaluation
plan, plan of operation, and involvement of individuals with significant
disabilities. Criteria for evaluating applications are published in program
regulations at 34 CFR 366.
