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 302, 29 U.S.C. 774.

OBJECTIVES:

To support special seminars, institutes, workshops, and other short-term courses in technical matters relating to the delivery of vocational, medical, social, and psychological services.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:

Project Grants. Place Cursor Here for Definition

Applicant Eligibility: State vocational rehabilitation agencies (including territories/possessions), and other public or nonprofit agencies and organizations, including institutions of higher education may apply.

Beneficiary Eligibility: Individuals preparing for or employed in positions relating to the rehabilitation of individuals with disabilities will benefit. Projects under this program are designed to provide short-term training and technical instruction in areas of special significance to the delivery of vocational, medical, social, and psychological rehabilitation services.

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: 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 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: New applications are made to the Department of Education, Application Control Center, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20202-4725. Attention: 84.246. Continuation applications are submitted to the appropriate Regional Office listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog. This program is subject to the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-110.

Award Procedure: With the exception of grants identified as "national significance," new and continuation grants are awarded by the Rehabilitation Services Administration through its regional offices. All new applications are reviewed by a panel of at least three individuals. Each panel will generally include two or more nonfederal consultants with experience and training in the proposed area of short-term training.

Deadlines: Contact the Rehabilitation Services Administration's headquarters or regional offices for application deadlines.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time: The range is from 120 to 160 days.

Appeals: None.

Renewals: Renewals are available only through the new application process. 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 adequate performance.

Formula and Matching Requirements: A grantee must contribute to the cost of a project under this program in an amount that satisfies the Secretary. The part of the costs to be borne by the grantee is determined by the Secretary at the time of the award.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance: Projects are generally supported for one to three years. Funds are granted on a twelve month basis. Renewals are subject to the availability of funds.

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

Audits: Audits must be conducted on a continuing basis or at scheduled intervals, usually once a year, but at least once every 2 years. 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: Proper records must be maintained for three years after project completion or until all audit questions are resolved.

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

Obligations: (Grants) FY 01 $500,000; FY 02 est $500,000; and FY 03 est $500,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:
To be determined.

Funds have been used to conduct training activities on the work incentive provisions of the Social Security Act and on student financial assistance and support programs in institutions of higher education for individuals with disabilities.

Regulations can be found in 34 CFR 390.

Regional or Local Office: None.

Headquarters Office: Tom Finch, Department of Education, OSERS Rehabilitation Services Administration, 400 Maryland Ave., SW,, Washington, District of Columbia 20202 Email: tom.finch@ed.gov Phone: (202) 245-7343.

Web Site Address:  
https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/rsa/index.html?src=mr

Funded projects have provided curriculum materials and training in rehabilitation leadership.

Quality of key personnel, plan of operation, budget and cost-effectiveness, adequacy of resources, evidence of need, relevance to the State/Federal rehabilitation service program, and nature and scope of training program content are included in the selection criteria.