FEDERAL AGENCY:

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

AUTHORIZATION:

Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, Title III, Section 303. 20 U.S.C. 777a and 797a.

To provide financial assistance to projects and demonstrations for expanding and improving the provision of rehabilitation and other services authorized under the Act or that further the purposes of the Act, including related research and evaluation activities.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:

Project Grants. Place Cursor Here for Definition

Applicant Eligibility: Eligible applicants are States and public or nonprofit organizations. Grants cannot be made directly to individuals.

Beneficiary Eligibility: Individuals with disabilities.

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, and A-122 for nonprofit organizations.

Pre-application Coordination: This program is subject to the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-102. 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.

Application Procedure: Applications should be submitted to the Department of Education, Application Control Center. Attention: (CFDA 84-235), 600 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20202. The standard application kit as furnished by the Federal agency and required by OMB Circular No. A-102 must be used for this program. ED No. 80-0013 must also be submitted.

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

Deadlines: Contact the headquarters office, RSA, for application deadlines. Deadlines are published in the Federal Register.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time: The range is approximately 150 to 180 days.

Appeals: None.

Renewals: Projects with multi-year periods may be continued based on annual review of accomplishments and availability of adequate funds. Renewals are available through the continuation application process.

Formula and Matching Requirements: This program has no statutory formula or matching requirements.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance: Grants are awarded for up to 60 months. Renewals are subject to the availability of funds.

Reports: As required by the Education Department General Administrative Regulations (34 CFR 75). Generally annual performance reports are required.

Audits: See 34 CFR 74.26. Institutions of higher education and nonprofit organizations are subject to the audit requirements of OMB Circular No. A-133. State and local government are subject to the requirements in the Single Audit Act and the ED regulations.

Records: As required by EDGAR for direct grant programs (34 CFR 75). Generally records related to grant funds, compliance, and performance must be maintained for a period of 5 years after completion.

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

Obligations: (Grants and Contracts) FY 01 $21,092,000; FY 02 est $21,238,000; and FY 03 est $17,492,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance: Not available.

In addition to providing direct services to individuals with disabilities, special demonstration programs contribute to the development of innovative methods and service programs designed to improve the vocational outcomes of individuals with disabilities. Anecdotal evidence from projects funded under Section 303 suggests that certain projects have been successful in demonstrating rehabilitation methods that are disseminated and replicated or adapted by other service providers. For example, one project developed innovative approaches to the transition of young adults with severe disabilities. In addition to placing and maintaining in employment approximately 60 individuals with disabilities, the project has created and disseminated training materials that provided technical assistance to projects nationwide on the natural support approach to the transition of individuals with disabilities.

Regulations: (A) The Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR 74, 75, 77, 79, 80, 81, 82, 85, and 86; and (B) the regulations for this program in 34 CFR 369 and 376 (transition) apply.

Regional or Local Office: State Vocational Rehabilitation Offices or the RSA Regional Offices. See Appendix IV of the Catalog for a list of regional offices.

Headquarters Office: Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration, Switzer Building, 330 C Street, SW., Washington, DC 20202. Contact: Thomas Finch. Telephone: (202) 205- 8292.

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

Funded projects include: projects to increase client choice; projects providing services to people with severe mental illness; projects servicing low-functioning adults that are deaf or hard of hearing disorders; projects to provide services to individuals with disabilities, and projects to provide services to youths with disabilities.

Funding priorities are published in the Federal Register. Applications for discretionary grants are subject to peer review procedures leading to recommendations for approval or disapproval by Federal and nonfederal experts. Criteria for evaluating applications are published in program and department regulations (34 CFR 369).